Legend Steps Down Today: Larger than life, tough, and feared by the state’s most vicious drug dealers and pornographers – and yes – even controversial – We honor U.S. District Court Judge Robert Holmes Bell – We Bring You His Honor’s Final Sentencings

As unusual and independent as the Upper Peninsula where he ruled with an iron fist for 3 decades – Today and Tomorrow are Officially The Final Days for His Honor – The Honorable U.S. District Court Judge Robert Holmes Bell

Plus we hope to hear today about the future of Eastern District of Michigan Federal Prosecutor Barbara McQuade

A new top federal prosecutor took the helm last week in the U.P. area and western half of the Lower Peninsula – The new top cop for the U.P. is Acting U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge, who took over last week after the resignation/step-down of  U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Miles, Jr.  (all just an expected big federal shakeup with a new president from different party)

“The diversion of firearms for unlawful purposes or to those who cannot legally possess them endangers each and every member of our society,” said Federal Judge Robert Holmes Bell at his final sentencing on Thursday

The honorable 72-year-old U.S. District Court Judge Robert Holmes Bell held his final sentencings last week.

This Judge’s judge naturally Command’s Respect (Reminds This Reporter of the Non-Nonsense, Order-In-The-Court, Hang ‘Em High, The Triple A Himself – The Late Great Federal – U.S. District Court Judge Anthony A. Alaimo in Georgia).

Like all federal judges in Michigan, Judge Bell’s impact was profound on every northern Michigan Indian Nation – whether it was tribal domestic violence, or the Founder of American Tribal Gambling Fred Dakota, or the many civil cases.

For Whom the Bell Tolls – To Prison

Dealing With An Armed Crack Dealer:

Dealt 12 years in federal prison by U.S. District Court Judge Robert Holmes Bell in one of his final sentencings last week

By Greg Peterson
U.P. Breaking News
Owner, News Director
906-273-2433

Federal Judge Robert Holmes Bell sent many heavily armed and murderous drug dealers, gangs, gun-runners and just plain bad people to prison  – from the Upper Peninsula and down to Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Benton Harbor.

In the federal system there is no parole, so when he sentences someone 20 or 30 years – that is what they serve.

Hey – Judge Bell even has a judge-looking appearance and official kind of name – just saying.

He was named (middle) after one of America’s most famous jurists.

There was even a brief filed last week with re-assignment of Judge Bell’s many criminal and civiol cases due to “Inactive senior status effective (tomorrow, Tuesday) January 31, 2017“– in legal jargon – but it means retirement:

“Judge Bell is scheduled to take inactive senior status effective January 31, 2017, and will be unavailable to conclude proceedings in these matter”

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Judge Bell’s Second to Last Sentencing, followed by his final (scroll down to sees lots you do not expect):

Dealing With An Armed Crack Dealer:

Dealt 12 years in federal prison by U.S. District Court Judge Robert Holmes Bell in one of his final sentencings last week

By Greg Peterson

(Grand Rapids, MI) – Armed crack kingpin Calvin Veernell Dennis was sentenced to nearly 12 years (140 months) in federal prison by U.S. District Court Judge Robert Holmes Bell on Tues., Jan. 24, 2016 – the latest in numerous Michigan drug traffickers getting stiff prison terms

The decade plus in prison will be followed by three years supervised release

Calvin Veernell Dennis admitted being a highly armed cocaine trafficker and convicted felon in Kent County, MI.

Dennis pleaded guilty to felon in possession of firearms and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Colt Agent .38 revolver (Serial No. M53914) and 21 rounds of Winchester .38 spl. caliber ammunition

M-11, 9mm Cobroyo semiautomatic pistol and 60 rounds of 9mm ammunition

Smith and Wesson, model SW40VE, .40 caliber semiautomatic pistol (Serial No. RAY4273) and 20 rounds of Winchester .40 caliber ammunition

Tanfoglio, model TZ75, 9mm semiautomatic pistol (Serial No. H00704) and 16 rounds of Winchester Luger and Hornady 9mm ammunition

Rock River Arms, LAR 15, 5.56 caliber rifle (Serial No. CM179750) and 50 rounds of Remington .223 caliber ammunition

660 rounds of 7.62 caliber ammunition.

