Articles Posted in Drug Charges

In February of this year, three brothers who are triplets were sentenced in connection with a Buena Vista Township incident involving unarmed robbery and other charges including assault with intent to commit murder. Deshawn, Devon, and Juronn Shivers were all sentenced in the case, Deshawn and Juronn to probation, Devon to imprisonment until at least 2042. Now, Juronn may be joining his brother in prison if convicted of new charges involving drugs and fleeing police, according to a news article at Mlive.com.

On November 11, Michigan State Police troopers witnessed Juronn Shivers driving at excessive speeds in the Brookwood area on Saginaw’s southeast side. Lt. Brian Cole said that when troopers initiated a traffic stop, Shivers complied; however, upon troopers approaching the vehicle, the suspect took off and a chase ensued which resulted in damage to multiple patrol vehicles. Eventually Shivers’ vehicle was stopped after troopers implemented a PIT maneuver.

Shivers had been charged by prosecutors in late October with a misdemeanor count of possessing marijuana, and felony count of possession of less than 25 grams of cocaine in connection to an April incident in Saginaw. Shivers had since remained at large on that warrant.

The defendant has been arraigned on the marijuana and cocaine charges, and was arraigned on Friday, December 13 on the fleeing/eluding charges. Third-degree fleeing and eluding police carries a maximum of five years in prison for those convicted. If convicted on the marijuana and cocaine charges, Shivers may face up to four years in prison for the felony charge.

While fleeing and eluding police is a very serious offense, drug crimes are also extremely serious in the state of Michigan. Certain offenses involving the manufacture and distribution, sale, or delivery of Schedule 1 or 2 drugs may leave an individual facing a lifetime behind bars if convicted.

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In August of this year, Scot Granke’s farm in Arlington Township was raided after authorities received a tip from the Paw Paw teacher’s estranged wife claiming that Granke, a licensed medical marijuana grower, was manufacturing more than his license allowed. Granke is also accused of manufacturing hashish, and is expected to be back in court this week.

Granke was arrested and charged with one count of manufacturing marijuana, one count of manufacturing hash, and four counts of possessing an unlicensed handgun in October. Members of the Michigan State Police Southwest Enforcement Team raided Granke’s farm, which resulted in the finding of 66 marijuana plants, 18 more than the defendant’s license allowed. Authorities also located one pound of possessed marijuana. The maximum Granke is allowed under his license is 15 ounces, according to news reports. Police allege that Granke told them he manufactured hashish butter due to the fact that it was easier for his clients to take.

Lt. Kevin Wiley described what officers uncovered at Granke’s farm as a “very large, complex marijuana and hash manufacturing operation.”

Granke, who is 50 years old, is a teacher at a Paw Paw middle school and father of three children ages 6, 17, and 19.

Two of the charges against Granke are felonies; if convicted, the middle school teacher may face substantial fines and several years in prison. Each of the felony manufacturing counts is punishable by up to seven years in prison, with fines of as much as $500,000. News reports indicate that he may be in court on December 16 to determine if a plea agreement can be worked out; if not, a preliminary exam is scheduled for December 18.

In many cases, defendants who agree to plead guilty or no contest to criminal charges will face reduced penalties. It is important to note that it is not advised all people who are accused of drug crimes should plead, as it may be more advantageous to go to trial depending on the circumstances of each individual case.

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Ashley Baker, a 27-year-old Watervliet resident, was charged with four counts each of felony operating a motor vehicle with any amount of controlled substance in her system causing death and misdemeanor committing a moving violation causing death in connection with a February 16 crash which left four people dead. Baker’s trial began on Tuesday, December 10 according to a news article at Mlive.com.

Four women were killed When Baker’s Dodge Caravan failed to stop at a stop sign, striking the Buick Lucerne the victims were riding in. The accident occurred at the intersection of 66th Avenue and County Road 687 in Hartford Township. Baker had a passenger in the vehicle with her, and told police that icy road conditions made her unable to stop at the intersection. A blood test was performed which revealed marijuana was in Baker’s system at the time of the crash.

