Child rape arrest in Forsyth Township, College professional from Colorado living in Marquette jailed as fugitive from justice; Gladstone man allegedly attacked family members this weekend while armed, plus drug and theft cases – and one suspect claims to be Crypts gang member
Jonathon James Kolaske
Hunter Starnes
By Greg Peterson Upper Peninsula Breaking News Owner, News Director 906-273-2433
(Gwinn, MI) – A Gwinn man has been charged with raping a child.
Marquon Woods
23-year-old Marquon Shavonte Woods of Gwinn, MI was arrested on three sexual assault felonies involving a child no older than 12 years old on Sat., Jan. 13, 2018.
Woods was booked into the Marquette County Jail (MCJ) at about 9:50 p.m. Saturday night.
Woods is being held on a $150,000 bond. Woods is a native of Jackson, MI. He is accused of sexually assaulting a child that resided where he lives.
Woods is charged with one felony count of first degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC) involving a child under the age of 13; and two felony counts of second degree CSC involving a child under thirteen years old.
If convicted, Woods faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. The first degree CSC case demands at sentence of at least 25 years in state prison.
Forsyth Township Police began a two-week investigation when the rapes were reported on Thurs., Jan. 4, 2018. The arrest came after police conducted interviews that resulted in the Marquette County Prosecutors office authorizing the three arrest warrants.
Assisting in the probe were the Marquette Police Department, Michigan State Police, and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHS) Child Protective Services Division.
Meanwhile, other Marquette County and Delta County residents have been arrested on serious felonies over the past few days.
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Fugitive from justice:
Dina Florez
A Marquette woman – who says she is a higher education professional – has been busted for being a fugitive from justice.
46-year-old Colorado native Dina Kimberly Florez of Marquette, MI was booked into the MCJ at 11:40 p.m. on Friday night, Jan. 12, 2018. She has ties to Arvada, Colorado.
Florez has a LinkedIn profile that describes her as a higher education professional at two colleges in Colorado.
No bond has been set.
U.P. Breaking News has been attempting to find out if she is wanted back in Colorado. If you have any information on this case please contact U.P. Breaking News
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Assault:
Hunter Starnes
18-year-old Hunter Starnes of Gladstone, MI was booked into the Delta County Detention Center (DCDC) at 5:37 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018.
Starnes is charged with felony assault with intent to do great bodily harm. He is being held without bond.
Starnes allegedly went to a relative’s home in Delta County on Saturday morning and allegedly assaulted a family member. Starnes was allegedly armed with a handgun during the assault.
Starnes then fled in a pickup truck loaded with several other friends including two women.
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Drugs:
34-year-old Neil E. Larson of Wells, MI was booked into the MCJ at about 9:50 p.m. today, Mon., Jan. 15, 2018. Larson is charged with two felony counts of possession of marijuana. One felony count has no bond and the other has a $5,000 bond.
Busted in Delta County, Larson was booked into the DCDC in Escanaba this afternoon before being transferred to Marquette. Larson was booked in Escanaba on a Marquette County Circuit Court contempt of court warrant and a failure to appear in court warrant.
Larson also has prior addresses in Marquette and Willis, MI.
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Embezzlement Probation Violation:
A Gladstone, MI man – convicted of embezzlement – was booked into the DCDC at 11:12 a.m. on Thurs, Jan. 11, 2018 on a probation violation. She is being held without bond.
44-year-old Tracy James Kohnert was sentenced to seven months in the DCDC as one of three siblings convicted of embezzling more than $122,000 (between 2013-2015) from an elderly brother and sister who were living in Delta County nursing home. All three siblings were convicted and sent to jail and prison.
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Theft:
Jonathon James Kolaske
Crips Gang member arrested: 30-year-old Johnathon James Kolaske of Escanaba, MI was booked into the DCDC at 10:43 p.m. on Tues., Jan. 9, 2018 on three charges. Kolaske is charged with breaking and entering a building with intent, larceny from a motor vehicle, and obstruction of justice. No bond is set.
Kolaske has a lengthy criminal record – and the MDOC says one of his tattoos was created after his initiation into Crips Gang – beat by 5 members for 36 seconds.
He has several tattoos that show loyalty to several gangs.
Kolaske’s past convictions malicious destruction of property (building), felonious assault, and malicious destruction of property.
U.P. Breaking News Bulletin – 12-3-17 10:32 p.m. ET
A sad story of woe, bad decisions and a lack of holiday good-will – no winners here yet
By Greg Peterson U.P. Breaking News Owner, News Director 906-273-2433
(Escanaba, MI) – For those of you buying lots for those who have too much this Christmas holiday season – remember there are some people so desperate they have to shoplift used baby clothes clothes from a charity trying to make a small buck off those used garments
A Delta County woman was jailed Sunday for allegedly shoplifting baby clothes from the Goodwill store in Escanaba, MI.
Obviously shoplifting cannot be ignored because there have been lots of VERY SERIOUS shoplifting calls even on Sunday in Marquette County alone. Dozens have been jailed across the U.P. in past few weeks for shoplifting new and sometimes expensive goods.
What is not clear – is why Goodwill would prosecute this woman who was allegedly taking used baby clothes. Apparently, Goodwill could not reach another accommodation the suspect.
There is no way the used baby clothes could be traded for drugs, merchandise or used for no-good. Virtually no real intrinsic value in those baby clothes – except charities are also desperate for money. The woman – 32-year-old Shelah Breault of Escanaba, MI – is shown hugging a baby on Facebook and its the main photo at top of page. U.P. Breaking News knows nothing of this woman’s background but after hearing all the serious shoplifting calls – can’t help wonder if criminal charges were the correct route since clothes have no real intrinsic value. Her background doesn’t matter. Is she trafficking in baby clothes – we doubt it.
