ST. IGNACE — A woman was stabbed in the leg following an altercation.

The Michigan State Police St. Ignace Post responded to an address on 3 Mile Road in Hessel, shortly after midnight Monday morning for a report of a stabbing. It was found that two, 30-year old women had been in an altercation and one of them had been stabbed in the leg with a knife.

The victim was treated for non-life threatening injuries and transported to War Memorial Hospital in Sault Ste. Marie. The other woman was arrested for assault with a dangerous weapon and assault with intent to do great bodily harm, less than murder.

The suspect is currently lodged at the Mackinac County Jail.

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MARQUETTE– Pathologist and forensic pathologist Dr. Werner Spitz took the stand at Jason Sadowski’s trial to testify about the injuries on the victims.

Dr. Spitz has testified in many high–profile cases such as the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and John F. Kennedy.

He says he’s preformed or supervised over 60,000 autopsies.

Monday morning, Dr. Spitz testified that he examined photos of the victim’s injuries and says there were no serious injuries on either one.

“She has some markings on her right forearm and I think on the left forearm as well,” Dr. Spitz said. “Other than that I cannot see any other injuries, I’m not even sure if these are injuries.”

He called many of the bruises “superficial,” meaning they happened in the upper layers of the skin and said they were not signs of repeated kicking or punching.

Dr. Spitz said, “They’re minor injuries; I mean I call them minor injuries when an injury is going to be gone in less than a week.”

He also testified that red marks on one of the victim’s neck did not suggest strangulation, but rubbing.

Video played by the defense earlier in the trial did show one victim rubbing her neck.

Additionally, Dr. Spitz testified that injuries on one victim’s knuckles suggested she struck something.

Jason Sadowski’s trial continues tomorrow in Marquette County Circuit Court.

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MARQUETTE — The Marquette Police Department is continuing to combat the growing drug epidemic in the Upper Peninsula.

Zachry Gauthier of the department has recently become certified as a Drug Recognition Expert under the Drug Evaluation and Classification Program. Gauthier is just one of few experts in the area and in order to receive the certification, attended a month long program that consisted of several different phasing levels. Some of the items that were taught in this program include; how to fully understand signs and symptoms of specific drug categories and clinical signs of impairment.

After completing this process, Gauthier feels more than prepared to accept the title of a DRE.

“I’m very confident in what I can do and being able to dictate what drugs they’re on, that’s why they’ve certified us to the level of an expert. They expect us to be an expert at all things related to drug categories,” said Marquette Police Patrolman, Zachry Gauthier.

A portion of the program included going to Arizona for a hands on learning approach. Having this certification in the U.P. is needed due to the increase of drugged driving. Part of Gauthier’s responsibility is to recognize these drivers and maintain safe roads for everyone.

Educating the area on these dangers of driving after taking illicit drugs or even prescription medications is also a key focus in Gauthier’s position.

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MARQUETTE– Defense attorney Tony Ruiz called a number of different witnesses to the stand today in defense of one Ishpeming man charged with kidnapping, false imprisonment and torture.

Officer Brent Zaborowske of the Ishpeming City Police Department was called to the stand Tuesday by the defense in Jason Sadowski’s trial. Sadowski’s attorney, Tony Ruiz, questioned the officer on an interaction he had with one of the victims. :14

Ruiz asked, “If you had an hour with Ms. ***** less than an hour than the events of this date were supposed to happen, would you consider that an interview?”

Zaboroske said that it was not his place to do a formal interview and he was simply trying to make the victim feel more comfortable, however he doesn’t remember much of that date. Ruiz played audio clips from police footage in which the officer asked for the victims name, date of birth, and phone number.

Additionally in the clip Zaboroske says that he doesn’t want to mess the interview up and that he didn’t think the victim would get in trouble for taking money out of Sadowski’s wallet. Also called to the stand was Amanda Wyatt, an ex–student of Sadowski who had a on and off romantic relationship with him.

Wyatt said that she didn’t feel threatened by the defendant when she knew him, but did feel manipulated by him at times.

However, she also said she cut ties with him. “I do not have any sort of relationship with him now,” Wyatt said. “I don’t want him near around me or my children now.”