Van Buren County Prosecutor Michael Bedford authorized charges against Baker in April after THC, a chemical in marijuana, was detected in blood tests. The amount of THC in the defendant’s bloodstream was not specified in the charges against Baker, however Bedford said that any amount present is sufficient to support the charge of operating while intoxicated causing death.

Those killed in the accident include Kathyn Maya, Lou Ann Holcomb, Celeste Phillips, and Charlotte Sieber. Baker and her passenger were not injured.

If convicted of operating while intoxicated causing death, Baker will face penalties which include up to 15 years in prison.

In Michigan, offenses involving drugs including marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, and other Schedule 1 or 2 drugs or narcotics are punished harshly. Prosecutors and police crack down hard on those suspected of using, possessing, or manufacturing/distributing illegal substances.

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Recently, a tip from an individual led Michigan State Police to discover a meth lab and possible home invasion in Farwell, according to a news article at The Morning Sun. On Monday December 9, police responded to the call at a vacant home which was in the vicinity of three public schools; upon entering the residence which had been broken in to, officers discovered three individuals along with a meth lab.

In total, four people were arrested on drug charges and home invasion. The individuals include an 18-year-old woman, 25-year-old woman, 22-year-old man, and 48-year-old man. All of those arrested are reportedly from Farwell.

Clare County Sheriff John S. Wilson thanked the citizen who called in the tip and said in a statement “It’s the concern of our great neighbors that keep each other safe.” The vacant home where the meth lab was located was said to be within a few blocks of three schools and the city library.

Following the discovery of the meth lab, the area was cleaned up by members of the Bay Area Narcotics Meth Lab Response Team. All four of the individuals arrested were taken to the Clare County Jail. They were scheduled to be arraigned on Tuesday, December 10.

In the state of Michigan, manufacturing meth is an extremely serious charge, as is home invasion. Individuals convicted of manufacturing methamphetamines may face up to 20 years in prison, fines of up to $25,000, driver’s license suspension, and more. Other factors may impact the criminal penalties an individual faces, including whether the meth lab is located in close proximity of a school, church, park, or home. In addition,

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48-year-old Bethany Murk of Geneva Township was recently arrested and charged with several counts including domestic violence, possession of scheduled prescription medications, felony possession of marijuana, and resisting and obstructing a police officer, according to news reports at Mlive.com.

Deputies were called to the residence located in the 61000 block of CR-380 on allegations of domestic violence made by Murk’s son and daughter-in-law. A Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office news release stated that deputies spoke with the alleged victims upon arriving at the home before interviewing the suspect in a separate area of the house.

Upon interviewing Murk, deputies noticed several drug-related items which included marijuana pipes, bongs, loose and bagged marijuana. When asked about the items, Murk claimed that it was legal for her to possess the drug paraphernalia because she was a medical marijuana patient and caregiver. She produced cards to prove her claim. Deputies sent Murk to get “appropriately” dressed while they were checking on the validity of the cards; at this point, she attempted to flee police by running out the front door. According to authorities, the Medical Marijuana cards proved to be either unverified or expired.

Deputies caught Murk before she escaped, and ultimately seized more drugs and paraphernalia including approximately 81 5 mg Valium pills, 11.8 ounces of marijuana, two marijuana pipes, and two bongs.

Michigan drug crime attorneys know the serious consequences individuals face when charged with an offense such as marijuana possession. In fact, possessing even a small amount of marijuana may leave the accused facing up to one year in jail and fines of up to $2,000 if convicted. Considering the defendant in this case was found in possession of scheduled prescription drugs, she will likely face even harsher penalties.

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In October of 2012, a vehicle was stopped by an Ingham County Sheriff’s Deputy near Lansing on I-96. Upon searching the vehicle, the deputy found crack and powder cocaine. Two Lansing men were arrested, 42-year-old Rogelio Ruiz, and 37-year-old Gilbert Albarez.

