3/2/2025-3/15/2025

DISTRICT 1

Conservation Officer (CO) Jenni Lehto was asked to be a guest speaker at Northern Michigan University’s Protected Area Management class. CO Lehto spoke about the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and how each division, specifically Law Enforcement Division, serves its purpose towards achieving the DNR’s mission.

CO Jared Ferguson was asked to talk with local college and high school students at a local trades school located in Dickinson County. CO Ferguson discussed being a conservation officer in the State of Michigan. The students were very involved in the discussion and had many questions regarding the everyday variety of tasks involved in being a CO. 

In the City of Menominee, CO Steve Sajtar observed two individuals ice fishing Michigan-Wisconsin boundary waters. When CO Sajtar contacted the two individuals, both claimed to have left their fishing licenses in their vehicles. CO Sajtar followed both individuals up to their vehicles to retrieve the licenses. One of the two individuals was able to produce a valid fishing license. The second individual had not purchased a valid fishing license in either state. Furthermore, CO Sajtar learned the individual fishing without a license had been convicted 14 times for prior fish and game violations in the State of Wisconsin. The individual had also been convicted for one prior fish and game violation in the State of Michigan. CO Sajtar seized the individual’s panfish and issued a misdemeanor citation.

After checking walleye anglers in the City of Menominee, CO Steve Sajtar responded to assist a nearby Menominee City police officer with a traffic stop. CO Sajtar arrived on scene and assisted the officer with a consensual vehicle search. The driver was found to be in possession of a controlled substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamine. The driver was arrested for possession of a Schedule II controlled substance. Possession of methamphetamine in Michigan carries a penalty of up to $15,000 in fines and 10 years in prison.

Shortly after dark in Menominee County, CO Steve Sajtar observed three individuals ice fishing on Lake Michigan near the Menominee Lighthouse. As CO Sajtar approached the individuals, he located multiple tip-ups with no identifying information affixed. One of the three individuals was in the process of reeling in a lake sturgeon. After asking how fishing had been, CO Sajtar asked to see the three individuals fishing licenses. All three individuals admitted to not possessing valid fishing licenses. CO Sajtar confirmed none of the individuals had purchased valid fishing licenses. Verbal warnings were issued to everyone for using tip-ups with no name, address, driver's license number, or sport card identification number affixed. All three individuals were issued misdemeanor citations for fishing without valid licenses.

CO Jared Ferguson had charged a subject for hunter harassment last deer season. The individual was spraying lighter fluid on another hunter’s bait in Dickinson County. The suspect plead guilty to the charges and received $965 in fines along with two years suspended hunting privileges.

DISTRICT 2

CO Jason Ruth was traveling on US-2 when he observed the vehicle in front of him pass a semi-truck on the right shoulder of the highway. CO Ruth conducted a stop and issued a citation for improper passing on the shoulder.

CO Scott Pankow was on patrol checking anglers on Munuscong Bay when he came across an individual who did not have his license with him. A quick license check with Station 20 revealed that he did in fact have a valid fishing license but also had a warrant out for his arrest for recreational trespass.  The individual was able to post the $500 bond and was issued an appearance date and was released.

CO Cole VanOosten was on duty in Luce County when a call of an active domestic assault went out over the radio. CO VanOosten was nearby and responded to the area. He assisted the Michigan State Police (MSP) and Luce County Sheriff’s Department with the investigation which ultimately resulted in the arrest of the woman for assaulting her mother.

CO Cole VanOosten was on patrol when a call of a hold-up alarm was reported at a local bank. CO VanOosten responded to the scene where two deputies had just arrested a combative male suspect. CO VanOosten assisted the sheriff’s department by gathering evidence and statements from inside the bank. The man was lodged in the Luce County Jail for attempted bank robbery and resisting and obstructing a police officer.

CO Justin Vinson attended the annual Eastern Upper Peninsula Snowmobilers meeting in Hulbert. CO Vinson provided stats for the season and answered questions from the local clubs.

DISTRICT 3

CO Nathan Beelman received a call from central dispatch regarding a raccoon that ran into a home and was now locked in a bathroom. CO Beelman responded and was able to safely remove the raccoon with a catchpole. The raccoon was able to be safely relocated.

