MARQUETTE — One of three people arrested on robbery charges in August entered a plea agreement Friday in Marquette County Circuit Court.

Jordan Steinhausen, 18, of Escanaba pleaded guilty to one count of larceny of a person as an aider and abetter. Five other counts were dropped as part of the plea agreement.

Steinhausen and two other males were arrested in August after a series of armed robberies were committed in Marquette and Delta Counties. He will be back in court for sentencing on January 20th.

Sentencing stipulations were made in the plea agreement and Steinhausen will serve no less than 36 months in prison with no special alternative for incarceration. He is awaiting charges in Delta County as well and his sentences will run concurrently.

Steinhausen and his co-defendants, 18-year-old Tristen Snow, 18-year-old Jaccob Jones were all arrested by the Marquette County Sheriff’s August after robbery attempts at a hotel and gas station.

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CRYSTAL FALLS — An Alpha resident charged with open murder declined to have his preliminary exam Monday morning in Iron County Trial Court.

Alfred Saario, 65, is charged with Open Murder and Discharging a firearm at or into a building resulting in death after he allegedly shot and killed his step-daughter, Jamie Lee James, 29, of Alpha on June 3rd.

By waiving his prelim, Saario is next scheduled to appear in Iron County Circuit Court on January 3rd, 2017 for a pretrial hearing. He remains in jail on a $500,000 bond.

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HOUGHTON — A Chicago area man arrested last week after a drug bust conducted by the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team (UPSET) has been identified.

Fountaine Gordon, 38, faces three drug felony charges, including delivery, manufacture of heroin, cocaine, less than 50 grams. Gordon was arrested on November 30th at the Super 8 Hotel in Houghton.

UPSET Detectives seized over eight grams of heroin, $500 and numerous prescription narcotics from Gordon’s room. His preliminary exam is scheduled for December 14th.

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HOUGHTON — The Western Upper Peninsula has a new team in the fight against drugs.

The drug problem in the western U.P. continues to escalate and now law enforcement has a team in place to combat the growing epidemic. The Upper Peninsula Drug Enforcement Team’s newest addition-UPSET West-will focus on narcotics investigation in the region.

Lt. Randi Danison of the MSP Calumet Post said, “Uniformed people don’t really have enough time to go out and do the investigations, where an undercover team that is dedicated to working the narcotics investigation, would have time to work on
them all the time and that’s the reason why we came up with the concept, or the development of getting the UPSET West team put in this area, so they can work strictly and directly with just narcotics.”

The Portage Health Foundation provided the initial funding which was quickly followed up with contributions from Houghton County and the State of Michigan. Major contributors included Aspirus Keweenaw and U.P. Health System Portage, Baraga Memorial Hospital, Michigan Tech, as well as various local municipalities.

Portage Health Foundation Executive Director Kevin Store said, “The counties came together, the small townships and villages came together and, whether it was a $100 anonymous donation or the larger contributions we received from our
corporate sponsors, it all added up.”

The team is funded for the first three years but will need the support from the communityto continue beyond that. Store said, People need to open up their eyes. They need to really wake up to how serious of a health issue this is for our community and there’s a lot of people that go through our streets and walk down our streets and don’t recognize that this is a
serious issue-not just in our country but it’s here at home and we need to address it.”

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ALGER COUNTY — A man was found guilty for criminal sexual conduct involving a juvenile less than 13 years of age in Alger County.

Thomas Arthur Lemoine was arrested in April of this year after an investigation by the Michigan State Police was conducted in December of 2015, confirming that the suspect assaulted the victim at an AuTrain campground in July of 2014.

Lemoine was found guilty of second degree criminal sexual conduct on December 2nd. Lemoine was taken into custody and will remain in the Alger County Jail until his sentencing in January of 2017.

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IRON MOUNTAIN — The fight against meth continues here in the U.P. One Upper Peninsula man was sentenced Tuesday for his role in dealing with the dangerous drug.

Joshua Faccio, 26, received 12 months in jail and two years probation on one count of possession of meth. This was Faccio’s second run-in with the law this year.

He pleaded guilty to a domestic violence charge in Dickinson County District Court back in April. Faccio was given credit for 99 days he’s already served in jail.

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LANSING –State  Sen. Tom Casperson and the family of Barbara and Thomas Swift joined Gov. Rick Snyder on Tuesday for a special bill-signing ceremony at the Capitol for Senate Bill 434, now Public Act 243 of 2016, which became law in June.

The Barbara J. and Thomas J. Swift Law creates a one-year pilot program that will allow trained law enforcement officers to administer a saliva test to drivers suspected of being under the influence of drugs. Under Casperson’s bill and the companion SB 207, sponsored by Sen. Phil Pavlov, R-St. Clair Township, trained Michigan State Police troopers will be permitted to test suspected drugged drivers with a preliminary oral fluid test.

According to the Michigan State Police, more than 36 percent of all traffic fatalities involve alcohol or drugs. In 2013, the department reported 86 traffic fatalities involving marijuana, two of which were Tom and Barbara Swift, the law’s namesakes, who were residents of Casperson’s hometown.