Sadowski’s trial continues tomorrow in Marquette County Circuit Court.

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GLADSTONE — Police in Delta County have arrested a man who they say was in possession of a stolen pistol.

At approximately 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, a deputy with the Delta County Sheriff’s office was on patrol near the 1200 Block of Montana Avenue in Gladstone. The deputy heard the sound of possible gunshots coming from a nearby alley.

The officer made contact with a 19-year-old man. After a brief struggle, the man was found to be in possession of a .22 pistol that was reported stolen out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The suspect was lodged at the Delta County Jail for reckless discharge of a firearm, possession of a concealed pistol, receiving and carrying stolen property and resisting and obstructing. Bond was set at $50,000.

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UPDATE — Forsyth Township Police Department have located the stolen RV, after asking the public’s assistance in locating a stolen R/V style motor-home.

GWINN — The home is tan in color bearing a MI Registration Plate of ALS 994, taken from Elm St in Gwinn on March 15th. Please contact FTPD at 346-9224 if you see this vehicle, or message them privately on Facebook.

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ISHPEMING — There have been multiple reports of a phone scam in one U.P. city.

The Ishpeming Police Department has been receiving complaints from citizens of telephone calls advising them they are calling from UP Health System-Bell and asking for payments of past due bills. The caller is then asking for the credit card number of the person on the phone.

It is believed the caller “spoofed” the telephone number from the hospital because the hospital’s number does not appear on a caller ID. The department urges citizens that if they do receive this kind of phone call, it is a scam. If you have any questions about amounts you may owe to UP Health System-Bell, it is encouraged to call Ruth Thibeault at the hospital who can be reached at 906-485-2652.

If you believe you are a victim of this phone scam and sustained loss, contact the Ishpeming Police Department.

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MARQUETTE– On Wednesday afternoon Jason Sadowski, an Ishpeming man accused of kidnapping, false imprisonment and torture, took the stand to testify.

Sadowski gave a very different account than the victims, but it started out the same, with him being approached by one of the victims. Sadowski said, “She walked up to the driver side door, she asked me if I had a light. I told her that I did, she asked if she could get a light and I lit her cigarettes through the window.”

After that Sadowski brought the two women back to his home and mixed martial arts studio. He drank and smoked medical marijuana with them for a few hours before one confessed they stole around two-hundred and fifty dollars from him.

He said he was frustrated and disappointed after he learned this and asked for his money back. Then the victims began blaming each other.

“It would be back and forth between ‘we didn’t steal anything to’ to, mostly on *****’s part, Sadowski said. “***** admitted she stole, but she also varied on how much and who had what still.”

Sadowski said that lead to a fight.

“Jumped up, hit her with her right fist in the eye, then they grabbed each other by the hair and they started basically a girl fight,” Sadowski described. “They started pulling each other’s hair, they crashed into my desk.”

Sadowski said that the fight lead to many of his belongings, swords and CDs included, being knocked off the wall.

He said he was able to remember many details of the night, including how much money was stolen and how much alcohol and marijuana was consumed. These details were disputed throughout the trial, the victim said she didn’t think any marijuana was smoked and said she didn’t have any drinks.

Sadowski’s trial will continue Thursday in Marquette County Circuit Court.

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LANSING — State Representative John Kivela introduced new legislation today aimed at the meth epidemic plaguing the U.P. and other parts of the state.

The current law in place regarding the sale of, pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient in meth, allows buyers to purchase more than they can use, as prescribed by the packaging of the medication. Pseudoephedrine is found in over the counter decongestants and antihistamines such as Sudafed, Claritin D and other sinus and allergy medications.

Kivela’s new legislation would dial back the monthly limit of how much a person can buy. It would also implement a yearly cap of an eight and a half month rather than a full year supply. Kivela said those purchasing higher amounts are primarily cooking meth.

“Clearly we have an ongoing problem and so this legislation is really aimed at preventing access to the key ingredient,” Kivela said. “That’s really what it’s about. I’m a firm believer that we’re not going to criminalize this away. We don’t need to put people in jail, perhaps. So this is really aimed at preventing the crime in the first place.”

The legislation would cut the amount available by forty-five percent. Kivela is the primary sponsor and he anticipated that the other U.P. representatives as well as those in the southeastern part of the Lower Peninsula would co-sponsor the bill.

