3/30/2025-4/12/2025

DISTRICT 1

At the start of Conservation Officer (CO) Steve Sajtar’s shift, Menominee County Central Dispatch issued a “Be on the Look Out” for a stolen motor vehicle. According to the Green Bay Police Department, the vehicle was stolen earlier that morning from a residence in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Shortly after leaving the Stephenson Field Office, CO Sajtar noticed a vehicle parked at a gas station matching the description of the stolen vehicle. CO Sajtar ran the plate through central dispatch and confirmed the vehicle parked at the gas station was stolen. CO Sajtar obtained a description of the suspect and located the suspect inside the gas station. After obtaining a confession from the suspect, CO Sajtar arrested the suspect for possession of a stolen motor vehicle and the vehicle was impounded. CO Sajtar later learned the suspect was on probation in Wisconsin when he stole the vehicle. The suspect admitted to cutting his GPS tether off in Wisconsin and fleeing the state in the stolen vehicle. The suspect had multiple non-extraditable warrants out of Wisconsin for violation of a court order, bail jumping, disorderly conduct, and larceny. A report was submitted to the Menominee County prosecutor and the Wisconsin Department of Corrections was notified.

COs Jeremy Sergey and Jackson Kelly assisted the Chocolay Police Department on a two-vehicle head-on collision on Highway 41 and Green Garden Road in Marquette County. The COs assessed the medical condition of one victim and assisted the victim into an ambulance once it arrived.

CO Jeremy Sergey attended career day at Aspen Ridge Middle School. CO Sergey spoke to several middle school students about life as a conservation officer. CO Sergey also discussed the application process and the importance of getting good grades as well as treating teachers with respect. CO Sergey explained that past behavior is looked at during a background investigation to become a Michigan conservation officer.

DISTRICT 2

CO Andrea Dani swore to a misdemeanor complaint from muzzleloader season in which the Alger County Prosecutor authorized charges including attempt to take deer with crossbow during late archery season in the UP, attempt to take deer outside of lawful hunting hours, and failure to report a deer harvest within 72 hours. The subject was mailed a summons by the court and the matter is pending.

CO Steve Butzin was on patrol when several calls went out for motorists stranded in ditches or motorists that had crashed their vehicle in Delta County during a significant ice storm. CO Butzin assisted local units in recovering these vehicles and completing traffic crash reports.

CO Steve Butzin gave a presentation at a local hunter safety class on rules and regulations pertaining to hunting. He also shared stories on what a conservation officer does and answered many questions from students in the class.

CO Scott Pankow received a tip that an individual was fishing on a bay in Mackinac County when they had already caught their limit of perch earlier that morning. They were currently out again with another person catching and keeping more perch. CO Pankow and Corporal (Cpl.) Todd Sumbera contacted the two individuals coming off the ice. The first individual admitted to catching their limit in the morning along with 20 additional perch and two bluegills in the evening. The second individual did not have a 2025 fishing license and had 11 fish in their possession. The individual advised they had 400 to 450 perch fillets in their freezer at home and gave CO Pankow and Cpl. Sumbera permission to look in their freezer at their residence. As they were getting ready to follow them to their residence, CO Pankow noticed the individual call someone. CO Pankow then contacted an officer from the Sault Ste. Marie Police Department to sit on the residence to make sure someone did not go there and pull the fish out of the freezer. While enroute to the residence, CO Pankow was advised from the Sault Police Department officer that when he arrived, there was an individual at the angler’s residence loading the back of his truck with many frozen perch. Upon arrival, CO Pankow and Cpl. Sumbera seized an additional 444 perch fillets (222 perch) from the subject’s freezer. A report was completed and submitted to the Chippewa County Prosecutor's Office requesting charges for fishing without a license, over possession of perch, and tampering with evidence.

CO Mike Olesen observed an individual operating an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) on a county road who wasn’t wearing a helmet and had also failed to license the ATV. CO Olesen conducted a traffic stop and recognized the individual as he had given him a verbal warning for the same violation in the past. A citation was issued for operating an ATV without a helmet.