CO Duane Budreau assisted Char-Em Intermediate School District Career and College Readiness Program by conducting mock job interviews with high school students from Harbor Springs High School. CO Budreau sat with 15 to 20 students individually and asked common questions that potential employers may ask in a job interview.

CO Duane Budreau attended a career day event at the Petoskey Middle School. CO Budreau talked with over 50 students not only about the career of a CO, but the path to become one. CO Budreau brought a fur kit made up of a collection of illegally taken and seized animals as well many that were legally trapped by CO Budreau. Each of the furs had a story attached, some of which were found to be very interesting to the students. The badger that had fallen through a ceiling onto a man’s chest while watching television seemed to be the crowd favorite.

CO Jack Gorno contacted two subjects fishing with six tip-ups on Mullett Lake. Unfortunately, one subject was without a fishing license. CO Gorno issued a ticket for the violation.

COs Kyle Cherry and Tom Oberg were first on scene to a residential structure fire in Otsego County. The COs responded and observed smoke and flames coming out of the windows in a small, vacant cabin. The COs evacuated adults and small children from an adjacent cabin before fire department personnel arrived to extinguish the fire.

CO Tom Oberg was stopped at a red light when he observed a pickup truck drive right through it. CO Oberg pulled behind the pickup truck and conducted a traffic stop. When contacted, the driver stated, “I’m going to tell you right now, I don’t have a driver’s license.” CO Oberg verified the driver’s information with Otsego County Central Dispatch which confirmed that the driver was revoked. CO Oberg issued two tickets to the driver, one for operating with a revoked driver’s license and one for failing to stop at the red light.

CO Dan Liestenfeltz was patrolling Montmorency County when a complaint came over the radio of an active incident at an elementary school. Multiple 911 calls came in regarding an adult male with a BB gun shooting young kids on the playground. CO Liestenfeltz quickly responded and was first to arrive on scene. CO Liestenfeltz located the suspect, who was a 17-year-old juvenile, and detained him without incident. It was determined that the 17-year-old had shot multiple 11-year-old children with a fully automatic airsoft gun causing large welts on their bodies. The suspect also had a small amount of marijuana on his person. Due to juvenile lodging restrictions at the Alpena County Jail, the suspect was turned over to his parents. A complaint was filed with the Montmorency County Prosecutor’s Office for felonious assault on school property.

CO Jon Sklba followed up with a deer investigation from the past deer season. CO Sklba contacted a subject who shot a 7-point deer in Presque Isle County during the firearm deer season. Upon investigation and interviewing the involved parties, it was determined that the subject purchased a license after shooting the deer. Enforcement action was taken.

CO Jon Sheppard received a call from the Alpena County Sheriff’s Department regarding a possible dead feral hog that was found. CO Sheppard responded to the area and picked up the animal, which was turned over to Wildlife Division for further analysis.

CO Sidney LaLonde followed up with CO Jack Gorno and assisted in the swearing in several warrants with the Montmorency County court regarding illegal deer taken during the 2024 season.

CO Sidney LaLonde followed up with a complaint regarding the posting of state forest land. The parties involved were advised to remove the signs.

DISTRICT 4

CO Josiah Killingbeck responded to a call of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in progress. CO Killingbeck arrived on-scene and assisted emergency services (EMS) with CPR. CO Killingbeck was requested to ride to the hospital to assist in life saving measures. While enroute to the hospital, resuscitation efforts were successful, and the patient was speaking with CO Killingbeck upon arrival at the emergency room.

CO Josiah Killingbeck responded to a report of an illegal burn pile. CO Killingbeck arrived at the location and determined the fire was a legal campfire. CO Killingbeck recognized the subject from previous contacts and learned that the subject had a warrant out of Lake County. The subject was arrested and lodged in the Lake County Jail.

CO Tim Barboza was patrolling Newaygo County at night when he smelled burning garbage. CO Barboza pulled over and with the aid of his binoculars saw thick dark smoke from the fire. CO Barboza contacted a male tending the fire and explained why he was there, the illegal burning of garbage. The male stated it wasn’t his and didn’t know what to do with it and didn’t want to pay to take it somewhere. CO Barboza observed paint cans, household garbage, a vacuum cleaner, and much more solid waste in the fire. The subject was cited, and the fire was extinguished.