Breault was given a criminal trespass warning by officers for Goodwill and booked at 12:45 p.m. on Sun., Dec. 3, 2017 on a charge of 2nd degree retail fraud and released an hour later from the Delta County Detention Center.
She obviously loves children.
On her LinkedIn page, Breault lists her profession as a “self-employed nanny.”
Her Facebook page reflects family life – but far from riches.
But apparently there was little Goodwill this holiday season.
U.P. Breaking News is tough on crime and will be releasing info on some very serious shoplifting cases – however this baby-loving nanny can’t be that bad of as person.
Please do not stop donating from Goodwill – but all the judgmental folks in the U.P. need to have a heart sometimes. This story is about humanity – not condemning Goodwill. Maybe a future resolution can be reached that doesn’t include a criminal conviction. Now this story has no winner – but it is not too late for all involved who had a bad Sunday.
Three U.P. Men Make Most Wanted Sex Offender Fugitive List: Sex Offender Registry Wanted Absconders – 14 Most Wanted
Top 14 Most Wanted Michigan Sex Offender Fugitives includes three U.P. residents – Where are they Hiding – Report them Now!
By Greg Peterson
U.P. Breaking News
Owner, News Director
906-273-2433
(Upper Peninsula of Michigan) – U.P. Breaking News is hoping you can help find the “Top 14 Most Wanted Michigan Sex Offender Fugitives” – three are from the Upper Peninsula and wanted on felony warrants.
A manhunt is underway for:
Kenneth Joseph Saarela of Negaunee, MI is wanted on a felony warrant for sex offender registration violations.
Lee Andrew Vannewkirk of Chassell, MI is wanted on felony warrant for sex offender registration violations.
Brian William Niles of Menominee, MI is wanted on a felony warrant for sex offender registration violations.
If you have any information on the location of these fugitives please call 911 or the nearest law enforcement agency. Plus the Michigan State Police Sex Offender Registry Unit toll free at 1-866-761-7678
Below we have listed all 14 of those wanted fugitives
Brian William Niles is not in compliance with the Michigan Sex Offender Registration Act. If you have information concerning his whereabouts, please contact the Michigan State Police Sex Offender Registry Unit toll free at 1-866-761-7678, or the nearest law enforcement agency.
Kenneth Joseph Saarela is wanted on a felony warrant for sex offender registration violations. If you have information concerning his whereabouts, please contact the Michigan State Police Sex Offender Registry Unit toll free at 1-866-761-7678, or the nearest law enforcement agency.
Date of Birth: 09/12/1966 Weight: 180 lbs. Hair Color: Brown Eye Color: Blue Gender: Male Race: White
Last Reported Address: Chassell, Mich. Last Report Date: 10/05/2011
Known Aliases: None.
Registered Offense: Offense Code: 750.520E1A Criminal Sexual Conduct 4th Degree (Force or Coercion)
Lee Andrew Vannewkirk is wanted on felony warrant for sex offender registration violations. If you have information concerning his whereabouts, please contact the Michigan State Police Sex Offender Registry Unit toll free at 1-866-761-7678, or the nearest law enforcement agency.
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Sex Offender Registry: Wanted Absconders – 14 Most Wanted
These individuals are not in compliance with the Michigan Sex Offenders Registration Act. If you have information concerning the whereabouts of these individuals, please contact the Michigan State Police Sex Offender Registry Unit toll free at 1-866-761-7678, or the nearest law enforcement agency.
**scroll down to see about fire underneath Marquette Pavilion; plus sex assault arrests/incidents in U.P.
By Greg Peterson U.P. Breaking News Owner, News Director 906-273-2433
(Harvey, MI) – Two violent and abused juvenile runaways from Teaching Family Homes could be sent to a facility for violent children after seriously assaulting staff and doing thousands of dollars worth of damage on Saturday night at the facility located in Harvey, MI
A felony investigation is underway after the girls allegedly created such a huge scene and mess that numerous Marquette County deputies had to rush to Teaching Family Homes. The girls allegedly punch holes in numerous walls including a dining room. Staff received unknown injuries but were not taken to the hospital.
However – at least one of the teens was taken by ambulance to be evaluated at U.P. Health System – Marquette. One of the girls is alleging she was assault while on the lamb – claiming she was thrown down some stairs at a place where the teens hid for a while. At least one of the girls has been the victim of sexual abuse and allegedly became a predator at age 9 involving young Ishpeming boys in her neighborhood (scroll down to read more).
Please do not identify these girls if you recognize them – we believe these juveniles have privacy rights – even though it was a wild night.
Many people who know one of the girls have feared her life just keeps going off the tracks – after all sorts of shocking allegations that she had made and that others have made – like sex for cigarettes.
Though she may now be 13ish – she is definitely one of “The Raging Children of the Upper Peninsula” between ages 7 and 17 who have gone absolutely wild. that U.P. Breaking News reported. Kids across the U.P. have assaulted teachers (one punched in face last week) – and generally gone wild even injuring grandparents and parents.
Nonprofit serving troubled children and families. Includes campus vision, service descriptions, donations, workshops, referrals, events, and job opportunities.
From the Keweenaw to all edges of the U.P., U.P. sex crimes and offenders have kids running scared today and some suspects just don’t learn to register
By Greg Peterson
U.P. Breaking News
Owner, News Director
906-273-2433
At least four incidents involving sex crimes were reported today by females of all ages across the U.P. and one shows you never know who northern Michigan police might meet in a traffic stop.
Here are the four unrelated U.P. cases that just happened.
First two cases out of the Eastern U.P. today (Sat., Nov. 26, 2016) – one a sex offender felony arrest and the other a sex offender scare reported by two young girls.
This afternoon, an Eastern U.P. law enforcement officer made a traffic stop and arrested a sex offender on a felony warrant out of Chippewa County. The warrant was a felony but referred the 91st District Court in Sault Ste. Marie.
