GWINN– A Sands Township man was arrested Wednesday night after an alleged domestic dispute.

Authorities were dispatched to the 400 block of Yelle Road shortly before midnight. According to deputies from the Marquette County Sheriff’s Office, the 34–year–old disorderly man was possibly firing at the property owner’s livestock.

He was taken into custody without incident.

Investigation by deputies recovered a weapon on the property.The suspect was charged with operating while intoxicated, reckless use of a firearm, and possession of a firearm while intoxicated.

He is lodged at the Marquette County Jail awaiting arraignment.
No livestock were harmed in the incident.

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MARQUETTE — A man accused of a stabbing incident at a local warming center appeared in Marquette County Circuit Court Thursday morning.

Alan Beauchamp, 51, pleaded not guilty to one count of felonious assault at his arraignment. Beauchamp was arrested last month after he allegedly stabbed a man numerous times with a pair of scissors at the Room at the Inn Warming Center in Marquette.

If convicted of the charge he faces, Beauchamp could be given up to six years in prison. In a letter sent to the court prior to Thursday’s hearing, Beauchamp requested appointment of a different attorney. A hearing to consider that issue along with Beauchamp’s bond will be set in the near future.

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ESCANABA — One man is in jail after authorities found him traveling through Escanaba with a large amount of drugs.

Deputies from the Delta County Sheriff’s Office say they received information Friday regarding a suspicious person who was believed to be traveling from Milwaukee to Marquette. After making contact with the subject, deputies found that he was in possession of a large amount of cocaine, marijuana, and U.S. currency.

The man was taken into custody and lodged at the Delta County Correctional Facility on numerous drug charges. His name is being withheld pending arraignment in Delta County District Court.

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KINGSFORD — One person was arrested after police tracked his footprints from the site of a reported breaking and entering in Kingsford.

Kingsford Public Safety officers say they were dispatched to the 200 block of Maple Street around 3:30 p.m. Thursday to investigate the reported breaking and entering and theft of property. While investigating, officers noticed the footprints leading from the victim’s residence to an apartment on the 100 block of Maple Street. Officers attempted to make contact with the suspect at that apartment, but their attempts were unsuccessful.

Officers were able to gain entry into the apartment with assistance from the Dickinson County Parole Office. The suspect was located there with stolen property from the victim’s residence. Other evidence that allegedly ties the suspect to additional attempted illegal home entries was also gathered at the scene.

The suspect is lodged in the Dickinson County Correctional Center on a parole detainer and on charges of illegal entry and larceny. His name is being withheld pending arraignment in Dickinson County District Court.

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ESCANABA — One man is in jail after crashing into a utility pole Monday afternoon and knocking out power to several restaurants in the area.

Officers from Escanaba Public Safety say they were dispatched the 2200 block of First Avenue North at 3:30 p.m. on a report of a vehicle that had struck a utility pole and trapped the driver inside. Officers observed that the utility pole had snapped from the impact of the collision and that the upper half was on top of the truck. The truck was resting on the ground with the driver’s side down and a male occupant trapped inside.

An investigation into the incident revealed the truck had been traveling westbound on First Avenue North near North 22nd Street when it struck a legally parked vehicle, veered left and subsequently struck the pole. A witness on scene said the truck was speeding.

The power lines were deactivated by the Escanaba City Electric Department so the driver could be removed safely from the vehicle. The twenty-three year old driver refused medical treatment but was arrested for operating under the influence of drugs after officers performed sobriety evaluations on the subject.

The power outage affected Wendy’s, Hudson’s and Elmer’s and they will remain without power for an estimated 20 hours. Authorities are cautioning motorists to avoid this area as it is closed until repairs are made.

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LANSING — A Wisconsin man who posed as a federal officer to commit an armed robbery in Baraga County will remain in prison.

Bernard Fish, 50, was convicted on several counts for trying to extort money from the operators of a marijuana growing operation in Watton in 2013, and holding them prisoner. He was sentenced to spend up to 40 years in prison.

Last spring, an appeals court upheld the conviction, but ordered a review of his sentence. In July, Judge Charles Goodman declined to modify the terms.

Meanwhile, Fish asked the Michigan Supreme Court to review the appellate court decision to uphold the verdict. On Wednesday, in a one-sentence statement, the Michigan Supreme Court turned Fish down.

He remains incarcerated at the Saginaw Correctional Facility.

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CHOCOLAY TOWNSHIP– Some counterfeit $100 bills may be circulating in the area according to the Chocolay Township Police Department.

The bills are marked “for motion picture use only” and are only intended to be used as props. However, police say that they can easily be passed off as real money.

They easily pass the pen test and look extremely realistic. The bills are marked as props in the upper left hand corner, below the presidents portrait as well as in bold lettering to the right of the presidents face.

If you come across these bills, contact your local police department.

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MARQUETTE — A fraud investigation by the Marquette City Police Department has resulted in the arrest of a Gwinn woman.

