Fatal Groomer Accident: More Tragedy on the U.P. Trails – A young Schoolcraft County man died Thursday during an incident with a groomer – U.P. snowmobile season started with tragedy – and recovered until now

URGENT U.P. Breaking News Bulletin – 1-19-17 11 p.m. URGENT URGENT More Tragedy on the U.P. Trails – A young Schoolcraft County man died today working/repairing a groomer – U.P. snowmobile season started with tragedy – and recovered til now

A snowmobile trail groomer – who loved his job – was killed in Schoolcraft County Thursday during a freak groomer accident in a groomer’s barn in Seney

After tragic start, then great conditions, this Upper Peninsula snowmobile season continues to change lives and break hearts – A painful season in all corners of the U.P.

Remembering – Tyler Barker – a Schoolcraft County trail groomer with a heart of gold – who died today way before his time (below see the groomer photo he recently posted, also a video of the young man two years ago enjoying summer with his friends)

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

(Seney, MI) – A young snowmobile trail groomer – who was thrilled by his job – was killed Thursday during a freak accident involving a groomer.

The victim has been identified by other groomers and family friends online. Those posts identified the victim as Tyler Barker, in his 20s. Tyler is the son of John and Marcy Barker of Germfask, MI. The victim is survived by his parents, a brother, John Barker; and a sister.

There is a lot of conflicting information on what exactly happened that caused Barker to become so seriously injured by a groomer. Numerous sources say he was pinned – but others who claim to know refuse to comment.

Tyler Barker graduated from the Manistique High School class of 2014, according to his Facebook page that explains his love for groomers and enjoying life. The accident reportedly happened Thursday afternoon near Seney, MI in Schoolcraft County. Some online comments to this story say the incident happened inside a groomer’s barn.

For 30 years, Schoolcraft County is one of the most secretive places – not revealing many things that happened – and that is true with this story.

U.P. Breaking News was told the accident happened Thursday afternoon – along or near – a snowmobile trail. Presumably this groomers barn is near a snowmobile trail (however no officials have commented – and some who claim to know say the groomer’s barn is not near a trail).
U.P. Breaking News would like to report exactly what happened – however numerous online comments from people who claim to know – do not shed any light on this terrible incident.  Plus Schoolcraft County officials never return phone calls only adding to rumors people are spreading. Even those who claim to know have varying accounts – as some say it happened in the barn and others say outside but not near a trail.

By all accounts, the paramedics/EMTs/First Responders did everything they could to save Tyler Barker – including CPR all the way to M-28 in Marquette County – where the victim was transferred to an U.P. Health System – Marquette ambulance with advanced life support.

This photo was posted by Tyler Barker on January 13, 2017 – less than a week before his terrible accident Thurs., Jan. 18, 2017 (further down is a video he posted):

The young man “was severely injured this afternoon in Seney,” said one of the condolences.

DNR photo of trailer groomer wreck in Luce County during 2016-2017 Christmas and New Year holidays when U.P. trail conditions were soft and melting

Officials have not put out a news release. Several sources say Tyler Barker was rushed by Luce County EMS to Marquette. However, his injuries were too serious and he died at U.P. Health System – Marquette.

Members of the Tahquamenon Area Snowmobile Association tonight are said to be in shock and mourning the loss of Tyler Barker.

Tyler Barker on Facebook:

• Studied at Manistique High School
• Went to Manistique High School
• Lives in Germfask, Michigan

• From Germfask, Michigan

  Posted this video in 2014:

  https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Ftyler.barker.188%2Fvideos%2Fvb.100001451742797%2F692386817486370%2F%3Ftype%3D3&show_text=0&width=400

Several tragic accidents in Luce County – and other areas of the U.P. – over the Christmas and New Year holidays that seriously injured several people as trail conditions had deteriorated due to unseasonably warm weather. Those incidents caused statewide reaction from snowmobilers.

Since cold returned, trail conditions improved drastically. However, the U.P. has had another spell of warm weather. So beware of all trail conditions as warmer weather conditions that can make snow and the trails soft.

Shades of “Rock Star Rick” – Richard Hill of Ironwood, Michigan faces a max of 100 years in federal prison if convicted on conspiracy and distribution of meth

The many faces of Richard Hill of Ironwood – aka “Rock Star Rick” – according to federal indictment

(Marquette, MI) – He’s called “Rock Star Rick” to his meth customers – alleges a federal indictment at U.S. District Court in Marquette.

37-year-old Richard John Hill of Ironwood, MI – who was allegedly busted with $75,000 in methamphetamines – appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy P. Greeley on Friday, July 18, 2014 because of a superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury to replace the original indictment – adding additional charges.

Rockstar Rick Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/Rockstarick/photos

Meth Suspect Rockstar Rick Hill in Vegas (Facebook)

In addition, the federal government has started forfeiture proceedings in connection with the cash, vehicles, and property seized in a  raid earlier this year.

