2/2/2025-2/15/2025

DISTRICT 1

Conservation Officer (CO) Ethen Mapes was patrolling the White Pine area when he observed a snowmobile go through a stop sign at a high rate of speed. CO Mapes followed the snowmobiler and observed them go through a second stop sign further down the trail. A stop was made, and it was discovered that the snowmobiler was operating while intoxicated (OWI). An arrest was made after the subject performed standardized field sobriety tests (SFSTs). Charges included careless operation of a snowmobile, fail to display registration as well as snowmobile OWI 1st.

COs Ethen Mapes, Zach Painter, Peter Shambaugh, and Sergeant (Sgt.) Marc Pomroy, held a group snowmobile patrol in Bergland Township. Two citations were issued for exceeding the maximum noise level, two for careless operation of a snowmobile, and one citation was written for expired registration. 

CO Ethen Mapes responded to a Subaru that was stuck in the snow after driving several miles down the snowmobile trail to Lake of the Clouds in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. CO Mapes and several good Samaritans on snowmobiles were able to push the Subaru back onto the hard packed snow and send the driver back to the plowed roads. 

CO Steve Sajtar conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle, well after dark, in Menominee County. When speaking with the driver, CO Sajtar noticed the passenger of the vehicle acting abnormally and avoiding eye contact. It was learned that the passenger had three non-extraditable warrants out of Wisconsin for bail jumping, possession of a controlled substance, and maintaining a drug house. The passenger also returned with a misdemeanor warrant out of Dickinson County for failure to appear on child support charges. After confirming the Dickinson County warrant was valid, CO Sajtar arrested the passenger. Two empty syringes were found on the passenger. The passenger was transported to the Menominee County Jail and lodged.

COs Alex VanWagner, Zach Painter, Jenni Lehto, Jared Ferguson, Steve Sajtar, and Sgt. Brian Bacon conducted a Saturday group patrol on the trails and lakes of Iron and Gogebic Counties on free fishing weekend. Many sleds and anglers were contacted, and a lot of snowmobile warnings were issued, mostly for sticker violations. Six citations were issued for snowmobile violations consisting of no trail permits and careless operation. Two citations were issued for fishing with too many lines.

COs Jeremy Sergey, Jackson Kelly and John Kamps inspected all ice shacks permanently placed on Teal Lake in Marquette County. All unlabeled shacks were identified and then seized the following day due to numerous calls from the public over the last four years. Abandoned shacks found frozen into the ice in the spring along with large amounts of litter have become common. The owners of the seized shacks contacted the DNR, and the shacks were returned along with citations for failing to put their identification on the shacks. Word about shacks being seized has spread throughout the fishing community and compliance has now hit nearly 100 percent.
CO Jeremy Sergey was a guest on the Mike Avery Outdoor Show. CO Sergey discussed the importance of ice safety during the ice fishing season as well as laws regarding snowmobile and ORV use on the ice.

COs Jackson Kelly and Jeremy Sergey were on snowmobile patrol in Marquette County. The COs worked an intersection where multiple accidents have occurred in the past. The COs witnessed a large group approach the intersection and one by one, stop at the stop sign. When half the group was through the intersection, the COs observed one snowmobile approaching from behind the group at a high rate of speed. The snowmobile passed the group and sped through the intersection without stopping or checking for cross traffic. The COs conducted a stop and issued the snowmobiler a citation for careless operation of a snowmobile. A total of six citations and multiple warnings were issued over the weekend for failing to stop at road crossings.

COs Jackson Kelly, Jeremy Sergey, and Sgt. Mark Leadman conducted a snowmobile speed patrol on Trail 417 in Chocolay Township. The snowmobile speed zone runs through a residential area where people commonly walk the trail. The COs issued multiple citations for operating well above the posted 35 mph speed limit.

DISTRICT 2

While on a group patrol, CO Robert Freeborn and Acting Sgt Andrea Dani, along with local deputies and a United States (US) Forest Service officer, patrolled a busy area due to an antique snowmobile show. Overall, compliance was good. The officers did issue two citations for operating without a helmet to spectators of the show.