The Swifts were killed in a traffic crash after being hit by a driver who had THC in their system.

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MARQUETTE — Police in the City of Marquette are looking for information on the subject shown in the photo above.

If you recognize this person, police ask that you contact the department via phone at (906) 228-0400 or by private message on their Facebook page. They would like to thank the public for their continued assistance, and commend those who have assisted in previous identifications.

[Photos courtesy Marquette City Police Department]

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MARQUETTE — A Gwinn woman arrested for embezzlement in October has entered a plea agreement.

Forty–four–year old Tracy Spruitenburg pleaded guilty to embezzlement of more than $200 but less than $1,000 Monday in Marquette County District Court. Spruitenburg was arrested by Forsyth Township Police for allegedly stealing a large sum of money from the Pines Condo Association, where she had been treasurer for just over a year.

She is scheduled to be sentenced on February 2nd, 2017.

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ESCANABA — One of five individuals arrested in late October on fraud charges entered a plea agreement Wednesday morning in Delta County Circuit Court.

Sharon Philemon, 59, of Wilson, pleaded guilty to one count of welfare fraud over $500. Her original charge of embezzlement of a vulnerable adult between $1,000-$20,000 was dropped as a result of the plea agreement.

Philemon and four others were arrested by Escanaba Public Safety after a six-month long investigation into the misuse of Social Security funds. She will be sentenced on February 15th, 2017.

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UPDATE — Thursday, December 15th, 2016 10:40 a.m. EST

The Forsyth Township Police Department have identified the victim in the homicide incident that occurred early this morning.

The victim has been identified as Robbin Anne Lampinen, 53 of Gwinn. At 1:00 a.m. on Thursday, Forsyth Township Officers were dispatched to the 300 block of Dart Street on a report of a possible homicide. Evidence at the scene supported it was a stabbing incident.

The suspect has been identified as Darrell Wayne Gutzman, 51 of Marquette. Gutzman had fled the scene prior to officers arrival and the officers worked to identify the suspect along with the vehicle he was driving. The suspect was found around 6:20 a.m. on 4th Street in Ishpeming. A resident alerted officers that the suspect was in her apartment sleeping on the couch, she was made aware of the manhunt through media outlets.

Gutzman was taken into custody without incident and is being lodged at the Marquette County Jail on the charge of open murder. Forsyth Township Police were assisted on the scene by Michigan State Police, Marquette County Sheriff, Ishpeming City Police, the Marquette City Police, and Forsyth Township EMS.

UPDATE — Thursday, December 15th, 2016 7:15 a.m. EST

Detectives from the Forsyth Township Police Department say Gutzman has been taken into custody. They say this is in relation to an isolated incident, and there is no threat to the public. Gutzman is the only person involved. We will have more information as it becomes available.

KI SAWYER — The Forsyth Township Police Department is currently seeking Daryl Gutzman who is wanted for questioning in a homicide.

He is believed to be in a 1998 Chevy pickup with a red door and red tailgate. Police say the back window may be covered with plywood. The possible license plate number is DNL8851.

Police advise if you see him or the vehicle to call 911 immediately and ask you do not approach him.

This is breaking news. No other official information has been released at this time. ABC 10 / CW5 will continue to update this story as information becomes available.

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IRON RIVER — The murder trial of Kelly Cochran scheduled to start on January 30th, 2017 has been pushed back.

Iron County Prosecutor Melissa Powell says a conflict in Iron County Trial Court Judge Joseph Schwedler’s schedule is the reason for the delay.  The trial will now begin on February 13th, 2017. It is expected to last three weeks.

Kelly Cochran faces multiple felony counts in the murder and disappearance of Christopher Regan.

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MARQUETTE — The Marquette Police Department is asking for help recognizing the subject in this photo. If you do recognize this subject, contact the Marquette Police Department at 906-228-0400 or send them a private message on Facebook.

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MARQUETTE — An Ishpeming man accused of criminal sexual conduct with a 14-year-old girl is headed to prison.

Richard Keller, 25, was sentenced to a year and a half to 15 years in prison in Marquette County Circuit Court Friday morning. The sentence was made as part of a plea agreement in which Keller pleaded no contest to one of two third degree criminal sexual conduct charges he faced.

After reading a statement from the victim, Assistant Prosecutor Andrew Griffin argued that the focus of the sentence should be on punishment rather than rehabilitation. He based that argument partly on Keller allegedly telling agents from the Department of Probation and Parole that the offense didn’t occur, but rather he had accepted the plea to avoid a harsher possible sentence upon conviction.

“If he wants to try to portray to family members that this was all a consensual relationship, he needs to remember that it cannot be a consensual relationship with a child,” said Griffin.

Keller was arrested in August by Ishpeming Police after an investigation into his alleged engagement in sexual penetration with the victim in 2014 and 2015.

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MARQUETTE — In late October, Michigan State Police caught up with a suspect who had allegedly invaded a home in Negaunee Township and ran into the woods before apparently running into a tree and knocking himself out. The alleged perpetrator of that ill-fated jog entered a plea agreement in Marquette County Circuit Court Friday morning.