Case Summary

1:16-cr-00098-RHB All Defendants USA v. Dennis

Date filed: 05/25/2016

Date terminated: 01/24/2017

Calvin Veernell Dennis

Filed: 05/25/2016

Kent County, MI

Count: 1 citation: 18:922g.f offense level: 4 18:922(g)(1), 18:921(a), 18:924(a)(2)

Unlawful transport of firearms, etc.; felon in possession of firearms

Count: 2 citation: 18:922g.f offense level: 4 18:922(g)(1), 18:921(a), 18:924(a)(2)

Unlawful transport of firearms, etc.; felon in possession of ammunition

Count: 3 citation: 21:841a=nd.f offense level: 4 21:841(a)(1), 21:841(b)(1)(c)

Narcotics – sell, distribute, or dispense; possession with intent to distribute cocaine base

Count: 4 citation: 18:924c.f offense level: 4 18:924(c)(1)(a)(i), 21:841(a)(1)

Violent crime/drugs/machine gun; possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime

Defendant in Custody

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sally J. Berens

Phone: (616) 456-2404

Email: sally.berens@usdoj.gov

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel S. Fauson

Phone: (616) 456-2404

Email: joel.fauson@usdoj.gov

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer S. Murnahan

Phone: (616) 456-2404

Email: jennifer.murnahan@usdoj.gov

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexis M. Sanford

Phone: (616) 456-2404

Email: alexis.sanford@usdoj.gov

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Judge Bell’s Final Sentencing:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, January 26, 2017

Grand Rapids Man To Spend Five Years In Prison For Trafficking Firearms

GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN – Donte Timothy Bacon, 31, of Grand Rapids, was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment, Acting U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge announced today.

In August, Bacon pled guilty to selling a firearm to a prohibited person and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Charles Lee Samuels, 28, earlier was sentenced to 18 months in prison for his lesser role in the crimes.

On five different occasions in August and September 2014, Bacon sold a firearm to a person who was not permitted to possess it under federal law. One of the firearms was sold with a high-capacity magazine. Two of those firearms had been purchased by Bacon and Samuels and were sold after Bacon removed the serial numbers. During the final transaction, Bacon and Samuels used a hand-grinder to remove the serial number at the time of sale.

In his final sentencing before retiring from the bench, U.S. District Judge Robert Holmes Bell observed the seriousness of trafficking firearms. Judge Bell ordered Bacon to serve three years of supervised release following his term of custody and expressed his hope that Bacon will return as a productive member to his community.

“The diversion of firearms for unlawful purposes or to those who cannot legally possess them endangers each and every member of our society,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Birge. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will prosecute those who willfully circumvent federal firearms laws designed to protect the public.”

“Selling firearms to prohibited individuals contributes to the cycle of gun violence plaguing our neighborhoods,” said Special Agent in Charge Robin Shoemaker of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. “ATF will continue to use all available resources to put a stop to illegal gun sales. Let this conviction stand as a warning to others willing to put profit before public safety.”

The ATF conducted the investigation, with assistance from the Grand Rapids Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin M. Presant and Alexis M. Sanford prosecuted the case.

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Other federal court cases this past week you did not hear about:

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Five years in prison for coke/heroin dealer

Drug dealer Jamian Charles Pearce sentenced on Jan. 23, 2017 to five years (60 months) in federal prison by U.S. District Court Judge Paul L. Maloney for distributing heroin and cocaine in Kent County, MI in Feb. 2016.

After five years in prison, he will be on three years of supervised release.