CO Brandon Maki was patrolling at a snowmobile trail where the trail crosses a roadway. He observed pedestrians walking their dogs, motor vehicles, and a tractor use this road where the trail crosses. CO Maki observed a snowmobile slide past the stop sign and go through the roadway. It finally came to a stop at the other side of the road. CO Maki initiated a stop and contacted the rider. The rider stated he lost his group and was trying to catch up. A citation was issued for the careless operation, and CO Maki gave the rider directions to the area his group described to him over the phone.

CO Brandon Maki stopped a group of snowmobiles and while finishing up a contact, observed four more snowmobiles go by two of which had expired trail permits. CO Maki eventually caught up to the four sleds and made a stop. In addition to the lack of trail permits, it was discovered one of the snowmobiles had a registration that was expired by three years. Law enforcement action was taken.

DISTRICT 3

COs Adam LeClerc, Chad Baldwin, and Duane Budreau presented at Camp Daggett for a Father-Son Weekend. The weekend consists of different activities for the patrons to participate in the outdoors. The COs put the groups through a deer hunting scenario in which the kids were in the role of the CO and to investigate a complaint, including following the evidence and interviewing the suspect.

COs Andrea Albert, Chad Baldwin, Adam LeClerc, Dan Liestenfeltz, Nathan Beelman, and Sgt. William Webster worked a group patrol targeting loud snowmobile exhaust complaints in Antrim County. The patrol was a success with six tickets being issued for exceeding the decibel (dB) limit; the ranges were from 90.5dB to 95dB. A couple other tickets were issued for a suspended driver’s license, one ticket for no trail permit, a driving while license suspended arrest, and a warrant arrest out of Antrim County. Many snowmobilers were contacted with a high compliance noted for registration and trail permits.

CO Tom Oberg attended the annual Great Lakes Burn Camp at the United Auto Workers Conference Center at Black Lake in Cheboygan County. Each year, the event is put on for children who were victims of burns. Numerous outdoor related activities are scheduled for the children throughout the weekend. CO Oberg set up a table along with various types of animal furs and pelts for the children to look at and learn about.

CO Dan Liestenfeltz was conducting a snowmobile patrol in Montmorency County along Trail 449. While conducting the patrol, he observed two snowmobiles traveling his direction at what appeared to be a high rate of speed. CO Liestenfeltz used his RADAR speed measurement device and observed both snowmobiles traveling approximately 68 miles per hour (mph) along the shoulder of the roadway which had a posted speed limit of 55 mph. CO Liestenfeltz then observed both snowmobiles completely disregard a stop sign while traveling 68 mph. CO Liestenfeltz initiated a stop on the snowmobiles and issued both operators a ticket for careless operation.

COs Jon Sheppard and Alex Bourgeois patrolled Trail 992 northwest of Alpena on their snowmobiles. While patrolling, they witnessed a snowmobile fail to stop at a stop sign. CO Sheppard radioed to CO Bourgeois to stop the snowmobile. CO Sheppard followed and contacted the operator of the snowmobile. Once he was stopped, it was apparent that the subject also failed to have a snowmobile trail permit. Law enforcement action was taken.

CO Jon Sklba and Sgt. Paul Fox assisted the Presque Isle County Sheriff’s Department with a suicidal subject in Presque Isle County. The subject was located and found to be deceased. The investigation is being handed by the sheriff’s department. CO Sklba and Sgt. Fox conducted perimeter security and assisted other units responding to the subject’s location.

DISTRICT 4

CO Rich Stowe participated in an inter-agency snowmobile patrol with the Benzie County Sheriff's Office snowmobile deputy. Lots of contacts were made during the patrol and CO Stowe issued one citation for a trail permit violation.

CO William Haskin was patrolling in Wexford County on Lake Mitchell when he witnessed a group of snowmobiles drive at a high rate of speed within 100 feet of an ice shanty. CO Haskin stopped the group and found additional trail permit and equipment violations. Multiple citations were issued to address the violations.

Sgt. Ben Shively conducted a snowmobile patrol with an Oceana County sheriff’s deputy along Trails 19 and 191. Over two days, the officers had over 130 contacts and focused their efforts on safe operation and speed enforcement. Numerous stops were made, and two citations were issued for not having trail permits and one subject was cited for operating his snowmobile 15 mph over the speed limit along the shared roadway on Trail 19. While working the same area for speed enforcement, Sgt. Shively observed a side-by-side come off a seasonal road and begin fishtailing from one side of the road to the other. Sgt. Shively activated his radar and obtained a speed measurement on the side-by-side being 18 mph over the speed limit. The ORV was also observed coming over a hill completely in the opposite lane of the roadway while sideways. The subject was stopped and cited for careless operation of an ORV.