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SAULT ST. MARIE — Police say a man fled over the U.S. Candian border after robbing a Sault Ste. Marie gas station and kidnapping a clerk. A man walked into the gas station and robbed it around 2:40 a.m. Thursday at an Admiral gas station.

Armed with a gun, he stole gas, cigarettes and an unknown amount of money.

He took the clerk from the gas station and drove south on I-75. Police say he dropped the clerk off at a median turnaround, crossed the International Bridge into Canada, and turned himself into police in Canada around 9:30 Thursday morning.

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MARQUETTE– Jason Sadowski’s trial got contentious as the defendant took the stand for the second day and squared off with the prosecution.

Alleged kidnapper and torturer Jason Sadowski was crossed examined by Marquette County Prosecutor Matt Wiese.

Wiese challenged Sadowski on differences in his testimony from the previous trial and decisions he made the night of the alleged incident.

Sadowski could not remember some details of his past testimony and said that he never had a chance to mention others.

The testimony often got tense and Sadowski was often stopped by the judge after going off course after being asked a question.

“I’m not implying anything and it has nothing to do with the parking lot, the parking lot was a symptom,” Sadowski said. “But as Willey admitted, he was spreading rumors around me.”

After Wiese objected, Sadowski said, “You just asked me the question so let me answer it, what are you afraid of.”

After Sadowski’s testimony the defense rested their case.

Both the prosecution and defense gave closing arguments after lunch and the jury was given instruction before being sent to deliberate.

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LAKE LINDEN — An UPSET investigation has led to the arrest of four people on charges relating to heroin and firearm violations.

Detectives from the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team say they executed a search warrant at a residence on Calumet Street in Lake Linden after a several-week long investigation into the sale of heroin in Houghton County.

Detectives identified the home as a temporary residence of three suspects who had recently traveled to Houghton County from Detroit. A small amount of heroin, cash from suspected drug sales and a loaded shotgun were seized at the residence.

Four suspects were arrested and are currently lodged at the Houghton County Jail on various charges including delivery of heroin, loitering in a drug house and felon in possession of a firearm.  Their names are being withheld. The investigation is ongoing.

Lake Linden Village Police, the Houghton County Sheriff’s Department, Michigan State Police Emergency Support Team, K-9 Team, Hometown Security Team and troopers from the Calumet Post  assisted UPSET at the scene.

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MARQUETTE — A Gwinn man who pleaded guilty to five counts of possession of child sexually abusive material was sentenced this morning in Marquette County Circuit Court.

Cory Pierce, 52, received 32-40 months in prison with credit for time served. Pierce was arrested on a ten-count felony warrant last October by the Forsyth Township Police Department.

He was already in jail at the time of his arrest on one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct. Pierce entered a plea agreement in January on the child porn charges.

Five counts of using a computer to commit a crime were dismissed as part of his guilty plea.

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MARQUETTE — One of three people arrested for robbing two hotels and a gas station entered a plea agreement Friday morning in Marquette County Circuit Court.

Tristen Snow, 18, of Escanaba, pleaded guilty to one count of unarmed robbery. According to the plea agreement, the charge carries with it a minimum sentence of 5-years in prison.

Snow and two other men, Jaccob Jones, 18 and Jordan Steinhausen, 22, were arrested last August on charges of conspiracy to commit armed robbery and four counts of armed robbery.

The trio is accused of armed robberies last August at the Quality Inn and Suites in Escanaba, America’s Best Value Inn and Kassel’s Korner in Chocolay Township.

Sentencing is set for April 28th. His sentence will run concurrently with his charges in Delta County.

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MARQUETTE — A Norway man who admitted breaking into two vehicles in Marquette received his sentence this morning.

Eric Mohler, 22, received 12 months of deferred jail time and two years probation on one count of breaking and entering a vehicle with damage.
In February of 2016, Mohler broke into two vehicles and stole a CD player out of one of them.

Five other charges against him were dropped as a result of the plea agreement.

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HOUGHTON COUNTY — The fight against drugs continues here in the U.P.