On March 16, 2015, Muskegon County Law Enforcement arrested 32-year-old Jamian Charles Pearce for obstructing justice/probation violation in Muskegon, MI

Case Summary:

1:16-cr-00036-PLM-4 USA v. Hairston et al

Date filed: 02/25/2016

Date of last filing: 01/24/2017

Jamian Charles Pearce

Filed: 02/25/2016

Kent County, MI

Count: 1

Citation: 21:846=NP.F Offense Level: 4 21:846, 21:841(a)(1), 21:841(b)(1)(a)(i) and (ii), 21:841(b)(1)(c)

Conspiracy to possess narcotics; conspiracy to possess and distribute cocaine and heroin

Count: 3

citation: 21:846=np.f offense level: 4 21:846, 21:841(a)(1), 21:841(b)(1)(c), 18:2

Conspiracy to possess narcotics; attempted possession with intent to distribute cocaine

Count: 1s

citation: 21:846=nd.f offense level: 4 21:846, 21:841(a)(1), 21:841(b)(1)(a)(i) and (ii), 21:841(b)(1)(c)

Conspiracy to distribute narcotics; conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and heroin

Count: 3s

citation: 21:846=nd.f offense level: 4 21:846, 21:841(a)(1), 21:841(b)(1)(c), 18:2

Conspiracy to distribute narcotics; attempted possession with intent to distribute cocaine

Count: 1ss

citation: 21:846=nd.f offense level: 4 21:846, 21:841(a)(1), 21:841(b)(1)(b)(ii)

Conspiracy to distribute narcotics; conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine

Defendant in custody

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark V. Courtade

Phone: (616) 456-2404

Email: mark.courtade@usdoj.gov

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Three years in prison for identity theft

By Greg Peterson

(Grand Rapids, MI) – Pedro Enrique Sanchez Pupo was sentenced to 37 months in prison on Jan.25, 2017 by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Robert J. Jonker for aggravated identity theft crimes committed in 2015 in Kent County, MI:
In plea agreement, Pupo pleaded guilty to count one of the indictment conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Her will serve his time – three years and a month- in a federal prison in Florida near his family.

Date of last filing: 01/28/2017

Pedro Enrique Sanchez Pupo

Filed: 12/01/2015

Kent County

Count: 1 Citation: 18:1349.F Offense Level: 4

18:1349, 18:1343

Attempt and conspiracy to commit fraud; conspiracy

Count: 2 citation: 18:1029a.f offense level: 4

18:1029(a)(3), 18:1029(c)(1)(a)(i), 18:2

Produces/traffics in counterfeit device; access device fraud

Count: 3 citation: 18:1028a.f offense level: 4

18:1028a(a)(1), 18:1028a(c)(4), (5), 18:1028a(b), 18:2

Fraud with identification documents; aggravated identity theft

Defendant in Custody

Federal Prosecutor:

Assistant U.S. Attorney Hagen W. Frank

Phone: (616) 456-2404

Email: hagen.frank@usdoj.gov

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Ten years – 121 months in prison for distributing coke and heroin

By Greg Peterson

(Grand Rapids, MI) – One of the defendants in major heroin ring was sentenced to just over ten years in federal prison on Jan. 24, 2017 by U.S. District Court Judge Paul L. Maloney for distributing heroin and cocaine during Jan. 2016 in Kent County, MI.

Mario Cruz pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess narcotics; conspiracy to possess and distribute cocaine and heroin.

No parole in federal prison, and will be under three years supervised release when let out in a decade.

Case Summary

1:16-cr-00036-PLM-3 USA v. Hairston et al

Date filed: 02/25/2016

Date of last filing: 01/24/2017

Mario Cruz

Filed: 02/25/2016

Kent County

Other Court Case: 1:16-cr-169 Related Case

Count: 1 citation: 21:846=np.f offense level: 4

21:846, 21:841(a)(1), 21:841(b)(1)(a)(i) and (ii), 21:841(b)(1)(c)

Conspiracy to possess narcotics; conspiracy to possess and distribute cocaine and heroin

Count: 2 citation: 21:846=nd.f offense level: 4

21:846, 21:841(a)(1), 21:841(b)(1)(a)(i) and (ii), 21:841(b)(1)(c)

Conspiracy to distribute narcotics; conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and heroin

Defendant in custody

Federal prosecutor:

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark V. Courtade

Email: mark.courtade at usdoj.gov

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Read about the fancinating reign of a tough federal judge – who was feared by all the big time evil doers in the Upper Peninsula:

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmi/pr/2017_0126_Bacon

https://www.apnews.com/cb2f330cae944accaeac06e0be6b56c2

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2016/10/federal_judge_robert_holmes_be.html

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2016/11/towering_figure_robert_holmes.html

http://www.mlive.com/living/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2011/02/profile_us_district_court_judg.html

http://www.miwd.uscourts.gov/judges-info/judge-robert-h-bell

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Holmes_Bell

U.P. Breaking New Exclusive Plea Agreement today in Northern Michigan Undercover Gun Dealing Probe – Federal Michigan Undercover Gun Show Probe – Feds Bust Illegal Northern Michigan Gun Dealer seize over 60 weapons and ammo – including assault rifles and military grade weapons – forfeiture proceedings and plea agreement reached today

Illegal northern Michigan gun dealing felony charge has forfeiture attached – After Undercover Probe at Gun Shows

Federal Prosecutors start forfeiture proceedings against northern Michigan man involving some weapons from across the globe

By Greg Peterson

Owner, News Director

U.P. Breaking News

***Scroll down to see details of the gun probe as it is in federal documents

 

(Bay City, MI) – A northern Michigan man – who was allegedly running an unlicensed gun dealing operation – entered into a plea agreement today with federal prosecutors after being charged with selling firearms without a license and now federal prosecutors are going to get the many other guns seized during their probe.

He was busted during an ongoing extensive undercover operation to snag illegal gun dealers across Michigan. The man made sales to undercover federal agents who are working guns shows in Michigan – and made numerous purchases that led to numerous cash sales – then the finding of 66 weapons – plus receipts from guns sales.

In exchange for his guilty plea, Schwartz is expected to receive three-years probation in exchange for his cooperation and admissions.

To read more about the case click this link to read the plead agreement:
Northern Michigan Gun Shows Dealer Plea Agreement 10-14-16

Benjamin Carl Schwartz, 31, Linwood/Bay City, MI will lose approximately 50 guns of all types from many countries plus lots of ammunition in the forfeiture proceedings – especially since it appears he is in plea negotiations with federal prosecutors. Scroll down to read the list of weapons and ammo. A plea agreement was entered today in which Schwartz agrees to plead guilty to the one felony in exchange for no other charges being filed. He must also give up all the guns and ammo.

Schwartz sold the guns on GunBroker.com used Eagle Valley Outfitters to make the sales transfers. Schwartz primarily used the Birch Run Gun Show to make sales but visited similar Michigan guns shows between 2012 and 2015 in Lansing, Grands Rapids and Houghton Lake.

Last week on Oct. 6, 2016 a “forfeiture of particulars” was filed by federal prosecutors that specific what weapons and ammunition the government plans to keep as fruits of the illegal guns sales. Plus a felony conviction would bar Schwartz from possessing a firearm. This is includes a vast array for handguns, shotguns, and rifles including assault weapons and military grade firearms.

On September 26, 2016, a federal document was signed by all parties that allows Schwartz “to enter a guilty plea” before U.S. Magistrate Judge Patricia T. Morris in Bay City, MI. If the guilty plea is entered, it would be accepted by Judge Schwartz and then need to be approved by U.S. District Court Judge Thomas L. Ludington, a routine way of handling guilty pleas.

A fourth federal prosecutor was added to the lineup last week on October 6, 2016 – Asst. U.S. Attorney Philip A. Ross of Detroit. The other federal prosecutors in the case are Asst. U.S. Attorney Nancy A. Abraham in Flint, Asst. U.S. Attorney Craig F. Wininger (branch offices chief) and Eastern District of Michigan U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade.

In a three-page federal felony information filed Sept. 16, 2016, Schwartz is accused of “dealing firearms without a license” on Nov. 5, 2013 and allegedly “willfully engaged in the business of dealing firearms without being license to do so” under federal law.

The information includes a forfeiture allegation that his plea agreement enforces – as Schwartz has forfeited all firearms and ammo.