DISTRICT 3

CO Chad Baldwin conducted a wilderness survival class at Charlevoix Middle School for the Outdoor Recreation Class. CO Baldwin utilized his search and rescue gear to demonstrate how to use the equipment and gear including different fire-starting techniques, making tinder from various material, creating shelters, and first aid.

CO Chad Baldwin presented to Pellston High School juniors and seniors for their Public Safety Class. CO Baldwin explained to the students the requirements for becoming a CO, the hiring process, what to expect while going through the academy, and field training. CO Baldwin shared stories and videos from the field to better help the students understand the responsibilities, duties, and lifestyle of career COs.

COs Chad Baldwin and Nathan Beelman conducted welfare checks in Charlevoix and Montmorency Counties after the ice storm in northern Michigan. The COs checked on residents and ensured they were safe, warm, had enough supplies, and provided information for local shelters, food, and fuel. 

In March, CO Andrea Albert was finally able to locate a subject that she suspected shot an 8-point deer during archery season without a license. After several interviews and further investigation, the subject admitted to shooting the deer without a license and had a friend purchase a license to tag the deer. The hunter claimed he had not changed his out of state driver’s license back to a Michigan license, where he currently resides, and the cost of the non-resident license was too much to pay. The 8-point was seized, and charges are pending for the violations including additional charges for the subject who lent his license to the hunter.

A devastating ice storm went through northern Michigan in the beginning of April. COs Andrea Albert, Duane Budreau, Chad Baldwin, Adam LeClerc, Nathan Beelman, and Sgt. William Webster responded and assisted with welfare checks in Emmet, Charlevoix, and Montmorency Counties. The COs, along with other personnel in the counties, went door to door delivering food and water and relaying needs to incident command. For over a week, the COs continued to assist in these efforts until the incident command posts were no longer necessary.

DISTRICT 4

COs William Kinney and Charlie Jones were invited to attend a local event in Traverse City. Sara Lee Bakery in Traverse City hosted a Hometown Heroes event for the public. The COs attended with multiple other local agencies from around the area. Hundreds of people attended the event. The COs fielded numerous questions from the public who were curious to interact with the wild fur pelts and patrol a vessel on display.

CO William Haskin was patrolling Wexford County when he noticed a large cloud of smoke. CO Haskin located the source of the smoke and found the remains of an old shed burning with shingles and other non-burnable material. CO Haskin spoke with one of the homeowners and she said her husband started the fire but was no longer at the residence. CO Haskin had the homeowner put the fire out and advised that he would be back to speak with her husband. After an interview, charges will be sought through the Wexford County Prosecutor's Office.

CO Josiah Killingbeck, while on patrol, checked an ORV who advised that a large, organized ORV ride would be in Lake County the following weekend. After learning details, CO Killingbeck spoke with the subject about the required state land use permit requirements. The following week, CO Killingbeck and Lieutenant Joe Molnar had several conversations with a subject regarding the ORV ride. The subject was advised that he needed a permit. CO Killingbeck learned that the group never obtained a permit and there was expected to be a large turnout. CO Killingbeck and Sgt. Meyers of the Lake County Sheriff's Office contacted the event coordinator on-site of the registration location. CO Killingbeck learned that over two hundred ORVs were registered with over an hour left of registration time. The ride utilized state land ORV trails. A citation was issued for holding an event without a permit on state owned lands.

CO Logan Turner and Cpl. Jon Busken were checking anglers in Oceana County along the White River. CO Turner checked an individual that did not have a fishing license and was also in possession of a steelhead. After running the individual through dispatch, it was found that the individual had a warrant out of Newaygo County. The suspect was placed into custody and during the search of his person, approximately 1.5 grams of cocaine was located.  He was lodged in the Newaygo County Jail for his active warrant. He was cited for fishing without a license and his steelhead was seized and donated to another angler. Charges are pending for the possession of a controlled substance.