Albarez and Ruiz were transporting the three kilos of powder and crack cocaine to Lansing after picking the drugs up in Columbus, Ohio, according to FBI investigators. Two other suspects in the case were netted after the FBI set up a “reverse sting” operation in which the drugs were returned to the source. Israel Mendez was arrested in October 2012 after coming to Lansing to pick up the drugs. The supplier of the cocaine, Luis Edwards, was arrested in March of this year as he crossed the U.S./Mexico border in Hidalgo, Texas.

Albarez and Ruiz both pleaded guilty in federal court last month to possession of cocaine and crack cocaine with intent to distribute. The two men are currently awaiting sentencing. Israel Mendez, a resident of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison in August after being found guilty by a jury in April of possession with intent to distribute the cocaine and crack cocaine.

Just over a week ago, Luis Edwards was sentenced to 15 years and eight months in federal prison, according to U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Miles.

Possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, sell, or deliver is a serious criminal offense in the state of Michigan. In fact, when more than 1 kilogram is involved, the criminal penalties include up to life in prison, with possible fines of up to $1 million dollars. In criminal cases, a defendant will often get a lighter sentence by pleading guilty, however this is a decision that should be made only after discussing your situation with a seasoned Michigan drug crimes attorney, and careful review of the circumstances. Depending on the specifics of your case, there may be grounds for dismissal of the charges, or factors which would indicate going to trial may be a better option.

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Recently Eric Mays, Flint City Councilman who was elected to the council for the First Ward in November, was arrested for allegedly possessing marijuana and operating under the influence of alcohol. According to news reports, the incident took place early Saturday morning November 30 when police discovered Mays changing a flat tire on I-475.

Police had been dispatched to the scene after receiving reports of a vehicle north of Carpenter Road on I-475 north having four flat tires. When Flint police arrived they were met by Genesee Township officers. Mays was allegedly driving northward in the southbound lanes.

Flint Police Chief James Tolbert issued a news release which stated Mays was additionally cited for failure to submit to fingerprinting and no proof of insurance. Mays was placed in the Flint City Lockup pending his arraignment, which had not been set at the time of news reports.

Crimes involving marijuana or any illegal drug in Michigan are prosecuted vigorously. Even when an individual is caught smoking marijuana, he or she could face a fine of $100 and up to 90 days in jail. While marijuana possession is a misdemeanor offense, the penalties for those convicted may include fines of up to $2,000 and up to one year in jail. Certain factors may leave you facing more serious criminal penalties including criminal history, whether the alleged offense occurred within close proximity of a school, park, or church, whether a weapon was present, and more.

Unfortunately for Mr. May, the alleged crimes of OUIL and marijuana possession may be more damaging to his reputation and career than anything else. This case is a prime example of how anyone, regardless of standing in the community, may be charged with a drug or alcohol related crime.

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Michigan State Police have seen the use of large meth labs on the decline over the past decade, according to a recent news article at Mlive.com. However, police believe the one-pot method which is an easier and faster way to produce methamphetamine may be on the rise.

In the past, makers of meth often used methods which included the use of Anhydrous Ammonia, red phosphorus, and Phenyl02 Propanone. With the one-pot method, ingredients are mixed in a plastic bottle, such as a soda bottle. MSP say that over the past couple of years, this method has remained steady or perhaps even increased a bit.

Lt. Dave Cook, Michigan State Police Detective and commander of JNET (Jackson Narcotic Enforcement Team), said that the “shake-and-bake” or one-pot method takes less time, making it possible to create meth in under an hour as compared to the approximate four hour time span it would take to manufacture meth using the old methods. One-pot meth-making methods are also portable; many people make methamphetamine in their vehicles, after purchasing the ingredients at the store.

The methods previously used in making methamphetamine often resulted in lab explosions, because of the pressure the chemicals used in the process were under. There are also dangers with making meth in plastic bottles, according to the article. Components can corrode the plastic, resulting in a highly flammable, pressurized steam of acidic chemicals which shoot out of the bottle, possibly resulting in injury caused by fire or contamination. Jackson Police Department Lt. Elmer Hitt compared the reaction of water and lithium when contacting with air to that of a flamethrower.