The indictment mentions co-defendants.

Hill is charged with one federal county of conspiracy to distribute meth between July 2013 and March 6, 2014. That conspiracy charge carries a minimum 5 years in prison and a maximum 40 years in prison and a five million dollar fine.

He is also charged with three counts of possession of meth with intent to distribute. Each count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

The indictment alleges that Hill and his alleged co-conspirators manufactured 50 grams (about 2 ounces) or more of liquid containing methamphetamine.

Hill pled not guilty and the case was tentatively set for trial during the October 20, 2014 federal docket in Marquette.

If “Rock Star Rick” is convicted on all charges – he could face 100 years in Jail. He is being held in the Chippewa County Jail near the Soo – that jail has a contract for federal prisoners – therefore he is lodged on the other side of the U.P. From his Gogebic County Home.

Rebecca Suzik

Hill was arrested in March 2014 with 37-year-old Rebecca Suzik of Ironwood.

They were charged with two state felony counts of delivery/manufacture of meth and possession of meth.

The Gogebic Iron Area Narcotics Team arrested the pair after serving a search warrant at 223 Kennedy Street in Ironwood.

Hill was represented in federal court by Attorney Jesse J. Monville of White Pine not far from Hill’s home in Gogebic County.

More arrests are possible and federal authorities have declared the U.P. meth problem a public health crisis.

Rebecca Suzik

Related links:

Federal Judge R. Allan Edgar
U.S. District Court Judge R. Allan Edgar
U.S. District Court Western District of Michigan
http://www.miwd.uscourts.gov/content/judge-r-allan-edgar
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Allan_Edgar
http://www.fjc.gov/servlet/nGetInfo?jid=686&cid=999&ctype=na&instate=na
http://www.judicialwatch.org/document-archive/allan-r-edgar-financial-disclosure-report-for-2003
http://www.hamiltoncountyherald.com/Story.aspx?id=1210&date=4%2F16%2F2010

U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy P. Greeley
http://www.nmu.edu/criminaljustice/node/75
http://abc10up.com/greeley-reappointed-u-s-magistrate-judge
http://www.nmu.edu/criminaljustice/node/135
http://www.miwd.uscourts.gov/content/magistrate-judge-timothy-p-greeley
http://www.historyforsale.com/html/prodetails.asp?documentid=175357&start=1&page=92

Federal Prosecutors:

Asst. U.S. Attorney Hannah Bobee
She is Native American and and an enrolled member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians
http://www.rosettelaw.com/attorney-bio-bobee.html
http://www.justice.gov/dea/divisions/det/2013/det061913.shtml
http://www.leadershipdirectories.com/profiles/Hannah-Bobee-Assistant-US-Attorney-Marquette-%28MI%29-Office-.htm

Asst. U.S. Attorney Maarten Vermaat
http://www.justice.gov/usao/miw/news/2012/2012_0525_VProtasoff.html
http://abc10up.com/greeley-reappointed-u-s-magistrate-judge
http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2010/07/12/attorney-actor-john-stamos-fling-year-old-student

Gogebic County Meth Cases include:

Joshua Anderson, 31; co-defendant, Alyssa Pollard, 23,
http://abc10up.com/federal-drug-charges-brought-against-ironwood-man
Tina Rappley, 53;
http://www.fox21online.com/news/article/three-arrested-upper-michigan-meth-bust

53-year-old Tina Marie Rappley, 52-year-old Gerald John Abramson and 43-year-old Michelle Lee Kitto
http://abc10up.com/update-meth-arrests-in-ironwood
http://abc10up.com/meth-lab-lands-ironwood-man-in-prison-for-up-to-20-years

George Davis, 59; Kristin Carter, 31; 40–year-old Wendy Hemmings, 34 year old Cindi Christensen and 35 year old Joel Graser, Jr.
http://abc10up.com/max-20-yrs-in-prison-for-meth-lab-defendant/
http://wkqsfm.com/upper-peninsula-news-updates/20836/charged-ironwood-meth-lab/

Upper Peninsula man who made more than a quarter pound of meth gets seven years in federal prison in case that shows the major damage caused by meth labs to countless Michigan homes

50-year-old James Dean Wyatt is escorted out of federal court by U.S. Marshals in Marquette, MI and was transfered to jail.

Photos by Greg Peterson/Upper Peninsula Breaking News

Upper Peninsula man who made more than a quarter pound of meth gets seven years in federal prison in case that shows the major damage caused by meth labs to countless Michigan homes

(Marquette, MI) – In a case that highlights the extensive property damage cause by methamphetamine labs across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, a Delta County man was sentenced to 7 years in federal prison on Thursday for manufacturing more than a quarter pound of meth over two years while renting a home in the tiny town of Rock.