CO Ryan Jager assisted Oceana County Sheriff’s deputies in Shelby Township looking for a domestic assault suspect who had fled an apartment complex on foot. As units were canvassing the area, CO Jager spotted a subject matching the description walking through the woods nearby. As CO Jager pulled into a nearby driveway, the suspect began sprinting through the woods. A tight perimeter was then set up around the area and the suspect was taken into custody a few minutes later.

CO Cameron Wright checked an angler who refused to produce a license or identify himself when checked. The CO ran the plate of the vehicle the subject was driving and discovered the subject had multiple warrants for his arrest throughout central Michigan. CO Wright asked the man if he refused to identify himself because of his warrants. The man said, “What warrants, I have warrants?” CO Wright arrested the subject and before they left for the jail, overheard the man list to his girlfriend exactly what the warrants were for and how much the bond amounts were. The man was lodged in the Newaygo County Jail and charges will be requested for fishing without a license and refusing to identify when requested by a police officer.

While on patrol, CO Tim Barboza was requested to assist the Michigan State Police (MSP) on an ORV stop near Newaygo. The nonresident side by side operator was ultimately arrested for carrying a concealed firearm without a permit and lodged by the MSP at the Newaygo County Jail.

DISTRICT 5

CO Ryan Weakman assisted DNR fire officers and the Harrison Fire Department by investigating a wildfire that burned approximately three acres. The owner of the property was identified as the suspect in starting the fire. The property owner was very cooperative and admitted to burning some logs, but didn’t check to see if there was a high fire danger. Enforcement action was taken.

CO Alex Bourgeois was patrolling north of Sand Lake when he observed a side-by-side vehicle driving down the road with flashing red and blue lights. As he got closer, he also noticed the ORV had an expired ORV sticker. CO Bourgeois initiated a traffic stop and advised the driver of the violations. He issued a ticket for not having an ORV sticker and a warning for the lights.

CO Casey Pullum noticed a dumpster at a local boat launch that continued to have household trash in it, keeping it full all winter. CO Pullum conducted covert surveillance on the dumpster and, after about two weeks, noticed a pickup truck parked near the dumpster. Two males exited the truck and placed a bag of household trash into the dumpster. CO Pullum was in the area and conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. The two males were questioned about placing the trash in the dumpster and quickly admitted to the crime. CO Pullum requested that they remove their trash and then issued a civil infraction citation.

CO Tyler Sabuda assisted in conducting wellbeing checks in Montmorency County after the ice storm. CO Sabuda located an elderly lady in her wheelchair and her elderly daughter. Their house had no power or heat, and the elderly mother was stuck upstairs. CO Sabuda assisted the elderly lady downstairs and into his patrol truck. CO Sabuda gave both individuals a ride to the shelter because they could not get their vehicle out of the garage.

CO Jesse Grzechowski was patrolling Alcona County near the Pine River when he located two anglers fishing a section of the river closed to fishing.  CO Grzechowski asked how the fishing activity had been and one of the anglers stated they had better luck the day before. CO Grzechowski advised the anglers that they were fishing a closed trout stream and walked them back to their vehicle. The anglers were issued citations for fishing a closed trout stream.

CO Joshua Jobin checked the harvest reports for Arenac County and discovered a discrepancy in the purchase date/time for an 8-point buck. CO Jobin contacted the subject, who admitted to harvesting the buck the day before purchasing a combo deer license. The antlers were seized for evidence and a report was sent to the prosecutor requesting charges.

CO Jeff Goss located some trash dumped on state land and located a pill bottle with a name and address on it. CO Goss contacted the suspect who admitted to dumping the trash. A citation was issued, and the man picked up the trash the next day.

CO Kyle Bader was patrolling for illegal fishing activity in Ogemaw County when he observed two people fishing in a closed trout stream. Law enforcement action was taken.