31-year-old Charles Edward Cole, Jr. was arrested and taken to the Chippewa County jail.
Cole is accused of failing to register (latest address) as a sex offender register in violation of state law. Cole is accused of “failure to comply with” the Michigan Sexual Offenders Registration Act “third notice.”
“Subject in custody,” reported the law enforcement officer who nabbed Cole.
The arrest apparently went without incident although an officer’s safety caution warning involving Cole is included in the police data base.
Now the unrelated case in the eastern U.P.
Two girls – on reportedly 8 years old – reported a known sex offender “Bo” had pushed them into the bushes and followed them to a bathroom – allegedly knocking on the door. Never heard the outcome of that call.
Now the sexual assault in the Copper Country. Earlier today a female in Houghton County reported a sexual assault. We are withholding more information including information detailing her initially reporting crime to police in a U.P. village.
Meanwhile in Marquette County tonight to court-ordered early teen girls fled a facility that includes victims of extreme sexual abuse. These girls are not allowed to leave without permission. We are not going to release their names.
However, U.P. Breaking News is familiar with one of the girls and almost did a story about her a couple years ago.
A victim of abuse, she then became an alleged offender – and was actually was accused – on several occasions over past few years – of being a sexual predator on young boys in her Ishpeming area neighborhoods.
It started when she was 9 years old – and she is well-known to many residents (please do not post her name!!!!!). We have gone to great lengths to not identify these girls but also inform. We have met this girl and pray she has a beautiful future.
The two runaways were returned but there is a huge fight going on at the facility as we write this story. They allegedly have assaulted staff knocked holes in walls including dining room. Several police were sent at about 9:39 p.m. just as we published the story.
“The juveniles are out of control assaulting officials,” the call went out to responding officers.
This is just one weekend in the U.P.
Juveniles are suspected of starting a small fire under the Gazebo at the Island in Marquette – and its unclear if there is a connection.
(Marquette, MI) – Officials say a Kingsford man bragged to friends in Iron Mountain that he had a fully loaded AK-47 and a pile of ammo – but they knew he had a lengthy felony record.
Conn then brought the assault to those friends – he hid it for years in a barn. If that weren’t enough the convicted con Conn drew attention to himself by wrecking his vehicle – fleeing – and inside were over a case and a half of AK-47 ammo. Then he got caught telling a lie about the gun’s origin.
Ever heard of the term “your goose is cooked?”
The gun has a collapsible stock, a laser site and a 45-round magazine.
69-year-old Rodney Vernon Conn is a recent native of Florence, WI – but has a last “known address” of Balsam St. in Kingsford, MI, according to documents obtain by U.P. Breaking News.
A”multi-convicted felon,” Conn was arrested on July 15 by ATF agent Jim Petschke in Iron Mountain.
Conn is accused in a federal criminal complaint Conn is charged with unlawful interstate transport of firearm by a convicted felon.
According to the federal complaint:
On March 6, 2016 the Iron Mountain Police Department responded to a call from Shawn Bleicher that about 5 days earlier during a conversation with Conn the convicted con revealed “owning an AK-47 rifle that he had made some modifications to” and then fetched the weapon back to Bleicher’s home. Conn offered to allow Bleicher to check out the assault rifle – and Bleicher secured the AK-47 in his gun locker.
Bleicher said his wife believed that Conn was a convicted felon. Bleicher her refused to give the gun back to Conn and called police. Iron Mountain Police Officer Jeff Solka confiscated the weapon along with 40 rounds of ammunition.
ATF took possession of the weapon – a Romarm/Cugir, Model GP WASR 10/63 7.63x39mm rifle Serial Number 1973ET2731 .
The AK-47 tested fired as it was supposed to at the Michigan State Police Crime Lab.
Meanwhile as the federal probe continued, on May 22 Kingsford Department of Public Safety officers found Conn’s vehicle in a ditch. Conn was arrested and his vehicle “towed, impounded and searched.”
Cops say they found an additional 16 boxes of AK-47 ammo the same as was turned over by Bleicher. The ammo usually is sold with 100 rounds per box and 10 boxes per case – so over a case and a half of ammo
Conn, who is being held without bond, allegedly committed the crime in Dickinson County. Conn “admitted” to the ATF he had the AK-47 hidden in his Florence County, WI barn for 10 to 15 years and could not have fun shooting it but did not want to throw away a gun that is valuable.
Conn told the ATF he couldn’t “take it out and shoot it” but wasn’t going to “throw it away.”
Conn claimed he built the gun after purchasing at a Florida gun show – but an ATF records check showed Conn “falsely stated the origin of the gun.”
Conn had made the claim on May 23 during an interview with Iron Mountain Police Department Det. Lt. Michael Mooney – and interview that started with Conn being advised of his Miranda Rights. Conn told Det. Mooney that he purchased the “tactical parts” from a store in Green Bay, WI as the gun has the a collapsible stock, laser site and a 45-round mag.
But – an ATF records check revealed Conn was trying to perpetrate a con – lying about the gun’s history. On April 25, 2015, the gun was purchased by Andrew Sellinger of Rubicon, WI from a “Federal Firearms Licensee” Trip Wire in Delavan, WI.
In early July ATF Special Agent Aaron Voogd determined the gun was made in Romania and imported into the U.S. through Vermont.
The judge appointed a federal defense attorney for Conn, Federal Asst. Public Defender Elizabeth ‘Beth’ LaCosse. He first pleaded not guilty to state charges of possessing an AK-47.
LaCosse is the defense attorney in most federal court cases in the northern division involving defendants with the inability to pay for their own defense.
Conn has a long criminal history in several states and has been labeled a “habitual offender” – and that can make shorter sentences turn into life in prison – especially considering his age. A background check shows he was arrested again in 2015 in Florence County, WI.