Police are trained on how to identify meth labs, according to Hitt, who said that once the components of a one-pot lab are identified, JNET is called in so that the components can be collected and properly disposed of using containers which are Hazmat approved.

Whether in an old-style lab or using the one-pot method, manufacturing methamphetamine is a serious criminal offense in Michigan which is punished harshly. Depending on the amount of drug involved and other factors, an individual accused of manufacturing meth could face up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $25,000 if convicted. Drivers license suspension and a Child Protective Services investigation to determine whether your parenting rights should be terminated are also possibilities.

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In January, we wrote about a crackdown on drug activity and violent crime in the northwest Lansing area. The alleged activity was being investigated by the ATF and Lansing police; in all, 19 individuals were arrested for various federal drug and firearm offenses. Now, 24-year-old Merza Mizori has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for crack cocaine distribution after being found guilty of distributing more than 28 grams of the Schedule 2 drug.

Lansing Police Chief Michael Yankowski said in an announcement that since the arrest of the group in the Mount Vernon area in January of this year, a departmental crime analysis demonstrated there had been an 80% decrease in calls for police service to the area. Yankowski said in a January news article that he believed the 19 arrested in the sweep of the area were responsible for a large percentage of Lansing’s crime over the past two years.

Once released from prison, Mizori will face five additional years of supervised release according to news reports.

A press release issued by U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Miles office states that Serwan Mizori, Merza Mizori’s brother, was sentenced to 20 years in prison and five years’ supervised release.

In all, ten of the 19 individuals involved were indicted at the federal level, nine were indicted at the state level. Merza Mizori’s street name is “Money Merz,” according to a news article at the Lansing State Journal. Officials began investigating the group in 2010, following a heavy volume of reports related to gun violence and drug trafficking.

Michigan cracks down hard on drug offenders, particularly those suspected of trafficking or distributing illegal drugs and narcotics. Considering Mizori’s current age, he will be about 50 years old before he is released from prison.

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On Thursday November 21, BAYANET (Bay Area Narcotics Enforcement Team) detectives executed a search warrant at a home in Mount Pleasant, according to news reports at Mlive.com. The detectives searched a residence near East Henry on North Adams while investigating the suspected sale of heroin. Upon searching the residence, investigators seized $3,000 worth of heroin packaged in 110 individual packages.

In the course of searching the residence, detectives seized $680 in cash, a loaded shotgun, and a small amount of marijuana in addition to 13.4 grams of heroin. Police state that after seizing the drugs and other items, one woman and two men were arrested. Those arrested include 36-year-old Jody Jean Jackson of Mt. Pleasant, 42-year-old John Stefon Holmes of Saginaw, and 23-year-old Laron Dale Clark of Flint. The three are currently incarcerated in Isabella County, according to The Morning Sun.

The three face multiple charges, including delivery of a controlled substance on or within 1,000 feet of school property, possession of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school property, maintaining a drug house, possession of marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school property, and delivery/manufacture of cocaine, heroin, or other narcotic less than 50 grams. According to court records, Jackson has a previous conviction for marijuana possession, and was put on second-offense notice. Holmes and Clark also had previous convictions related to weapons and drug offenses.

The affidavit supporting the complaint for a warrant to search the home states that the three individuals were arrested after undercover officers conducted controlled purchases of substances. These substances were tested and allegedly contained heroin. The undercover officers made the controlled buys on November 13 and November 20.

Michigan State Police, Mount Pleasant Police Department, and the Isabella County Emergency Services Team assisted BAYANET detectives in the search of the home.

Michigan drug crime defense attorneys know that without capable legal support, these individuals potentially face a substantial number of years in prison if convicted. In fact, delivery of narcotics on or within 1,000 feet of school property is a felony offense which could result in a maximum prison sentence of 60 years. Possession with intent to deliver less than 50 grams of heroin is a felony offense which could leave the defendant facing up to 40 years in prison if convicted.

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