DISTRICT 5

COs Ryan Weakman and Cheyanna Langworthy gave a presentation to local high school students enrolled in the Mid-Michigan College CTE program. The class is for individuals interested in a career in law enforcement. COs Weakman and Langworthy talked about some of the unique differences in natural resources related law enforcement work compared to general law enforcement.

COs James Garrett, Jeremy Cantrell, Jacob Hamilton, and John Huspen conducted a snowmobile patrol from Grayling to Waters and back. Citations were issued for railroad trespass and no trail permit violations.

CO James Garrett attended the National Wild Turkey Federation Convention. He was selected as the 2024 Michigan National Wild Turkey Federation Officer of the Year, which put him in the running for the National Wild Turkey Federation Officer of the Year. During CO Garrett’s time at the convention, he was able to network with officers from various states. 

CO Kyle Bader had just loaded his patrol snowmobile after a shift of patrolling snowmobile trails in Ogemaw and Oscoda Counties when he heard MSP troopers check out on scene at a welfare check. Shortly after, they asked dispatch to send emergency medical services (EMS) and a medical examiner. They said they had to park on the road and walk in a considerable distance due to the driveway not being plowed out. CO Bader advised the troopers he had a snowmobile hooked up if that would help. The troopers asked CO Bader for his assistance. CO Bader borrowed a jet sled from CO Josh Jobin and responded. CO Bader transported the body of the deceased man out to the waiting ambulance and then transported troopers and the medical examiner to and from the man’s house with his snowmobile.

CO Joshua Jobin received multiple complaints of a subject burning household garbage, electronics, and pallets during the night to conceal the smoke. The subject was given a warning for burning by CO Jobin while assisting Oscoda County deputies with a domestic call at the residence prior to the complaints. CO Jobin again contacted the subject after she disregarded the warning and continued to burn. A citation was issued to the subject for open burning.

COs Jeff Panich, Jesse Grzechowski, and Sgt. Jon Warner patrolled Hubbard Lake for an annual ice fishing tournament. Ice conditions were great and over 500 anglers were registered. Multiple anglers were checked but not many fish were being caught. Citations were issued for fishing too many lines, leaving lines unattended, and unlicensed ORVs.

DISTRICT 6

CO Jacob Robinson assisted the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) with a commercial meat processor who was not in compliance with regulations. Upon inspection, the meat processor was in violation of multiple USDA, MDARD, and DNR regulations. The USDA and MDARD officers told the processor to cease and desist processing meat and the CO issued a citation for conducting commercial processing without a permit.

Multiple COs from District 6 attended the World Ice Fishing Championship that took place in Lakeview Michigan on Tamarack Lake with 10 counties competing at the event. The COs contacted a plethora of individuals and made sure the event was safe for all attending.

DISTRICT 7

CO Travis Dragomer observed a group of snowmobiles operating upon a trail in Van Buren County. CO Dragomer observed that all four snowmobiles had expired registrations, and one lacked a trail permit. After further investigation, one of the operators had recently purchased all the snowmobiles but never transferred them into their name. The owner was issued a citation and multiple warnings for the registration issues.

CO James Nason was near a personal injury accident where a minivan lost control on snowy roads in Barry County and crashed into a tree. CO Nason was first on scene and helped stabilize the elderly man who was pinned in the vehicle and very cold in the single digit weather. A short while later, firefighters arrived and were able to extract the driver. The driver was transported by ambulance and rushed to the local hospital to be treated for his extensive injuries.

CO James Nason received an anonymous Report-All-Poaching complaint in Barry County. Upon responding to the suspect’s residence, CO Nason interviewed the suspect’s spouse while the subject was getting dressed. Consent was received to search the property, and multiple deer were found hanging in the garage with no kill tags to be found. Multiple charges are being sought with the Barry County Prosecutor’s Office.