COs Kyle Cherry and Jake Hamilton responded to Montmorency County to assist the public after ice storms severely damaged the area. The COs responded to dozens of residences, some very remote, without power. Over multiple days, the COs assisted citizens, including many vulnerable adults, by supplying water and food and helping some elderly residents with their heat sources.

DISTRICT 6

CO Kory Crawley was patrolling a section of state land that is closed to all wheeled motor vehicles. CO Crawley observed a subject walking through the woods who stopped and crouched behind a tree when he noticed CO Crawley’s patrol truck. The subject then stayed in a hunched over position and ran in the opposite direction. Then CO Crawley heard a dirt bike, and the subject began riding away from the location. CO Crawley was able to navigate through the wooded area on foot to intercept the subject on the trail. CO Crawley was able to catch up to the subject and addressed the issue of operating an ORV in a closed area 

CO Mike Haas located two trucks parked partially on the roadway near a closed trout stream in Isabella County and noted that both trucks lacked valid registration. The CO contacted the owners of the vehicles as they were fishing on the closed stream. The anglers shared that they had caught numerous trout and noted that the small stream seemed to be full of fish. CO Haas explained that the stream was a “Type 1” trout stream and was currently closed to fishing due to fish spawning. The anglers admitted they had failed to check any fishing regulations and just went fishing. The subjects were cited for fishing on a closed trout stream and given information on other fishing locations that were open to fishing in the county.

COs Michael Lator and Adam Schiller were patrolling the Gratiot-Saginaw State Game Area in Gratiot County when they observed a side-by-side travel past them at a high rate of speed with an expired ORV license. The COs followed the ORV and performed a traffic stop after pacing the vehicle at 60 mph on the dirt road. Upon contacting the driver of the ORV, CO Lator observed two young children in the vehicle along with the driver and noticed that none of the riders were wearing seat belts. CO Lator explained to the operator that ORVs may not exceed 25 mph on the roadway and explained the importance of wearing a seatbelt and the dangers of continuing to operate the ORV in a careless manner. Citations were issued to address the safety issues along with several warnings.

DISTRICT 7

CO Carter Woodwyk assisted the Allegan County Sheriff’s Department in the search for a missing person along the Kalamazoo River in Saugatuck.  The CO, along with an Allegan County Marine deputy, searched a shallow flat off the main river channel and located the missing person, deceased, in the water.

CO Sam Schluckbier checked anglers fishing along the Swan Creek shoreline. Two anglers were found to be using lead weighted hooks, which are illegal to use on this creek. The anglers had one steelhead on a stringer and had caught and released several others. CO Schluckbier educated them on the law and allowed them to change hooks before continuing to fish. The adult angler was cited for the violation while the younger angler was issued a warning.

CO Sam Schluckbier was dispatched to an overturned kayak that occurred on the Kalamazoo River in Allegan County. Local first responders and county deputies were able to arrive on scene first and eventually located a male and female who got separated once their kayaks had capsized. CO Schluckbier investigated the incident and found neither to be following the law requirement of having a personal floatation device (PFD) on board. One of the subjects was issued a citation for not having proper safety equipment. The female subject was treated at a local hospital for a minor head injury and signs of hypothermia.

CO Travis Dragomer contacted multiple people fishing along the St. Joseph River in Berrien County. One check resulted in two adults stating their child was the only one fishing. CO Dragomer concluded this check; however, he continued observing the group from a distance for approximately an hour. CO Dragomer observed that one of the adults was the only person fishing and that the child never even touched a fishing pole. CO Dragomer recontacted the group and issued a citation to the angler for fishing without a license.

DISTRICT 8

CO Marc Mankowski followed up on a Report All Poaching tip and interviewed a husband and wife about their deer season success. The couple failed to harvest report four bucks that were taken, and further questioning revealed the husband shot a doe without a license. The couple were both cited for failing to harvest report their deer and charges for the illegal doe will be sought through the Eaton County Prosecutor’s Office.