Chrystal May Thomas, 32, was arrested December 30th on a three count felony warrant for Uttering and Publishing checks. According to police, Thomas was forging business checks from Vultaggio Services, also known as Paisano Paving, for her own personal gain.

Paisano Paving confirmed with ABC 10 that Thomas was employed there at one time. She is no longer with the company.

Thomas was able to post bond and was released. Uttering and Publishing is a felony punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

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CRYSTAL FALLS– A trial date has been set for an Iron County man charged with open murder.

Alfred Saario, 65, of Alpha is scheduled to stand trial April 24th through the 28th. He is charged with open murder and discharging a firearm into a building after he allegedly shot and killed his stepdaughter, Jamie Lee James, 29, of Alpha before turning the gun on himself this past June. He was taken to UW Madison Hospital for treatment of his injuries where he was arrested.

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MARQUETTE — A Marquette man accused of stabbing another man in the face with a pair of scissors has been ordered to undergo a competency exam.

Alan Beauchamp, 51, is charged with one count of assault with a dangerous weapon. He was arrested by the Marquette City Police Department on November 7th, 2016 after the alleged assault took place at the Warming Center on West Washington Street.

The victim was taken to the hospital where he was treated for minor injuries.

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A trial date has been set for a Chippewa County man charged with kidnapping and criminal sexual conduct.

Joshua Sweet, 39, is set to stand trial May 3rd through the 5th. Sweet is charged with 1st degree criminal sexual conduct, kidnapping and two counts of felony firearm.

He was arrested in early November following a traffic stop by the Michigan State Police. Sweet is currently out of jail on a $100,000 cash bond.

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HOUGHTON — The cases against three suspects from a break-in at a sporting goods store in Hancock are moving forward.

Only one out of three former Finlandia students suspected in the theft of firearms from a Hancock store physically appeared in court Wednesday. Jake Hugall, 19, waived his preliminary exam and his case was bound over to circuit court.

Police believe he may have been the lookout during a break-in of Northwoods Sporting Goods in December. Three handguns, along with ammunition, were stolen and later found in a dorm room on 18-year-old Juan Carlos Pereyra appeared by phone from Tampa, FL. His case was also bound over.

The prelim for 18-year-old Alexander Santiago of Chicago was pushed back to a later date. All three suspects are currently out on bond.

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HOUGHTON — The case against an Atlantic Mine man who was the subject of a lock-down at an elementary school is headed to Circuit Court.

Niles Rothenberger, 30, appeared in 97th District Court in Houghton today for a preliminary exam. He is charged with Possession of Marijuana on school property, a high court misdemeanor punishable by up to two years in prison and/or a $2,000 fine.

Rothenberger said he was cleared by a mental health professional whom he was ordered to see as a condition of his bond.

Houghton Elementary went into lockdown in November after police were notified that the suspect was acting suspicious. Marijuana and a properly stored firearm were reportedly found in his vehicle, but police do not believe he was intending to harm anyone.

His case was bound over and he is scheduled to be arraigned in Circuit Court on Monday.

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HOUGHTON– A drug case is headed to Circuit Court.

Fountaine Gordon, 38, appeared in 97th District Court Friday for a preliminary hearing. He was arrested after UPSET Detectives executed a search of a room at the Super 8 Hotel in Houghton late November. Heroin, marijuana and pills were found in the room along with cash.

The court heard testimony from law enforcement on the case who believe that Anderson brought the drugs into the area and was selling them out of the hotel room. He is facing three felony drug charges and because of a habitual offender notice filed by the prosecution could face life in prison. Gordon will be arraigned in Circuit Court where he is expected to enter a plea to the charges.

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HOUGHTON– The case against a former Finlandia student charged with assault is off to a slow start.

Tijaunte Anderson, 20, says he’s in the process of hiring an attorney.

The suspect was allegedly involved in a fight with another Finlandia student that preceded the suspension of several other students from the university last month.

Anderson is charged with aggravated assault, a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine. The suspect appeared in 97th District Court Friday for a pretrial hearing but said he needs more time to hire his lawyer, David Gemignani, who is often appointed to serve as the public defender.

The judge gave his permission for Anderson to return to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and to appear by phone when his case returns to court for another pretrial in four weeks.

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UPPER PENINSULA — In last night’s #ABC10Feature, ABC 10’s Melanie Palmer brought you the first part of a two part series on human sex trafficking in the U.P. Tonight, we have the second part on signs of human sex trafficking and what actions are taken to help the victims.

Human sex trafficking has unfortunately been around for centuries and because of its obscurity and ambiguity, it can be nearly impossible to notice. Both local law enforcement and the Michigan State Police look for signs, but at times it can be too late.

“It’s difficult for us because we don’t see people coming and going into hotels, so it is difficult. Many times we hear about things afterwards or many times you stumble across them. People who work in the service industry, if they see a girl with a guy that just doesn’t look right, that may be what is going on and we will always go and check on anybody,” said Iron Mountain Police & Fire Services Director, Ed Mattson.