Jacob Roemer, 18, pleaded guilty to first degree home invasion, which is a 20-year felony. A resisting and obstructing charge will be dropped along with a controlled substance charge as a result of the agreement.

As is customary when entering a plea, Circuit Court Judge Jennifer Mazzuchi asked Roemer to describe what he did.

“I broke through the door and caused fear unto the homeowner,” said Roemer.
“You caused fear unto the homeowner?” asked Judge Mazzuchi.
“Yeah,” Roemer replied.

A stipulation of the plea agreement asked for Roemer to be sentenced under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act. If the judge sentences accordingly at the next hearing on January 27th, no conviction will be entered in Roemer’s case, and the court’s disposition will be made non-public.

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MARQUETTE — A man was arrested on seven warrants authorized by the Marquette County Prosecutor’s Office.

Eric Lee Mohler, 23, of Norway was arrested by the Marquette Police Department and NMU Public Safety on Friday. Mohler is charged with 2 felony counts of larceny from a motor vehicle, 1 felony count of breaking and entering of a motor vehicle causing damage, 3 misdemeanor counts of malicious destruction of property, and 1 misdemeanor count of larceny under $200.

The arrest stems from an investigation between the Marquette Police Department and NMU Public Safety after several vehicles in Marquette were broken into and damaged back in January and February of this year. Items such as car stereo’s, CD’s. and electronics were taken from the vehicles.

Mohler is being lodged at the Marquette County jail pending arraignment.

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ESCANABA– A Delta County man charged with possession of meth has entered a plea agreement.

37–year–old Michael Walker of Escanaba pleaded guilty to one charge of possession of meth with a habitual offender notice for his second offense. A charge of aiding and embedding by delivery and manufacture of meth will be dismissed as part of the plea deal.

Walker was arrested along with three others after police discovered a meth lab on North Twelfth Street in October. Walker will be sentenced on February 15th.

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ISHPEMING– A Negaunee man who damaged public school property pleaded guilty Tuesday morning.

Gerald Potvin, 35, pleaded guilty to failure to report an accident and careless driving at the Ishpeming branch of Marquette County District Court. Around $1,000 in damage was done to the concession stand at the Negaunee Public Schools football complex when Potvin struck it with his pickup on the morning of November 6th. Potvin could face up to 90 days in jail and $100 fine.

His sentencing date has not been scheduled yet.

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UPDATE — Thursday, December 22nd, 2016 9:30 a.m. EST

Escanaba Public Safety officers say that customers at El Patron during the incident have notified their agency and will be cooperating in the investigation.

UPDATE — Wednesday, December 21st, 2016 9:50 a.m. EST

Escanaba Public Safety officers are trying to identify customers who were in the El Patron restaurant at the time of the attempted armed robbery incident on Monday morning. Officers are asking customers to come forward and make contact with detectives so more information can be gathered, no matter how minimal the patron feels their observations may have been.

You can contact Escanaba Public Safety by phone (906) 786-5911 or via private message on their Facebook page.

UPDATE — Tuesday, December 20th, 2016 2:45 P.M. EST

ESCANABA — The man involved in the attempted armed robbery has been arraigned.

The suspect has been identified as 21-year old Alejandro Castillo. Castillo has been arraigned on one count of intent to rob, which carries a life penalty and another count of a dangerous weapon, punishable of a felony up to five years. Castillo is also a fugitive from justice and will have a pre-trial conference on January 31st of next year.

Castillo is being held on a $500,000 cash bond or surety. His preliminary exam is scheduled for January 5th.

ESCANABA — A New Mexico man is in jail after restaurant employees thwarted an attempted armed robbery in Escanaba.

Escanaba Public Safety officers say the 21-year-old man was arrested after investigation into a report of a possible breaking and entering at the El Patron restaurant shortly before noon on Monday. According to officers, the suspect had entered the business through the back door while wearing a mask and gloves and brandishing a club. The man allegedly damaged property inside the restaurant as he attempted to reach the cash register. Employees at the restaurant were able to fight off the suspect until Public Safety arrived. The suspect exited the back of the business, and it’s there that he was met by police and taken into custody.

An air soft pistol that the suspect had tucked into his waistband and discarded along with the mask, gloves, and club were recovered at the scene. The suspect was transported to the Escanaba Public Safety office, where investigators found that he was also wanted in New Mexico for armed robbery. He was lodged at the Delta County Jail on a fugitive warrant, and a charge of attempted robbery is being sought through the Delta County Prosecutor’s Office.

Officers say investigation into potential additional crimes is ongoing. The man’s identity is being withheld pending his arraignment in Delta County District Court, which is expected to occur this afternoon.

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FORSYTH TOWNSHIP — a Forsyth Township man has been arrested on the felony charge of child sexually abusive activity.

The Forsyth Township Police arrested Todd Arthur Bartczak, 56, after an investigation into the allegation that Bartczak was enticing a minor in sexually abusive activity for the purpose of producing child sexually abusive material.

Bartczak was arrested at his home on Banshee Street without incident. The charge is a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison. He is being lodged at the Marquette County Jail with bond set at $100,000. The Michigan State Police Computer Crime Unit and Marquette City Police assisted on the scene.

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