Members of the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team arrested an Atlantic Mine man Friday on several charges relating to the sale of narcotics. His arrest stems from a five-month long investigation by detectives.

The suspect faces three felony drug counts, including delivery of methamphetamine. His name won’t be released until he’s arraigned in Houghton County District Court.

UPSET’s investigation is ongoing and other charges are expected.

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IRON RIVER — A 35-year-old man faces two counts of felonious assault and one count of malicious destruction of property after what police are calling “an incident” on Saturday.

According to the Iron River Police Department, Johan Dylan Harju of Ironwood attempted to assault two victims with his vehicle before leaving the scene. Lac Vieux Desert Tribal Police located his vehicle traveling west on US-2 near Watersmeet.

Officers with the tribal police stopped the suspect’s vehicle and detained him. He was transported back to Iron River where he was arrested.

The man is currently lodged at the Iron County Jail.

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UPDATE — Monday, March 20th, 2017 1:00 p.m.

The Delta County Animal Shelter says one of its former shelter dogs located the 3-year-old girl that was found lying in a ditch Friday morning.

According to the shelter’s “>Facebook Page, Peanut arrived at the shelter last April with two broken legs, a belly full of carpet and broken ribs. Her previous owner was convicted of animal abuse.

The post states that Peanut got the attention of one of her owners to go outside. She immediately bolted into a field where the little girl was lying naked.

Peanut’s owner scooped the little girl up into his arms and took her inside. When the ambulance arrived, the little girl kept saying just one thing: “doggie.”

RAPID RIVER — Law enforcement officials responded to the scene on a report of a 3-year old girl found lying naked in a ditch.

On March 17th around 11:15 A.M., a citizen was alerted of a presence near his property by his dog. He then located the girl, wrapped her in a shirt and brought her back to his residence in an attempt to warm her. The temperature at this time was approximately 32 degrees.

After the Delta County Sheriff’s Department arrival, the uninjured child was transported to St. Francis Hospital by UP Health System – EMS. Deputies went door to door in an attempt to locate the parents, the parents were eventually located at a nearby residence.

Further investigation revealed unsafe and unsanitary living conditions at the residence. Child Protective Services was notified and the three-year-old girl, along with another young female was removed from the residence. The Delta County Sheriff’s Department was assisted on the scene by DHS Child Protective Services, UP Health Systems, and Masonville EMS.

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HOUGHTON — Three men from the Detroit area and one Houghton County resident are facing charges following last week’s drug bust in Lake Linden.

Detectives from UPSET seized heroin, cash from suspected drug sales and a loaded shotgun when they searched the residence. Breon Garner, 25, of Detroit was charged Friday with Delivery or Manufacture of Heroin, a 20-year felony. His bond was set at $250,000 cash and he is currently lodged in the Houghton County Jail.

Willie Nelson, 48, of Lake Linden was charged with Maintaining a Drug House and Possession of a Firearm During a Felony, both punishable by up to two years. Nelson was released from jail on a $500 personal recognizance bond.

Andre Walker, 26, of Warren and Taiwon Jenkins, 25, of Eastpointe are both charged with Loitering in an Illegal Business, a 90 day misdemeanor. They are both out on bond.

All four suspects are scheduled to be back in court in about two weeks.

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IRON RIVER — A suspect was arrested for several felony offenses including, unlawful imprisonment and criminal sexual conduct second degree.

On March 17th around 2:40 P.M., officers of the Iron River Police Department were dispatched to the Lake Shores Motel in Iron River for an assault complaint. Through an investigation at the scene, officers determined that suspect arrested, Nickolas Anthony Johnathan Goebel, 30, attempted to force a female into a vehicle and committed a sexual assault against her.

Witnesses at the scene came to the victim’s aid and stopped the suspect before calling 911. After being transported to the Aspirus Emergency Room in Iron River for treatment, the suspect was lodged in the Iron County Jail. Goebel was arraigned on Monday with a $50,000 cash bond.

According to the Iron River Police Department, the situation could have been much worse if not for the help of good citizens who helped the victim and called 911. Interim Chief Roy D’Antonio would like to thank the witnesses, the Iron River County Sheriff’s Department, the Michigan State Police Troopers, and EMS Personnel for their assistance.

Prelim set for April 10th.

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