Human trafficking consists of physical and psychological control over its victims. Once in the trafficking system, many of the victims no longer have names and are just viewed as a complete object rather than a human. Victims of human trafficking show signs fairly similar to victims of domestic violence.

“They might avoid eye contact, they might avoid authority figures, they may look malnourished, they may look withdrawn socially like they can’t interact with the social norms that we have and maybe not be able to go outside or speak freely,” said Michigan State Police Community Service Trooper, Patrick Janisse.

Drugs play a large part in human trafficking, with many traffickers intentionally getting victims addicted in order for them to need to return to the specific trafficker. Drugs may also be used to subdue victims in some situations or even used as a coping mechanism for the victims themselves.

“Usually if a girl is not using drugs before she is trafficked, by the time she is being trafficked or over time, she’ll be hooked on drugs to survive and cope. Just like drugs and domestic violence are related, it’s a coping skill,” said Victim Advocate, Elisabeth Alquist.

While physical markings on a victim’s body can be a sign of human trafficking, there are less observable gestures that can be a clue. If a young girl is running away from home often, especially on the weekends, she could be involved with human trafficking. Skipping school at an excessive rate for girls between the ages of 11 and 18 can also determine if a person is in the trafficking system. Different services are offered from state to state that work on rescuing victims and rehabilitating them.

While some states have noteworthy services offered, others are vaguer. Here in the U.P., the Caring House in Iron Mountain is the only publicly displayed organization that has human sex trafficking services. More importantly than be aware of the offered services, just recognizing and understanding the seriousness behind human sex trafficking is vital.

“If we don’t know they are there, we can’t help them or get them the services they need. We can’t prosecute the individuals who are profiting from them because there is always someone making money off of somebody. It’s one of those things if people can pay attention to, if you work at a motel and something just doesn’t look right, call us and we’ll go make contact with people and we’ll make sure that it is legitimate. It’s one of those things that we need the public to help us with,” said Mattson.

“For people who don’t know what human trafficking is, they might hear it and think it’s happening in other countries or it has to involve a woman being chained in the basement. It doesn’t necessarily look like that all the time, because it is so psychological it can happen out in the open without people even realizing what it is,” said Alquist.

The official human trafficking awareness day is January 11th, a series of presentations will be put on by Michigan State Police Posts across the state to spread awareness to the public. Trooper Janisse will be holding a forum on January 12th at 6 P.M. at the Schoolcraft County Courthouse. For those trapped in this vicious cycle, it is encouraged to contact any law enforcement.

“A lot of victims are human trafficking believe they don’t have a voice and that’s because they believe that is what their life has become. If you are a victim of human trafficking, I urge you to contact your local law enforcement and the national human trafficking hotline to make your voice heard, you’re not alone,” said Janisse.

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HOUGHTON — An Atlantic Mine man who triggered a lock down at an elementary school made another appearance in court.

30-year-old Nile Nathan Rothenberger is facing a high misdemeanor charge of possession of marijuana on school grounds. The Atlantic Mine man pled Not Guilty at his arraignment in Houghton County Circuit Court. Rothenberger was arrested in late November after officials at Houghton Elementary School complained to police that the suspect was acting suspicious.

The school went into a “shelter in place” situation as a precaution. Police allegedly found marijuana and a properly stored firearm in his vehicle, though it is not believed he intended to harm anyone. The prosecution previously indicated Rothenberger has a medical marijuana card.

If convicted, he faces up to two years in prison and/or a $2,000 fine. A pretrial hearing will be held in about 30 days.

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HOUGHTON — The trial of a former Houghton High School coach accused of child pornography is scheduled to start later this month.

Don Sawaski, 71, is charged with two felony counts of possession of child sexual abusive material and using a computer to commit a crime. Sawaski’s trial was scheduled for last November.

In October, a judge decided to push the trial back to give the prosecution the opportunity to get Sawaski’s lawyer a copy of all the evidence found on his computer. The defense also requested moving the trial date back so that it did not coincide with hunting season to avoid issues with seating a jury.

Sawaski’s trial is set to begin January 23rd.

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If anyone has any additional video footage with a clear photo or other information please contact Detective Darin Hunter at Escanaba Department of Public Safety (906)786-5911 or send a private message.

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HOUGHTON — An Atlantic Mine man who triggered a lock down at an elementary school made another appearance in court.

30-year-old Nile Nathan Rothenberger is facing a high misdemeanor charge of possession of marijuana on school grounds. The Atlantic Mine man pled Not Guilty at his arraignment in Houghton County Circuit Court.

Rothenberger was arrested in late November after officials at Houghton Elementary School complained to police that the suspect was acting suspicious.

The school went into a “shelter in place” situation as a precaution. Police allegedly found marijuana and a properly stored firearm in his vehicle, though it is not believed he intended to harm anyone.

The prosecution previously indicated Rothenberger has a medical marijuana card.

If convicted, he faces up to two years in prison and/or a $2,000 fine. A pretrial hearing will be held in about 30 days.

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