CO Tim Barboza responded to a request for assistance from an Oceana County Sheriff’s deputy who radioed that a vehicle was not stopping for him. The deputy described a male driver and female passenger were fleeing and went off road into an orchard. The deputy called for a canine and additional officers for a perimeter. The deputy lost sight of the vehicle down a two track on private property. Officers from Shelby located the vehicle and CO Barboza and the MSP Canine Unit went to the location of the vehicle. CO Barboza assisted the canine trooper in the track. During the track, the suspects were located hiding behind a stump in the swamp. CO Barboza assisted the trooper in the apprehension of the two suspects. The female stated they were on parole, and she had cut her tether and told her boyfriend to run when the deputy attempted to stop them. They were lodged in the Oceana County Jail.

DISTRICT 5  

CO Ben McAteer received a call from the DNR in Roscommon about an elderly man lost in the Backus Creek State Game Area (SGA) after his dog ran off. CO McAteer found the parked vehicle registered to an 86-year-old man and was joined by two Roscommon Sheriff's deputies. After searching for about a mile, they heard the man yelling. Once located, the elderly man reported feeling weak from low blood sugar, so they decided to escort him to I-75 for EMS support. Both the lost man and his dog were successfully recovered.

CO Cheyanna Langworthy recently responded to a wildfire in rural Osceola County. The fire was started by a farmer attempting to eliminate invasive brush on his property. Family members initially tried to contain the fire before calling for emergency services. Unfortunately, one person required treatment for smoke inhalation due to their efforts to extinguish the flames. CO Langworthy issued a ticket to the farmer for failing to contain the fire and provided him with information on how to access resources regarding safe burning days in the future.

CO Ryan Weakman patrolled in the area of a planned ORV event in Clare County. Numerous contacts were made, including one traffic stop on a side-by-side utility terrain vehicle (UTV). Upon contact with the operator, signs of intoxication were present. CO Weakman administered roadside standardized field sobriety tests (SFSTs) and determined the operator was intoxicated. The investigation resulted in the driver being charged with operating a motor vehicle with a high blood alcohol content, which requires an alcohol content of .17% or higher. The driver was lodged in the Clare County Jail without incident and his UTV was impounded.

COs Ryan Weakman and Cheyanna Langworthy participated in the Irish Festival parade in the city of Clare. CO Weakman drove his patrol truck and pulled the area's newest flat-bottom river jet boat used for search/rescue and general patrols. The Clare Irish Festival is Clare County’s largest festival with numerous people in attendance.

COs Kevin Bunce and Troy Mueller were dispatched to a grass fire in nearby Reed City. When the COs arrived at the scene, numerous homes were in danger of being engulfed by the blaze, which stemmed from an uncovered burn barrel. Fortunately, the flames were able to be contained. COs Mueller and Bunce conducted an interview with the suspect. A report has been written and will be submitted to the Osceola County Prosecutor’s Office for review.

COs Kevin Bunce and Josiah Killingbeck received a complaint regarding a subject’s bizarre behavior at a recent grass fire. The fire originated from a burn pile that spread to numerous nearby properties. Upon reaching the neighborhood to extinguish the flames, DNR fire and local fire personnel observed an individual blocking his driveway to limit their access to provide suppression. The subject eventually moved, though continued to obstruct extinguishing crews by brandishing a "potato gun."  The subject allegedly aimed and dry-fired the pneumatic launcher at numerous fire personnel before eventually swinging the object like a baseball bat above his head to ward off the firefighters. Statements were taken from witnesses and fire personnel. A report will be submitted to the Osceola County Prosecutor’s Office for review.

CO Josh Russell was on patrol in Gladwin County when he received a call about a wildfire. He was nearby and arrived at the scene simultaneously with the fire department. CO Russell spoke with the individual who had ignited the grass field. It was a no burn day, and the individual took no precautions to prevent the fire from becoming uncontrollable. The fire had spread from the field to the woods and fortunately, had not gone any further. The fire was extinguished, and a citation for the violation was issued.

