Update: 3-25-18 5 p.m. ET
U.P. Breaking News has identified the second suspect arrested in Pelkie meth probe:
Ronald Francis Thompson lived with Kristin Bergeron and lived with her in Puuri Rd in Pelkie. Both are suspects in a meth investigation:
One Baraga County resident remains jailed in the eastern Upper Peninsula, whereabouts of other suspect unclear – as police investigate the couple for allegedly distributing meth – the female half already served time for being part of bath salts ring
By Greg Peterson
U.P. Breaking News
Owner, News Director
906-273-2433
(Baraga County, MI) – At least one member of a Baraga County couple jailed in the eastern U.P. for suspected meth distribution served time for dealing a powerfully addictive drug with an extreme amphetamine-like buzz called bath salts – one of several drug epidemics that have swept the U.P. since the 90s.
Kristin Ellen Bergeron
34-year-old Kristin Ellen Bergeron of Pelkie, MI was one of two people arrested on Wed., March 14, 2018 in Mackinac County by troopers from the Michigan State Police St. Ignace Post.
Bergeron and her “civil union” partner – also 34 years old – are expected to face meth distribution-related charges in Baraga County. Detectives also confiscated a weapon.
Federal prosecutors got a guilty plea from Bergeron in 2014 for being involved in a bath salts ring. She was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison – no parole. (scroll down to read press release).
Federal agents worked hard with U.P. drug teams to wipe out the bath salts epidemic that swept the U.P. in the late 2010. Another big epidemic that swept northern Michigan was CAT – or methcathinone. The drugs all provided a speed like buzz – with ghastly side-effects.
Why meth is worst so far: God Bless our drug teams but they do not have the funding and manpower to make a dent in the problem including funds for massive operation going after those who ship ephedrine to the U.P. – or drive it here
All these highly-addictive drugs happened to otherwise good people in the Upper Peninsula, where family values still have a credible meaning.
The drugs simply changed them – consuming the lives of the addicts – though rehab helps. That’s another problem
If there were more treatment facilities in the U.P. lots more people could become healthy instead of choosing the abyss. Remember if you love the person, do not be judgmental- as addicts already know what they have done.
The meth epidemic and the drop in heroin prices have led to the worst of the epidemics so far – due to the vast number of users (and poverty) – versus relatively small police drug teams.The drug teams could use twice the funding and manpower to really make a bigger effect – more if you want to end it for all practical purposes.
However our readers say that China is pumping ephedrine into the U.P. (a critical component of meth) – and so are dealers from bigger Midwestern cities.
With the large epidemic under way in U.P. history – its important to wipe out meth by turning in dealers and providing treatment to others (yes they are victims).
“Bath Salts”
Alpha-pyrrolidinopentiphenone, commonly known as alpha-PVP, and pentylone.
The term “bath salts” refers to a group of substances containing synthetic cathinones that all have similar chemical properties. These substances have a powerful amphetamine-like effect on the central nervous system when consumed. Synthetic cathinones are chemically similar to the natural drug cathinone, a drug that comes from khat plants in east Africa.
In Mackinac County, the pair are charged with operating under the influence of drugs and possession of methamphetamine.
During the raid, UPSET “seized several more grams of methamphetamine, as well as scales, packaging for distribution, and a firearm.”
Press release by federal prosecutors on May 14, 2014:
MARQUETTE, MICHIGAN – U.S. District Judge R. Allan Edgar sentenced three people for their involvement in distributing two powerful “bath salts” – alpha-pyrrolidinopentiphenone, which is commonly known as alpha-PVP, and pentylone – for human consumption in the Upper Peninsula.
Scott Bernard Will, age 56, of Mass City, Michigan, received a sentence of 137 months (11 ½ years) in federal prison. Last December, a federal jury in Marquette found Will guilty of distributing and conspiring to distribute alpha-PVP and pentylone in Baraga and Houghton Counties. In imposing the sentence, Judge Edgar commented on Will’s extensive criminal history, noting that Will was a “walking crime wave.”
Also sentenced were Derrick John Guzek, age 34, also of Mass City, and Kristen Ellen Bergeron, age 31, of Pelkie, Michigan. Guzek received a sentence of 16 months in prison while Bergeron was sentenced to 18 months.
The term “bath salts” refers to a group of substances containing synthetic cathinones that all have similar chemical properties. These substances have a powerful amphetamine-like effect on the central nervous system when consumed. Synthetic cathinones are chemically similar to the natural drug cathinone, a drug that comes from khat plants in east Africa.
The evidence presented at trial showed that Will began selling bath salts in the Marquette area in 2011. He was jailed for his activities from June 2011 until November 2012. But, upon release from jail, he went back to selling the substances. Will’s sales of alpha-PVP and pentylone in Baraga and Houghton Counties in early 2013 drew the attention of the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team and the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs.
An undercover officer made a number of purchases of these substances from Mr. Will and his co-conspirators in March and April 2013. He and his co-conspirators were arrested in April 2013. Guzek and Bergeron pled guilty and testified for the government. Will went to trial in Marquette on December 9, 2013.
As part of its case, the government presented testimony from users who said that the bath salts sold to them by Will were extremely powerful and addictive. They reported staying up for days after injecting the substances, and experiencing psychosis, paranoia and suicidal thoughts. Judge Edgar noted that the users were “physically wrecked by these drugs.”
The evidence at trial showed Will specifically targeted people with drug problems by offering the substances for free. Once the user was hooked, Will charged up to $200 per gram.
This case was investigated by the Michigan State Police as part of the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maarten Vermaat and Paul D. Lochner prosecuted the case.
https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmi/pr/2014_0515_SWill_etal.html
On Thursday, March 15, 2018 – agents from the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement team (UPSET) raided the couple’s home near Pelkie, MI. UPSET executed a search warrant at the couple’s residence on Puuri Road in Baraga County.
Bergeron’s 34-year-old male partner was jailed in Mackinac County – but is no longer listed as an inmate.
Baraga County is among the growing number of U.P. counties who refuse to publicly release info on booked suspects – so it is unclear if he is out on bond – or has been transferred.
If you know the other suspect’s name (partner of Bergeron) please contact U.P. Breaking News.
Bergeron is a native of Dearborn Heights, according to her Facebook page.
https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmi/pr/2014_0515_SWill_etal.html
https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/granule/USCOURTS-miwd-2_13-cr-00009/USCOURTS-miwd-2_13-cr-00009-10
UPSET Commander Lt. Timothy “Tim” L. Sholander and the entire UPET team hope you will turn in meth dealers – as it is a scrounge that has ruined thousands of U.P. families – along with the other easy-to-get highly addictive drugs like heroin, fentanyl and cocaine.
Do you have information about illegal drugs in your community?
Contact UPSET at 906-228-1002 or leave an anonymous tip on the UPSET website at http://www.upsetdrugs.com
Upper Peninsula Breaking News by Greg Peterson 