DISTRICT 8

CO Jason McCullough assisted the Calhoun County Sherrif’s Office and MSP with a juvenile who was found wandering around in a yard in rural Calhoun County. The juvenile was not dressed for the extreme cold and appeared to be overdosing on some type of narcotics. After transferring the juvenile to the ambulance service for transportation to the hospital, CO McCullough tracked the juvenile back to a residence. Unsuccessful attempts to contact a parent or guardian were made. After several hours, the MSP were able to contact a parent who stated they could not hear the officers knocking on the residence door. State of Michigan Child Protective Services became involved at the hospital and further investigation was turned over to the MSP.

COs Ed Rice and Nick Thornton received information of an illegal deer during the 2024 deer season. The COs interviewed the suspect who was caught multiple times providing contradicting information. The man later admitted to purchasing a license for a friend who wanted to shoot a bigger buck. The COs then went and interviewed the shooter. The shooter admitted to only having a restricted license after shooting a 4-point buck. After an unsuccessful attempt to purchase more buck licenses, he contacted his friend, who purchased a license and gave it to him to tag his deer. A report will be submitted to the Hillsdale Prosecutor’s Office for loan and borrow of a license.

CO Ed Rice responded to a suspicious/disturbance call of a man threatening to burn down a residence and break into a garage. CO Rice arrived and observed a man actively trying to break into the side door of the garage. CO Rice contacted the man. The man dropped a pair of scissors and stated he was trying to get his belongings out of the garage. There was damage to the door and the door’s frame. CO Rice learned the man had recently left a medical facility for mental health issues. CO Rice built a rapport with the man. Several additional units responded. CO Rice contacted the man’s mother, who decided to trespass the man from the property and pursue charges for the property damage. A report will be submitted to the Hillsdale County Prosecutor's Office for malicious destruction of property.

DISTRICT 9

CO David Schaumburger was contacted by Clay Township to assist with a vehicle identification number (VIN) inspection on a snowmobile. While inspecting the snowmobile, CO Schaumburger observed a VIN that was stamped so shallow that he could not identify the characters. CO Schaumburger attended a training years ago and remembered that you may be able to look up a VIN by calling the manufacturer and giving them the engine serial number. Sure enough, CO Schaumburger contacted Arctic Cat, provided them an engine serial number, and they returned a matching VIN. Unfortunately for all parties, the VIN did not match any of the machine’s characters. CO Schaumburger followed up with the National Insurance Crime Bureau with the VIN. With that information, they identified that the VIN provided by Arctic Cat was stolen 20 years ago and therefore the engine was probably too. CO Schaumburger contacted the original owner who stated that it was stolen 20 years ago, he was the original owner, and he was paid out by State Farm Insurance. Unsure of what to do with this stolen engine, CO Schaumburger contacted State Farm who confirmed it was stolen and said that they did not want to recover the engine. The current owners of the sled were allowed to keep the engine attached to the snowmobile. With all resources exhausted, the owner of the sled filled in the stamped VIN with an unknown black material that allowed the CO to positively identify the VIN, and they were able to get it registered at Secretary of State.

COs Nicholas Ingersoll, Andrew Monnich, Eric Smither, and Brandon Vacek were patrolling Devils Lake Tip-up Festival for ORV activity when they observed a side-by-side operating on the roadway. The COs followed the operator for several miles and observed signs of impairment from the driver. The driver was unable to maintain his lane, traveling in the opposite lane of travel, and operating carelessly doing donuts at intersections. The COs conducted a traffic stop on the side-by-side and the driver failed to stop leading the COs on a short pursuit before deciding to pull over. The COs conducted standardized field sobriety tests and determined that the driver was impaired and should not have been operating his side by side. The driver was arrested for OWI, flee and elude, and lodged in the Lenawee County Jail without incident. Charges will be sought through the Lenawee County Prosecutor’s Office.

CO Lisa Taube checked anglers on Lake Chemung on Sunday February 10th. During checks, she recognized the name of one of the anglers from a past complaint where charges were authorized for using false information to obtain a fishing license and obtaining a fishing license while revoked, but knew the case had not been adjudicated in court yet. After checking all the anglers on the ice, she returned to her vehicle where she checked the suspect and discovered he had an outstanding warrant for the charges issued in the past complaint. Contact was re-initiated, and the suspect was arrested on the open warrant and lodged at the Livingston County Jail.