Michigan Criminal Lawyers Blog

June 23, 2015

Tennessee State Trooper Facing Drug Charges After Allegedly Purchasing Narcotics While on Duty

47-year-old Mark Williams, a Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper, faces drug charges after he was allegedly observed buying hydrocodone, a narcotic drug, from 64-year-old Elliot Goode, according to a news article at WKRN.com.

Williams was on duty and in uniform when Tennessee Bureau of Investigation agents caught him in the act; the investigation had begun earlier in the year. Williams has worked with the Highway Patrol since January of 2004, and was placed on discretionary leave with pay following his arrest. All departmental equipment including badges and weapons were confiscated from Williams, according to state officials.

Williams was assigned to Lauderdale County in his position as a state trooper. He and Goode were booked into the county jail, where Williams was held on $10,000 bond and Goode on $7,500 bond.

June 22, 2015

Suspected DUI Driver Arrested in Northridge Following Fatal Accident That Left CSUN Student Dead

by Scott Grabel

On Sunday June 21, a fiery two-car crash in Northridge left 19-year-old Desirae Crystal Crittenden dead at the scene, according to a news report at KTLA 5. She was a student at CSUN (California State University Northridge).

The accident took place at approximately 3:30 a.m. in an intersection at Lindley Avenue and Roscoe Blvd. when a Honda Civic slammed into a red Ford Mustang, striking the driver’s side door with tremendous impact, according to LAPD Detective William Bustos. A desk officer said that in all, two males and three females were injured in the crash, with Crittenden pronounced dead shortly after the accident.

Those involved in the accident were between the ages of 18 and 21, although their names have not been released by authorities. Another passenger who was injured in the crash was not expected to survive at the time of news reports, and was listed in critical condition at an area hospital.

June 19, 2015

14-year-old Teen Boy Could Be Sentenced as Adult in Murder Attempt of Mother

by Scott Grabel

Recently, a 14-year-old Detroit teen was accused of attempting to murder his mother. Tommie Lee Grady has been “adult designated” according to a news article at Mlive.com, which means he may be sentenced as an adult although he will be tried in the juvenile court.

On June 11, Grady’s mother was shot numerous times at the family’s home on Wisconsin in Detroit; it is believed the two were in an argument when he shot at his mother. Police believe Tommie did the shooting, which occurred at around 8 in the evening. Reports claim Tommie also turned the gun on his brother, but fled the scene instead of firing at his brother. His mother was treated at an area hospital and released. On Friday, the teen was apprehended by police in the area of Meyers and Keeler in Detroit.

Tommie Lee Grady is charged with assault with intent to murder, felonious assault, and being a minor in possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. The assault with intent to murder charge carries a maximum life prison term for adults, however Grady’s punishment (which may be a mixture of sentencing allowed for an adult or juvenile) will be determined by the judge. He could be sentenced to life in prison, or a sentence that is less harsh.

June 17, 2015

Indiana University Safety Antonio Allen Arrested on Multiple Drug Charges

by Scott Grabel

On Tuesday June 16, 20-year-old Antonio Allen, football player and safety at Indiana University was arrested on multiple drug charges, according to an article at the Indy Star. Allen has been suspended from the Hoosiers after being charged with dealing heroin (more than 10 grams) and cocaine with a firearm. Both charges are level 2 felonies, which could result in 10 to 30 years in prison if Allen is found guilty.

A jail spokesperson said that the additional charges of dealing heroin and cocaine were added after a warrant was issued for Allen’s arrest for allegedly dealing methamphetamine. Allen was the team’s top tackler last season, with a total of 74 including 45 solo tackles. He would have been entering his junior season had he not been arrested. The university released a statement following the arrest, saying:

“Indiana University Athletics and the IU football program are aware of the arrest of junior defensive back Antonio Allen. Allen has been suspended from all football activities effective immediately. We will continue to gather facts, monitor the legal process, and take further action as the evolving situation warrants.”

June 15, 2015

Actor John Stamos Arrested for Driving Under the Influence in Beverly Hills

by Scott Grabel

On Friday June 12, actor John Stamos was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence after the 51-year-old actor was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, according to recent news reports at Fox News and CNN.

Stamos was driving in Beverly Hills Friday evening when police say they received calls just before 8 p.m. reporting a possible drunken driver. When police arrived in the area, Stamos was pulled over and verbally identified himself, while giving officers his driver’s license. He was the only person in his vehicle, and was transported to Cedars-Sinai by paramedics for a possible medical condition, according to Beverly Hills police Sgt. David Armour.

Once at the hospital, police determined that Stamos had been driving while under the influence; they arrested him and cited Stamos for DUI before releasing him to the care of hospital staff. He was released on Saturday morning and returned home. That same morning, Stamos tweeted that he was home and well, and thanked everyone for their love and support. He also expressed his appreciation to Cedars-Sinai and the Beverly Hills Police Dept. for their care.

June 12, 2015

Hart Man Potentially Faces Life in Prison for Allegedly Supplying Drugs That Led to Death of Woman

by Scott Grabel

On Wednesday June 10, 24-year-old Foster Mudget was charged with two counts of delivery of a controlled substance causing death after he allegedly gave drugs to a 46-year-old woman who died from an overdose. The substance allegedly given to the woman, whose name was not released in news reports, was not identified.