CO Jeff Goss responded to a brush fire that got out of control in Gladwin County. The man responsible for the fire was ticketed for allowing a fire to spread and warned of improper disposal of solid waste.

CO Tyler Sabuda assisted the MSP with a call for a felonious assault in which a subject had cut another individual’s throat with a knife and then barricaded himself in the residence. The MSP Emergency Response Team was activated, and the subject was later found deceased in the residence.

DISTRICT 6

CO Chris Kravitsky has had an ongoing issue with a subject camping in the Tuscola and Vassar SGAs located in Tuscola County. The subject had been cited in the past for leaving litter on state land. Another complaint came in from Tuscola County regarding the same subject. COs Kravitsky and Michael Eovaldi responded to the complaint and located the camper without a camp registration card and litter scattered around the parking lot. The suspect was cited for the violations and advised that all future violations would result in citations as the suspect has failed to follow rules explained to him several times by COs in the area.

While patrolling the Stanton SGA, CO Mike Haas witnessed a truck parked on the roadway with a subject outside. Using his binoculars, the CO could see the subject walking back and forth from his truck who appeared to be throwing something off the roadway. CO Haas returned to his patrol truck and drove to where he saw the subject on the roadway. Footprints were located on the shoulder of the road and CO Haas located a large trash bag filled with waste. CO Haas was able to follow the vehicle’s tracks on the dirt roads and eventually located the truck and conducted a traffic stop. The driver admitted to disposing of the waste along the roadway and received a citation for littering.

COs Mike Haas and Jacob Robinson were checking fishing activity along a trout stream in western Montcalm County when they encountered a group of anglers. CO Haas recognized one of the anglers and noted that the subject was shaking and acting nervous. A check of the angler revealed that he had an active warrant for his arrest due to not taking care of past fishing violations – the angler had been cited four years earlier by CO Haas while fishing the same stream. The subject was able to produce money for bond to avoid jail time and one of the subject’s friends was cited for fishing without a fishing license.

COs Jacob Robinson and Marissa Sturtevant received calls from Montcalm Central Dispatch stating that assistance was needed for a 21-acre wildfire that was spreading into the Vestaburg SGA in Montcalm County. The COs assisted the DNR Forest Resources Division and multiple other local fire departments late into the night with bringing essential equipment to the scene. After further investigation, it was determined that scrap metal was located at the origin of the fire that was believed to have fallen off a vehicle and sparked causing the grass in the area to catch fire. Once the fire was under control the COs cleared from the scene.

COs Jacob Robinson and Mike Haas were on patrol in Montcalm County when they received a complaint about subjects rapid firing at the DNR shooting range in the Flat River SGA. The COs patrolled to the range and witnessed subjects rapid firing multiple firearms. Numerous citations were issued for the rapid fire.

DISTRICT 7

CO Kyle McQueer was patrolling Barry County for ice anglers when he observed two individuals fishing on a secluded lake. Upon approaching the individuals, CO McQueer observed multiple tip-ups along with one of the individuals who was jigging for fish inside of his ice shanty with the door open. After contacting both anglers, it was determined one angler had five tip-ups out and was jigging with a rod inside of the shanty and the other angler had three tip-ups out and was jigging with a rod inside of the shanty. Both anglers received a citation for fishing with more than three lines per angler.

CO Carter Woodwyk was patrolling the Kalamazoo River by boat when he observed an angler fishing from their boat. The CO pulled up alongside the angler and conducted a license check and marine safety equipment check. The CO ended the contact and continued patrolling upriver to check for other anglers. Approximately 45 minutes later, when the CO was done checking anglers further upriver, the CO came back down river and observed this same vessel and angler still fishing. This time the angler quickly reeled in a rod/line and lure. The CO observed three rods/lines still in the water after he just witnessed the angler reel in a line. Contact was made, and the angler admitted that he knew he was only allowed three lines. Enforcement action was taken.

COs Travis Dragomer and Jeff Robinette contacted anglers fishing upon the St. Joseph River in Berrien County. One of the anglers stated he was 16 years old and provided a fake name and date of birth. After further investigation and confirming his correct information, it was determined that he was 18 years old and did not have a fishing license. A citation was issued.