Past convictions include a felon in possession of a firearm during 2013 in Florence County, WI and was convicted in 1994 of being an armed burglar and aggravated assault among other charges in Broward County, FL
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Laws cited:
18:922G.F
18:922(g)(1)
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Federal Asst. Public Defender Elizabeth ‘Beth’ LaCosse
U.P. Breaking News has been focusing on the problem of habitual domestic violence involving Native American Males and female victims – and this is first we’ve found to this point with a female suspect up on federal charges
(Grand Rapids, MI) – In the past two years, federal prosecutors have been making cases against male domestic violence suspects on Native American reservations across northern Michigan and now a non-native female has been charged with assaulting a Native American man on tribal lands.
Marissa Nicole Sherlock, a non-native, is accused of a Class B federal misdemeanor for allegedly assaulting her boyfriend on June 26, 2016 in Calhoun County “in Indian Country” on “lands held in trust Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi Indians.” The tribal lands are located within Calhoun County.
The victim is “an adult Indian male” identified only as “L.D.”
A non-jury trial is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on August 30, 2016 at federal court in Grand Rapids. The final pretrial conference is August 23.
Sherlock is charged in a federal criminal information filed by Asst. U.S. Attorney Jeff J. Davis, the federal prosecutor in the case filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan. The federal misdemeanor charge carries a much lesser sentence than the federal felony habitual domestic violence cases that require three previous convictions in state or tribal court.
The case has also been assigned to Nancy A. Bogren, the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Tribal Prosecutor and a Special Asst. U.S. Attorney
Sherlock is free on personal recognizance bond and must abide by several court conditions including not to contact the victim.
She was freed after entering a not guilty plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ray Kent. Sherlock’s defense attorney is Asst. Federal Public Defender Richard D. Stroba, according to federal court documents. The Nottawasepe Potawatamie Reservation is located in Athens Township in southwestern Calhoun County in southwestern Michigan. The tribe has purchased an additional 230 acres of land for its use and operates a gaming casino in Battle Creek, according to Wikipedia.
Related links:
Marissa Nicole Sherlock, Asst. Public Defender aka defense attorney
“Drugs in Detroit are being spread like a cancer here in the U.P.,” said U.S. District Court Judge R. Allan Edgar, who was presiding over his final sentencings before retirement. “There is really no excuse for it.”
Corrie Venta Ruth, left, was sentenced to 41 months or three years and five months in federal prison. Stephanie Rae Hatch, right, was sentenced to 33 months or two years and nine months in federal prison. Video still by Greg Peterson
Damon Ramone Belcher received 46 months or three years and 10 months in federal prison. Video still by Greg Peterson
(Marquette, MI) – A large heroin and crack cocaine pipeline from Detroit to the Upper Peninsula is being dismantled by federal prosecutors who oversaw the sentencing of three co-conspirators last week (June 22, 2016) and there are huge hints that more criminal charges and indictments are expected against others in the drug trafficking organization that can be violent.
“Drugs in Detroit are being spread like a cancer here in the U.P.,” said U.S. District Court Judge R. Allan Edgar, who was presiding over his final sentencings before retirement. “There is really no excuse for it.”
“Today we are dealing with the Houghton branch of the conspiracy,” the judge said, noting that the kingpin of the conspiracy was also bringing “heroin and crack cocaine to Escanaba.”
Federal prosecutor Paul Lochner said the cases are important to the U.P. because the cycles brought by highly addictive drugs have left a “wrath of social problems” on Yooper and national doorsteps – like meth, heroin and cocaine.
Even though the nickname of a Detroit drug baron and his wife were brought up several times during the sentencings, one federal official pleaded with U.P. Breaking News not to use the name because “lives are at stake” and suggested a temporary pseudonym be used in news coverage.
The kingpin is “good about hiding facts of the conspiracy” from each employee, federal officials said.
For the purposes of this story only and to protect lives, U.P. Breaking News will use the pseudonyms “Mr. Drug Kingpin” and “Mrs. Drug Kingpin.”
“Drugs in Detroit are being spread like a cancer here in the U.P.,” said U.S. District Court Judge R. Allan Edgar, who was presiding over his final sentencings before retirement. “There is really no excuse for it.“
Damon Ramone Belcher received 46 months or three years and 10 months in federal prison. Video still by Greg Peterson
Corrie Venta Ruth, left, was sentenced to 41 months or three years and five months in federal prison. Stephanie Rae Hatch, right, was sentenced to 33 months or two years and nine months in federal prison. Video still by Greg Peterson
Federal Judge R. Allen Edgar handed out these sentences:
Damon Ramone Belcher, a.k.a. defendant “D” received 46 months or three years and 10 months in federal prison
Corrie Venta Ruth, a.k.a. defendant “C” was sentenced to 41 months or three years and five months in federal prison
Stephanie Rae Hatch sentenced to 33 months or two years and nine months in federal prison
All were interviewed and officially arrested by Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team (UPSET) agent Ron Koski in Houghton, MI
The three sentencing were each handled separately. But had several uncommon ties – sidebars.
In a rare event during sentencing, an official sidebar with the judge was requested by prosecutors and defense attorneys with their clients at their side. Sidebars are common during trials and sometimes pretrial hearings but rarely during sentencing.
Just to make sure no-one could hear what was being said, federal court officials turned on a white noise machine.
At issue is a major federal investigation into the Detroit to the U.P. of a heroin and crack cocaine pipeline – and high level trafficking of drugs in others areas.
Cooperating witnesses lives may be in jeopardy.
Federal Prosecutors in Marquette, MI: Asst. U.S. Attorney Hannah Bobee, left, and Asst. U.S. Attorney Paul Lochner, right.
Federal Prosecutor Paul Lochner painted Ruth as one of “multiple bagmen” in the organization and all said all three were in the game because of greed – “trying to make money.”