According to an article at Mlive.com, the Hart Police Department responded to an address last fall to investigate a drug overdose, which authorities say resulted in the death of the victim. A press release issued by SSCENT (State Sheriffs Chiefs Enforcement Narcotics Team) stated that Mudget was arraigned in 78th District Court on the two charges. The Oceana County Prosecutor’s Office issued charges against Mudget following an investigation conducted by SSCENT detectives and Hart police.

Update: Another news source, Ludington Daily News, claims the substances delivered to the woman who overdosed were heroin and Fentanyl. The article also reveals that earlier this year, the DEA (U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration) reported an increase in deaths related to heroin laced with Fentanyl.

June 11, 2015

Iowa Court of Appeals Overturns February 2013 Murder Conviction of 24-year-old Man

by Scott Grabel

In February of 2013, Justin A. Marshall was found guilty of first-degree murder after he allegedly shot John Versypt, a landlord at the Broadway Condominium Complex in southeastern Iowa City, during an attempted robbery. Police claim that Marshall shot Versypt in the head and hand as he attempted to rob the landlord. On Wednesday June 11, the Iowa Court of Appeals overturned the first-degree murder conviction, finding in their opinion that Marshall should have been allowed to prevent the jury from hearing the testimony of a jail informant who was working for prosecutors in the case.

Prosecutors said at trial that Marshall admitted to three Muscaline County Jail inmates that he had shot the landlord in a robbery gone wrong. Prosecutors also said there were other witnesses who confirmed facts the defendant had admitted to while incarcerated.

Carl Johnson, one of the witnesses, was in jail in 2011 on federal drug charges when Marshall was brought to Iowa from Texas to stand trial for the landlord’s death. According to a news report at The Gazette, the appeals court’s opinion states that in exchange for the possibility of a lighter prison sentence, Johnson signed a deal with federal prosecutors to provide information on other suspects. Johnson was asked by Iowa City police to provide information regarding Justin Marshall and two other individuals. When outside his jail cell, he had conversations with Marshall in which the defendant allegedly told him his intention was to rob Versypt, but that the robbery went wrong and the landlord got shot.

June 9, 2015

Year-long Investigation in Maryland Leads to Major Drug Bust, 18 Charged

by Scott Grabel

On Monday, June 8, a total of 18 individuals were arrested on drug charges in Maryland. 14 of those charged were allegedly involved in an operation in Silver Spring near a housing complex; the other four people charged were accused of trafficking drugs in District Heights in the area of a music studio on Cryden Way, according to a news report at WUSA 9.

The FBI, Prince George’s County police, and Montgomery County police made the announcement on Monday, revealing that 18 had been charged in what they called a “major drug bust.” Authorities arrested the defendants after two indictments returned by a federal grand jury were unsealed. Two businesses and 29 residences were searched, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland. The article claims the investigation had been going on for about a year.

One of the indictments charges four individuals with conspiring to distribute heroin and cocaine in the District Heights area. Two of the four, 36-year-old Anthony Niles and 30-year-old Abdul Hakim Sauda, are additionally charged with possession with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine. Niles is allegedly the “director” of the operation in Prince George’s County.

June 8, 2015

Associate AD at U-M Jim Minick Back to Work Following DUI Arrest

by Scott Grabel

Last week at a banquet held at the Montgomery Prattville Marriott in Alabama to benefit the Autauga Education Foundation, University of Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh announced that Jim Minick, associate athletic director at U-M, had returned to the program. Harbaugh had suspended Minick last month following his June 9 arrest on suspicion of drunken driving.

Minick, who was suspended indefinitely by Harbaugh on May 13, is now back in the football program, although there are “unspecified” consequences that will continue, according to Harbaugh who said there is a plan in place, and that Minick is following through with that plan. Minick was hired as associate athletic director at U-M in January after retiring from an extensive military career in the Marines.

On May 9, Minick was involved in a single vehicle accident just outside Ann Arbor; he was arrested at approximately 2:30 in the morning for operating while intoxicated. Minick did not make any excuses after being arrested, commenting to Fox 2 that he would face the consequences of his actions. He also said in his brief statement that he regretted the difficult position he had put his family and employer in.

June 5, 2015

Parents of Port Huron Young Girls Charged with Murder after One Dies of Apparent Malnutrition

by Scott Grabel

Recently, a 5-year-old Port Huron girl died due to what authorities believe was malnutrition, according to a news article at Mlive.com. Police received a call that Mackenzie Maison was unresponsive in her home. She was later pronounced dead at a hospital.

Reports indicate that two children in the home, both girls ages 3 and 5, were dehydrated, malnourished, and emaciated. Authorities also say there were signs of physical abuse on the two young girls. Port Huron Public Safety Director Michael Reaves said that there were also two boys living at the home, and that they appeared to be in fine condition, with no signs of neglect or abuse. Mackenzie’s father and stepmother are now accused of murder.

Andrew Maison, 25, and Hilery Maison, 27, were arraigned on criminal charges on Friday, May 29. Each is charged with two counts of first-degree child abuse, two counts of torture, and one count of open murder. The Maison’s probable cause hearing is scheduled for June 9. Reaves said that while the parents indicated the children had a reluctance to eat, the physical appearance of the two girls was not in line with what would be considered children who were simply picky eaters or on the thin side.