CO James Rowley responded to a “Priority Backup” call from an Ingham County Sheriff’s deputy on US 127 northbound near Mason. An individual was walking southbound on US 127 next to the northbound lanes. The initial call was to check the welfare of the individual. When the Ingham County deputy arrived on scene to contact the individual, the next dispatch was an emergency tone and priority back up. Dispatch reported that the individual had produced two knives and was advancing toward police. Within a minute prior to CO Rowley arriving on scene, dispatch reported shots had been fired. Upon arrival, CO Rowley observed the individual on the ground near the median side of the roadway with deputies already beginning cardiopulmonary resuscitation. CO Rowley retrieved his first-aid kit and automatic external defibrillator from the patrol truck and began to assist with the medical services. CO Rowley placed a chest seal on the exit site of the gunshot wound. CO Rowley performed chest compressions until EMS staff arrived with the ambulance. CO Rowley was relieved by ambulance staff at the scene.

Ingham County 911 Dispatch requested assistance from CO James Rowley with an unwanted individual at a residence in southwest Ingham County. County deputies and MSP troopers were assigned to two simultaneous heavy response calls. CO Rowley arrived at the residence and immediately saw one individual exiting the front door of the home with another individual giving chase. The first individual approached CO Rowley, and the second individual stopped close by. CO Rowley attempted to de-escalate the situation by talking to the second individual. The second individual attempted to punch CO Rowley in the head with his left hand. CO Rowley gave commands for the individual to stop, but the individual proceeded to close the distance to CO Rowley. CO Rowley removed his TASER from its holster and activated the warning function but, the individual continued to approach. CO Rowley deployed his TASER and the individual, experiencing neuromuscular incapacitation, fell to the ground. CO Rowley gave commands for the individual to turn over on their abdomen and place their hands behind their back. The individual complied. CO Rowley applied handcuffs to the individual and then sat them upright. CO Rowley notified 911 dispatch of the situation and summoned EMS for evaluation.  Medical staff arrived with an ambulance and evaluated the individual also conferring with the hospital emergency room physician. The individual was medically cleared at the scene. CO Rowley spoke with the individual and determined the individual was experiencing a significant mental health episode. After verifying that no one else on scene was injured or requested medical treatment, the individual was transported to Community Mental Health Crisis Services in Lansing for evaluation and treatment. Charges will be sought on the individual for the initial assault on the other individual in the residence.

CO Wes Butler was out on patrol when he passed a vehicle parked on the side of the road that appeared to have an object sticking out of the driver’s side window. Upon closer examination, CO Butler discovered that the driver was sticking the barrel of a rifle out of the window. CO Butler quickly approached the subject to address the violation. The driver explained to CO Butler that he was out shooting woodchucks for a farmer. CO Butler explained that hunting nuisance woodchucks is not the problem, the problem was that he was shooting them from his vehicle. The subject tried to explain that he knew hunting deer from a vehicle was not legal, but he didn’t think shooting woodchucks from his vehicle was a big deal. The subject tried to justify himself by stating that “All my friends shoot deer from the road.” CO Butler responded, “That is exactly why I have a job.” CO Butler issued the hunter a citation for possessing a loaded and uncased firearm in a motor vehicle.

In Ionia County, CO Jeremy Beavers investigated a subject for having an animal in a live trap for multiple days in a row. CO Beavers patrolled past the suspect’s residence and spotted a skunk in the trap, but no one was home during the check. CO Beavers followed up the next day and a skunk was in the trap once again. CO Beavers attempted contact, but no one was home. During a later patrol, CO Beavers returned once again to see if the skunk was still in the trap. When he arrived, he noticed a tarp over the trap, and rocks on top of the tarp holding it down. CO Beavers contacted the homeowner and inquired about the skunk. There was a skunk in the trap, and he learned it was the same skunk he witnessed during his first check. At that point, the skunk had been in the trap for more than five days. The skunk was still alive, and CO Beavers was able to remove the skunk from the trap. During his investigation, CO Beavers also learned that the trap was not checked every 24 hours, as the homeowner was out of town during when CO Beavers first attempted contact. The homeowner stated that he tried to remove it but was afraid of getting sprayed. CO Beavers told him what he could have done instead of waiting for it to die and informed him of the regulations pertaining to checking the trap every 24 hours and immediately releasing or dispatching an animal once it was discovered. The homeowner was issued a citation for failing to immediately release and not checking his traps as required.