Lochner said he hopes the prison sentences will be a “deterrent” and send the message to would-be drug couriers that “easy money is not the answer.”
“It’s a dumb decision,” Lochner said. “The answer isn’t selling narcotics.”
Damon Ramone Belcher and Corrie Venta Ruth were indicted on two counts each of felony “distribution of heroin.”
On Nov. 18, 2015 in Houghton and Lake Linden, Belcher and Ruth “knowingly and intentionally distributed heroin, and aided and abetted the distribution of heroin,” the indictments state.
The defendants and their lawyer ask for leniency:
During each sentencing, Assistant U.S. Public Defender Elizabeth A. LaCosse tried to paint her clients in the best possible light and pleaded for leniency because their respective roles were minor compared to others being investigated in the coke-heroin pipeline.
LaCosse argue that in federal sentencing guidelines there have long been “powder and crack cocaine disparities” in sentencing – that the judge noted was important because crack is much more addictive and powerful – the cooked base of powdered cocaine.
LaCosse reminded the judge about recently changed sentencing guidelines set by the United States Sentencing Commission and that the judge has the discretion to give a prison term appropriate for each person’s involvement in the conspiracy that take into consideration the actual drug weights of involving each defendant.
The judge said he sentenced all three on the “low end” of the federal sentencing guidelines because of their cooperation and relatively minor roles in the conspiracy.
However, Public Defender LaCosse asked the judge to consider an even lower departure because future sentencing commission edicts are expected to give judges even more desecration, but the retiring judge appeared uninterested in reading the tea leaves.
Saying I am a lowly judge, the Judge Edgar said he was going to “administer the guidelines as given” and issues raised by LaCosse are “questions for the sentencing commission to decide.”
After the heart-wrenching information offered by the defense, Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul D. Lochner reminded the judge that the cases are the latest example of the misery brought by drug traffickers in the U.P. – where an untold number of Yoopers are addicted.
Damon Ramone Belcher received 46 months or three years and 10 months in federal prison. Video still by Greg Peterson
Damon Ramone Belcher:
With the holidays approaching, Belcher needed “Christmas money” and made a dumb decision.
“He was unemployed” and desperate so Belcher “went back into crime,” said LaCosse, the court-appointed federal defense attorney.
LaCosse argued Belcher’s case is a “unique situation” because he was involved for only “14 days.”
Belcher “was hired (in Detroit) to sit on the bag” of cocaine and heroin as it was transported to the Houghton area by unnamed female conspirators, LaCosse said. Belcher “had no proprietary interest in the conspiracy.”
Damon Ramone Belcher received 46 months or three years and 10 months in federal prison. Video still by Greg Peterson
The judge described Belcher as an “enforcer” with a “limited function.” LaCosse described Belcher as “hired help” at the “bottom rung” of the drug pipeline.
“This is a bigger conspiracy” that could involve “all of the U.P.,” LaCosse said. Belcher is not “aware of subsections of the conspiracy.”
LaCosse argued that it wasn’t Belcher “did not transport drugs into the U.P.” However Judge Edgar said Belcher knew about the drugs in the vehicle and his job was to “accompany a female who was carrying drugs” often stashed in private places on their bodies.
“Two weeks and a $10,000 wire transfer” was the entirety of Belcher’s involvement, LaCosse said.
“He is not friends with all these people” involved in the heroin and cocaine conspiracy,” LaCosse said.
LaCosse said Belcher’s family depends on him and that he has taken “ownership (of his crime) and has learned responsibility.”
Belcher has a “mass on his colon” and may “require surgery in the near future,” LaCosse said.
Speaking to the judge before his sentence, Belcher said “I accept full responsibility – I did participate in the conspiracy.”
“I made a bad decision,” Belcher said. “I hope the Court shows some leniency.”
“I accept that what I did was wrong,” Belcher said.
Prosecutor Lochner said Belcher was “only being held responsible for the drugs he was involved with” and the bottom line is Belcher was “hired to come to the U.P. to sell cocaine Houghton.”
“A job he was doing well,” Lochner said. Heroin, cocaine, meth, painkillers (opioids), and other drugs that are being driven into the U.P. are “very addictive and very damaging” to the addict and the community.
Lochner said Belcher may claim he was after Christmas money but was the muscle in a smuggling ring – even if for a brief period..
Locking up people like Belcher and the others in the conspiracy serves “as a deterrent,” Lockner said.
Mr. Belcher should “consider people in Houghton who were fed coke (cocaine) by people like yourself.”
Woman smokes marijuana pipe http://www.psypost.org Photo credit: Jonathan Piccolo (Creative Commons)
“There has been a big spike in heroin use” in the U.P., Lochner said. From “oxycodone to heroin” the illicit drugs have been “devastating to the (U.P.) community.”
Lockner said Belcher’s “job was to make sure drugs went out and (bring) money back in.”
“They did accompany females from Detroit,” the judge said. The muscle escorting the women and drugs – like Belcher and Ruth – “were entrusted by suppliers downstate to protect the drugs,” Judge Edgar said.
The judge was not happy with Belcher’s criminal record that included “an armed robbery conviction.” Mr. Belcher got “back into criminal activity again – you were up here to make a buck,” the judge said.
As Belcher was being led away by U.S. Marshals, the judge offered a kind word.
“Good luck on your surgery,” Judge Edgar said.
Corrie Venta Ruth:
Ruth “was an idiot for trying to make quick money,” LaCosse said, adding Ruth is a “very nice person – not a street thug.”
However, LaCosse said Ruth grew up in a life surrounded by criminal “recidivism.” She asked Ruth be given credit for time served as he spent two months in the Houghton County Jail before “the (federal) government took over the case.”
Ruth told the judge he apologizes for bringing and “selling drugs” in the U.P.