DISTRICT 8

CO Nick Thornton noticed a suspicious entry while conducting a deer processor inspection. Further investigation revealed the possible illegal take of an antlered deer. The suspect admitted he had taken an 8-point antlered deer with his crossbow during early archery season without a tag. The suspect further admitted that he asked his wife to go buy tags so he could then tag the deer after the fact. The wife admitted that she did go purchase a deer tag in her name and then loaned it to her husband. This report will be forwarded to the prosecutor’s office requesting charges for taking an 8-point antlered deer without a deer license and loaning a deer license to another.

CO James Rowley followed up on information regarding a potential illegal deer that was taken in Ingham County during the 2024 archery season. Branch County CO Nicholas Thorton discovered and forwarded the statistical anomalies that warranted an interview with the individual. CO Rowley interviewed the individual at their residence in Lansing. The individual admitted to shooting the 10-point buck with a crossbow then purchasing a license the following day. The individual turned over the antlers, which were placed in evidence and enforcement action is being followed up with.

DISTRICT 9

COs Dave Schaumburger and Ariel Young were out checking boat launches when they encountered a lone trailer in a local launch. CO Schaumburger’s shift was coming to an end, so CO Young stayed at the launch to wait for the angler. After a little bit of time, the angler finally motored back into the launch. CO Young stepped out of the vehicle and the first thing the angler said was, “I’m not very good at counting.” The angler was not convinced they were anywhere near their limit of yellow perch. CO Young began counting fish as the angler pulled their boat out of the water. In the bucket there were a total of 58 perch. After questioning the angler, it was determined that they had been fishing in the Detroit River and not Lake Erie. The limit for perch in the river is 25 which put the angler 33 perch over the legal limit. After counting fish several times, 33 perch were seized and the angler was issued a citation for taking too many perch.

COs Joseph Deppen, Brad Silorey, Zack Cardinal, and Sergeant (Sgt.) Danielle Zubek were utilizing the district air boat to check the last ice anglers fishing in remote areas of Lake St. Clair. The COs checked multiple anglers throughout the day. CO Deppen checked an angler with a bucket full of fish and multiple fish dead on the ice. CO Deppen asked the angler if he was going to count those as part of his limit because they were dead. The angler argued he was going to throw the dead ones back and they should not count as part of his limit. CO Deppen counted the angler’s fish, and he was at thirty panfish. CO Deppen asked the angler if he had ever had a ticket by the DNR before? The angler said, “Yeah, for over-limit of panfish.” The angler was cited again for an over-limit of panfish.

CO Joseph Deppen received a complaint about a man in Macomb feeding deer in his yard. Back in January, CO Deppen received the initial complaint involving the same individual and gave him a verbal warning to stop feeding deer. CO Deppen arrived back at the residence and could see a salt block and piles of corn throughout the yard with deer actively feeding on them. CO Deppen knocked on the door and the same man answered. CO Deppen asked if the man remembered him from their interaction back in January. The man said, “Yes, I remember you.”  CO Deppen said, “Regarding the previous complaint, what did I tell you about feeding deer back in January?” The man said, “You told me to stop, but that corn and salt out there now are for the rabbits and squirrels, not the deer.” The man was issued a citation for baiting/feeding deer.

CO Griffin Korican and Sgt. Keven Luther were dispatched to an intruder in the Belle Isle Greenhouses. Upon arriving on scene, a male was observed walking out from the White House garage area. After contacting the subject, he stated he was lost and had not entered any of the buildings. After following up with initial caller, the subject who was initially observed walking out of the White House garage area was in fact the person who had entered the greenhouses. The individual was cited for entering an area posted against entry.

COs Mike Drexler and Sydney Griffor were working an afternoon Belle Isle shift when MSP dispatch advised of a vehicle stuck in the mud. The COs responded and found the operator had driven off the roadway into a field. The driver was slurring her speech and admitted to drinking that afternoon. Standardized field sobriety tests were administered, and the operator was subsequently arrested for Operating While Intoxicated (OWI). The driver was also operating on a suspended license, did not possess insurance for the vehicle, and had three outstanding warrants for her arrest. The driver was lodged at the Detroit Detention Center and a warrant request will be submitted to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office.