50-year-old James Dean Wyatt was sentenced to 86 months in federal prison on July 17, 2014 in Marquette federal court by  U.S. District Court Judge R. Allan Edgar for the Western District of Michigan.

Wyatt was arrested by the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team (UPSET) last fall at a home he was renting at 14512 M-35 in Rock . The state charges that against Wyatt were later made into a federal case.

Judge Edgar ordered Wyatt to pay $11,500 in restitution to his former landlords because of the immense damage his meth lab did to their home and property.

Noting Wyatt has “no assets,” the judge to the elderly couple who rented the home to Wyatt that he is “not optimistic you (the homeowners) will every collect this money.”

Judge Edgar ordered Wyatt to undergo 500 hours of drug treatment/substance abuse program, DNA testing, mental health treatment, he cannot possess controlled drugs, alcohol and firearms, pay court costs and after serving his sentence will be under three years of “supervised release” aka probation.

Wyatt “made a lot of meth – more than is reflected in the pre-sentence report,” said Judge Edgar about the 110 grams of meth (nearly a quarter pound) that Wyatt produced in Rock. “I would do more if I could – it’s just I can’t.”

Meth “is the most addictive and most harmful drug out there because of its effect on people and the community in general,” Judge Edgar said. “It would be a benefit for us all for this (meth epidemic) to stop.”

The case underscores what homeowners must deal with if they rent to someone who later manufactures meth.

Countless U.P. homes have been destroyed by meth labs and too often homeowners end up footing the bills.

“We’ve seen this occurring across the U.P. – it has become a big problem,” said prosecutor Maarten Vermaat, an Asst. U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan.

Empty bottles, chemicals used to make meth and other dangerous products were found in “burn pits” around the residence rented by Wyatt and at other meth busts, Vermaat said.

The inside of homes are destroyed by meth fumes that “pollutes the air in the house” and seeps into the “paint and walls,”  Vermaat said. Homeowners, and not the suspects “are left holding the bag.”

“It’s an unfair situation” that requires a “legislative act” to protect future land and homeowners, Vermaat said.

An elderly Rock couple, who asked not to be identified publicly, appeared in court to describe the damage done to their home by Wyatt’s meth lab including the over $11,000 it was cost to clean up the residence.

“It a sad day for all of us,” said the elderly female homeowner, adding the house now needs to be professionally cleaned and needs a new roof due to the meth fumes. “We rented to him (Wyatt). We trusted him.”

The home has been “condemned by the Delta-Menominee health department,” she said. “We have already spent lots of money” trying to clean the home.”

“What are we to do,” she said asked. “This has been emotionally and physically devastatingly to us.”

“There is no help for us – as victims – who rented a house to a man who we trusted,” she said. “We may have to give the house to the state of Michigan.”

“It’s just a travesty,” she said. “A lot of stuff has to be gutted out.”

“It was a cute home. It’s like a junkyard now,” she said adding the fair market value for the home before the lab was $30,000.

“I apologize to the government for getting involved in the meth business,” Wyatt on July 17, 2014 said during sentencing in U.S. District Court in Marquette. “I apologize to the people I have offended. .. I apologize to (my) mother.”

Marquette Criminal Defense Attorney Timothy C. Quinnell tried to get Wyatt a reduced sentence by arguing that a reduction of federal sentencing guidelines is expected this November (2014) plus health issues.

Quinnell said his client used meth, alcohol and other drugs because Wyatt has a “mixed bag” of medical problems

Wyatt is guilty of “self-medication of methamphetamine,” defense attorney Quinnell said after describing a Syringomyelia cyst in Wyatt’s spinal cord and a heart condition.

However a federal prosecutor was not impressed with man’s health issues.

“The last thing he (Wyatt) needed to do is use meth for 2 years,” said prosecutor Maarten Vermaat, an Asst. U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan.

Wyatt’s heart issues “were brought on by himself” by using meth, Vermaat said. Wyatt “is probably going to have some (heart problems) now.”

Related links:

Federal Judge R. Allan Edgar
U.S. District Court Judge R. Allan Edgar
U.S. District Court Western District of Michigan
http://www.miwd.uscourts.gov/content/judge-r-allan-edgar

Federal Prosecutors:

Asst. U.S. Attorney Hannah Bobee
She is native American and and an enrolled member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians
http://www.rosettelaw.com/attorney-bio-bobee.html
http://www.justice.gov/dea/divisions/det/2013/det061913.shtml
http://www.leadershipdirectories.com/profiles/Hannah-Bobee-Assistant-US-Attorney-Marquette-%28MI%29-Office-.htm

Asst. U.S. Attorney Maarten Vermaat
http://www.justice.gov/usao/miw/news/2012/2012_0525_VProtasoff.html
http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2010/07/12/attorney-actor-john-stamos-fling-year-old-student