“I want to apologize to the court,” said Ruth, in asking the judge to show “leniency.” “I apologize to the (U.P.) community.”
“I took the stupid easy route – this is not what I planned to do with myself,” Ruth said.
LaCosse said Ruth “didn’t know where he was going” when ordered by the Drug Kingpins but “did know it involved drug sales.” Ruth was the muscle hired to protect the shipment while the driving was handled by Damon Ramone Belcher, prosecutors said.
Ruth “had no idea about (the) Escanaba” arm of the drug ring, LaCosse said.
Corrie Venta Ruth, left, was sentenced to 41 months or three years and five months in federal prison. Stephanie Rae Hatch, right, was sentenced to 33 months or two years and nine months in federal prison. Video still by Greg Peterson
Stephanie Rae Hatch
Hatch allowed those involved in the conspiracy to “use her residence as a place to stay and to sell heroin and cocaine base” commonly known as crack cocaine, the indictments state.
Defense Attorney Theodore J. Greeley
“She was not an organizer or a leader” in the conspiracy said defense attorney Theodore Joseph Greeley, of the prominent U.P. law firm Casselman & Henderson P.C. Of Marquette.
Hatch was “not a decision maker” and only knew about the Houghton part of the drug ring – not the Escanaba tentacle, said defense attorney Greeley, the son of U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy P. Greeley.
Hatch has suffered from substance abuse since childhood – or three quarters of her life – including smoking pot at age 9, drinking alcohol at age 11 and started using cocaine at age 15 – addition to other drugs, defense attorney Greeley said.
She first “had trouble with the law” at age 9, said Greeley.
Greeley argued that judge because crack cocaine is highly addictive – it is not always “cheaper.”
Corrie Venta Ruth, left, was sentenced to 41 months or three years and five months in federal prison. Stephanie Rae Hatch, right, was sentenced to 33 months or two years and nine months in federal prison. Video still by Greg Peterson
Hatch wire transferred money from Houghton drug sales to Detroit area drug suppliers and their associates, the indictments state.
An admitted drug addict, Hatch allowed her home to be “back up house” for the conspiracy to stash and sell crack cocaine and heroin, Greeley told the judge, admitting his client sent wire transfers to the Detroit kingpins from a U.P. Walmart.
The conspiracy facilitates Houghton “drug addicts” who sometimes become dealers “trying to make money” and feed their addictions, prosecutor Lochner said in general but specifically referring to Hatch’s involvement in the conspiracy.
Lockner said once addicts can not afford their drugs “its spirals” and they sometimes sell drugs.
“Next is the sales of drugs,” Lochner said, adding “it supplies their habit – locals help out” the conspiracy.
“It is a public hazard to have her out there” in the community, said Judge Edgar.
Edgar described Hatch as a “local courier” and who “wired drug money to Detroit or someplace.”
“Her home was a staging point for sales,” Judge Edgar said. “She played a pivotal role making sure the money got down” to Mr and Mrs. Drug Kingpin.
Hatch “understood” that she and her home were “essential to the success of the operation in Houghton,” Judge Edgar said,
Unlike her co-defendants, Hatch did not make a statement to the judge prior to sentencing. Hatch’s parents and teenage daughter drove up from Grand Rapids to attend the hearing and show support for their family member.
The Plea Agreements:
Under the agreements, the trio agreed to “fully cooperate” in drug investigations including with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team (UPSET).
Under an agreement with federal prosecutors, Hatch, Belcher pleaded guilty to count one – felony conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine base.
The charges carried a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison that has no parole but the smaller time drug runners received much lower sentences under a plea agreement with federal prosecutors.
The judge waived fines due to defendant’s “inability to pay.”
As part of the plea agreement with the trio, the judge dismissed felony counts two and three – possession with intent to distribute heroin and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base. He also dismissed felony counts four and five against Belcher and Ruth.
Evidence obtained by prosecutors included cocaine base (crack cocaine), heroin, records of wire transfers, two undercover drug buys, prerecorded buy money, cell phone data, Walmart surveillance video, drug packaging, photographs, video of interview with Hatch.
During Ruth’s sentencing, the judge asked about the role of Mrs. Drug Kingpin (and other unnamed females) in the drug network – noting Mr. Drug Kingpin “used” his wife “to protect drugs.”
The federal prosecutor picked his words carefully in describing the hiding of drugs by female couriers.
“Their role is salient,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Lochner of Marquette. “It’s unique to females – let’s leave it at that.”
The defendants “conspired, confederated, and agreed with each other, and others, known and unknown to the Grand Jury, to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin” according to a five-page federal grand jury indictment of the three drug runners.
The judge waived fines due to inability to pay and all were sentenced to three years supervised release after prison, a $100 special assessment and must find jobs upon release from prison perform 20-hours weekly community service.
The trio were ordered to submit to DNA testing and cannot possess firearms, drugs or alcohol, testing and treatment for substance abuse and compete the cognitive behavioral treatment program.
The three were ordered to participate in a Michigan Bureau of Prisons 500-hour residential substance abuse program.
All three were given three years supervised released – a federal form of probation. Despite entering into plea agreements, the judge reminded the trio about their legal avenues for appealing his sentence. The three must complete a “cognitive treatment program.”
Damon Ramone Belcher received 46 months or three years and 10 months in federal prison. Video still by Greg Peterson
They can no longer posses guns, no drugs, no alcohol, undergoing regular drug and alcohol testing, and they can not visit establishments (bars) that serve alcohol, plus attend drug abuse treatment if determined appropriate by the U.S. Probation office. After release, they must serve 20 hours of weekly community service until they find a job.
A Marquette native, Edgar spent most of his career in Tennessee, first an attorney and then elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives. President Ronald Reagan appointed Edgar as a U.S. District judge in 1985.
His parents me at the Civilian Conservation Corps camp in Big Bay, MI.
Until age 13, Edgar lived as a child on West Magnetic Street in Marquette, MI
The family moved in 1953 when his his father got job in Tennessee.
The future Judge Edgar still spent summers in the U.P. with his grandparents and worked a summer job out at the exclusive Huron Mountain Club in Big Bay, MI.
Photo of Judge R. Allan Edgar by David Laprad, Hamilton County Herald
OxyContin causes more overdoses than heroin and cocaine combined, according to a report by the Centers for Drug Control. Vitualis/Flickr/Creative Commons
He carried an ink pen in his front pocket like thousands of teachers – except his pen was a high definition video camera.
He is a 68-year-old small-statured, bespectacled, diminutive man with a masters degree who never married.
He wept uncontrollably while trying to apologize in federal court and sat down apparently unable to finish the apology.
A seemingly nice elderly man who hid a dark heart with evil intentions, Thomas Kevin Hamel always made himself available to help when high school athletes were nude like weigh-ins and locker-rooms.
Photo by Greg Peterson
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Photo of the honorable U.S. District Court Judge R. Allan Edgar by David LaPrad, Hamilton County Herald
Hamel was sentenced in Marquette federal court Wednesday to 15 years in federal prison by U.S. District Court Judge R. Allan Edgar.
In fact, after 31 years on the bench, Hamel was the final federal court sentencing for Judge Edgar, who has retired after some four decades in legal work that included growing up in Marquette until age 13 and becoming a lawyer, and a state representative, and then a U.S. District Court judge in Tennessee – who also presided in Marquette federal court because he and his family love the U.P. of Michigan.
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A confirmed bachelor with over 600 child porn images on his computer, Hamel is the scion of a prominent St. Ignace family – whose physician father “delivered most of the children” in the St. Ignace” area.
“I apologize to the city of St. Ignace, I apologize to the community and I apologize to the students I took care of,” Hamel said tearfully before breaking down and returning to his chair at the defendant table.
He never raised suspicion as a volunteer athletic trainer on the boys wrestling and football teams at LaSalle High School in St. Ignace were nude including wandering into the male showers being used by young athletes while he recorded everything between Nov. 2007 and Dec. 2012.
The unsuspecting student athletes liked Hamel who wrapped injured ankles, helping in many other ways even described as an assistant coach at times.
A retired teacher of 27 years turned volunteer in male teen sports, Hamel plead guilty Feb. 1, 2016 to sexual exploitation and attempted exploitation of a minor.
Hamel had a favorite 14-year-old that he videotaped on many occasions, prosecutors said in court.
Hamel made numerous still images from the videotape of “one boy he was particularly fond of,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Lochner.
The indictment alleges Hamel made secret videos of three young male wrestlers in their early teens at a weigh-in and another teen athlete who was “dressing in a locker room,” and another who was “partially nude” in a trainer’s room.
Mackinac County Jail mugshot of Thomas Hamel
While teen male athletes were nude below the waist “at a wrestling team weigh-in,” Hamel videotaped the boys and created videos involving the “lascivious exhibition of (the boy’s) pubic area”
A once proud St. Ignace family that’s struggling to deal with life-changing humiliation, Hamel’s siblings drove from the eastern U.P. to be in Marquette federal court Wednesday to show their support for him.
Hamel’s father delivered over 2,500 babies in the St. Ignace area.
While Hamel secretly videotaped, student athletes would be nude in front of him in the locker-room and Hamel taped “nude wrestlers at weigh-ins,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Lochner.
Surreptitiously, Hamel’s volunteer job “gave him access… it game him access as an athletic trainer,” Lochner said.
Hamel’s actions are a “hideous abuse of trust,” Lockner said.
Federal prosecutors take Hamel at his word that none of his videos and photos were distributed but rather for his own use. Nonetheless, the images were turned over to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children because federal prosecutors “can’t be certain” the images did not make it on the internet or private child porn video collections.
Among the reasons the feds believe the LaSalle High School images were not distributed is Hamel’s computer was not connected to the internet and he cooperated in providing passwords to his secret stock of child porn including the boys of St. Ignace.
In fact, parents, students and school officials were genuinely shocked when the FBI came knocking on their doors with the horrifying news the kids were exploited by the team’s athletic trainer.
When a defense attorney tried to argue that Hamel had no supervisory role, Judge Edgar disagreed.
“Minors were in his care,” Judge Edgar said. “The wrestling and football teams were entrusted to his career.”
Trying to paint his client as not as bad as fellow dangerous predators, defense attorney Joseph P. Kwiatkowski of Cheboygan noted Hamel “never touched or molested anyone.”
Kwiatkowski said Hamel cooperated fully with the FBI and U.S. Postal Service Inspector Wylie Christopher.
He pleaded with the judge not to give Hamel the maximum possible sentence of 30 years in prison calling it a “death sentence” due to Hamel’s elderly age noting even a 15-year sentence will put his client at the end of projected life expectancy as set by the U.S. Social Security Administration.
Noting Hamel never forced children to pose for images, Kwiatkowski said his client knows the harm he has caused an offers “no excuses.”
Letters were written to the judge on Hamel’s behalf, Kwiatkowski noted, pointing out one is from Father Jim Williams. However, while these types of letters are often available in federal documents a check by Upper Peninsula Breaking News shows the Rev. Williams letter has apparently been restricted in this case.
Hamel started sex offender counseling after his the state and FBI raid.
Hastert molested boys and made payoffs as hush money to cover up the crimes but could not be charged due to the Statute of Limitations. The 74-year-old Hastert used a wheelchair to wheel himself into a federal medical prison – an easy way to serve his sentence.
On April 21, a federal grand jury sitting in Marquette returned a six-count, seven-page felony indictment outlining his child porn activities.
The grand jury indicted Hamel on five counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and attempted sexual exploitation of a minor, and one count of possession of child pornography,
Hamel admitted buying child porn from overseas.
The FBI raided his home in Dec. 2012 after Hamel’s name appeared on the mailing list of an overseas child porn trafficking ring that distributed videos and more.
That’s when his secret photos and videos of student athletes were found by federal agents.
Related links and info:
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
A Marquette native, Edgar spent most of his career in Tennessee, first an attorney and then elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives. President Ronald Reagan appointed Edgar as a U.S. District judge in 1985.
His parents me at the Civilian Conservation Corps camp in Big Bay, MI.
Until age 13, Edgar lived as a child on West Magnetic Street in Marquette, MI
The family moved in 1953 when his his father got job in Tennessee.
The future Judge Edgar still spent summers in the U.P. with his grandparents and worked a summer job out at the exclusive Huron Mountain Club in Big Bay, MI.
Photo of Judge R. Allan Edgar by David Laprad, Hamilton County Herald
Thomas Hamel mug shot courtesy Mackinac County Sheriff’s Department
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Previous Coverage
Ex-teacher, trainer secretly recorded nude athletes with pen camera by John Agar | jagar@mlive.com Follow on Twitter on Feb. 2, 2016. Agar covers crime for MLive/Grand Rapids Press
(Ishpeming, MI) – Ishpeming Police Friday night seized the van used in a hit and run about two hours earlier that injured a female pedestrian.
The victim, a younger female, was in screaming in pain while being treated for her injuries by paramedics on the scene.
As Upper Peninsula Breaking News was taking photos and video of the suspect’s van – a broken driver’s windshield was obvious. It’s not clear if the cracks are connected to the case.
The victim was struck Friday (June 10, 2016) about 9 p.m. by a van on Division Street just east of Seventh Street – near where local residents are familiar with – a big dip and curve at start of County Road – the back road between Ishpeming and Negaunee.
The victim was laying on the south side of the road along the east bound shoulder.
The victim, who was in obvious agony, was taken to the hospital in an ambulance by U.P. Health System Bell paramedics.
The names of the suspect and victim have not been released
Though painful the victims injuries did not appear life threatening.
The Ishpeming Fire Department assisted on the scene.
Ishpeming Police have not yet issued a release on the hit and run.
(Ishpeming, MI) – Police tonight are seeking hit and run driver who injured a female pedestrian in Ishpeming.
Shortly after 9 p.m. tonight (Fri., June 10, 2016), the victim was struck by that vehicle on Division Street just east of Seventh Street.
The hit and run happened next to a tricky spot that local residents are familiar with – a big dip and curve where Division Street changes names to County Road – that’s the back road between Ishpeming and Negaunee.
The victim was laying on the south side of the road along the east bound shoulder.
The victim, who was in obvious agony, was taken to the hospital in an ambulance by U.P. Health System Bell paramedics. Her name has not been released.
A description of the suspect’s vehicle has not been released.
Though painful the victims injuries did not appear life threatening.
The Ishpeming Fire Department assisted on the scene.
A Delta County woman was jailed Sunday for allegedly shoplifting baby clothes from the Goodwill store in Escanaba, MI.
Conn then brought the assault to those friends – he hid it for years in a barn. If that weren’t enough the convicted con Conn drew attention to himself by wrecking his vehicle – fleeing – and inside were over a case and a half of AK-47 ammo. Then he got caught telling a lie about the gun’s origin.
Marissa Nicole Sherlock, a non-native, is accused of a Class B federal misdemeanor for allegedly assaulting her boyfriend on June 26, 2016 in Calhoun County “in Indian Country” on “lands held in trust Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi Indians.” The tribal lands are located within Calhoun County.
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Even though the nickname of a Detroit drug baron and his wife were brought up several times during the sentencings, one federal official pleaded with U.P. Breaking News not to use the name because “lives are at stake” and suggested a temporary pseudonym be used in news coverage.
LaCosse argue that in federal sentencing guidelines there have long been “powder and crack cocaine disparities” in sentencing – that the judge noted was important because crack is much more addictive and powerful – the cooked base of powdered cocaine.
However, Public Defender LaCosse asked the judge to consider an even lower departure because future sentencing commission edicts are expected to give judges even more desecration, but the retiring judge appeared uninterested in reading the tea leaves.
Prosecutor Lochner said Belcher was “only being held responsible for the drugs he was involved with” and the bottom line is Belcher was “hired to come to the U.P. to sell cocaine Houghton.”
However, LaCosse said Ruth grew up in a life surrounded by criminal “recidivism.” She asked Ruth be given credit for time served as he spent two months in the Houghton County Jail before “the (federal) government took over the case.”
“Her home was a staging point for sales,” Judge Edgar said. “She played a pivotal role making sure the money got down” to Mr and Mrs. Drug Kingpin.
Under an agreement with federal prosecutors, Hatch, Belcher pleaded guilty to count one – felony conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine base.
The trio were ordered to submit to DNA testing and cannot possess firearms, drugs or alcohol, testing and treatment for substance abuse and compete the cognitive behavioral treatment program.
Elizabeth A. LaCosse
Federal Judge R. Allan Edgar
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A retired teacher of 27 years turned volunteer in male teen sports, Hamel plead guilty Feb. 1, 2016 to sexual exploitation and attempted exploitation of a minor.
In fact, parents, students and school officials were genuinely shocked when the FBI came knocking on their doors with the horrifying news the kids were exploited by the team’s athletic trainer.
Elizabeth A. LaCosse
Asst. U.S. Attorney Hannah Bobee
As Upper Peninsula Breaking News was taking photos and video of the suspect’s van – a broken driver’s windshield was obvious. It’s not clear if the cracks are connected to the case.
The victim was laying on the south side of the road along the east bound shoulder.
Upper Peninsula Breaking News by Greg Peterson 