COs Cullen Knoblauch and Thomas Jaakkola located a suspicious deer harvest while conducting local deer processor inspection for the 2024 season. COs Knoblauch and Jaakola interviewed the suspect who admitted to killing three antlered deer during the 2024 Michigan deer season. The suspect confessed to having his wife purchase deer hunting licenses in her name and tagging his first two antlered deer that he killed with her tags. He then killed a third deer during late November and used one of his hunting licenses. The suspect stated he was keeping his second tag because he wanted to kill another antlered deer but never ended up using it. A report will be forwarded to the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office for charges.

DISTRICT 9

COs Kris Kiel and Brad Silorey were checking shore anglers at Lake St. Clair Metroparks when they observed two anglers in a small vessel, in the middle of the canal, with an expired vessel registration. CO Silorey called out and asked them if they had PFDs onboard the vessel. One of the subjects stated, “Yes, we have those little floaty things.” When asked to hold them up, the subject admitted they did not have any. A citation was written for failing to provide PFDs and a warning was given for the expired vessel registration.

CO Brad Silorey patrolled Macomb County Clinton River Spillway, checking anglers fishing in a gear restricted area closed for walleye. CO Silorey observed, from a tree line, two anglers casting larger lures on the closed side. CO Silorey made contact and asked to see fishing licenses. Neither angler had a 2025 license, and both anglers were using restricted tackle. Citations were issued to both anglers for failing to exhibit a license and verbal warnings for the gear violation.

CO Mike Drexler was on patrol in Washtenaw County when he contacted a motorcycle, and a dirt bike on railroad property. The operators stated they were out driving around on backroads but didn’t think about driving on railroad property as trespass. In lieu of several other citations, CO Drexler issued one citation for failing to display ORV registration and gave several verbal warnings.

While conducting a stationary RADAR patrol for speed enforcement at Belle Isle, CO Ariel Young conducted two traffic stops for motorists who were travelling at 41 mph and 51 mph. Both drivers had multiple violations. The first motorist was issued a citation for no proof of registration and was given a warning for speed and the second motorist was issued a citation for speeding and given warnings for their other violations.

During a traffic enforcement saturation patrol, CO Ariel Young stopped a vehicle that was travelling at 48 mph in a 25-mph zone. Immediately at the start of the contact, the individual asked CO Young “You can’t just give me a break?” and then handed CO Young a state identification card which is not valid for operating a motor vehicle. CO Young questioned the driver and found that they were suspended and had two active warrants for failing to appear in court. After talking with the individual, CO Young allowed the individual to call for a ride and someone to drive their car. The driver was issued a citation for speeding.

Sgts. Pete Purdy, Jason Becker, Keven Luther, along with COs Ariel Young, Dave Schaumburger, and Nick Ingersoll conducted a traffic initiative patrol on Belle Isle. The patrol resulted in 43 total traffic stops. 36 citations issued (28 speeding tickets, 4 no recreation passport, driving while license suspended (DWLS), expired license plate, no insurance, and no seatbelt). Plus 37 warnings, 11 warrant arrests and one vehicle impounded.

CO Griffin Korican was dispatched to an in-progress overdose on Belle Isle. Upon arriving, the subject was discovered to be struggling to breathe and struggling to stay conscious. CO Korican administered a dose of NARCAN, and the subject responded but soon fell back to struggling to maintain consciousness. After a few minutes, CO Korican administered another dose of NARCAN. The subject responded well and was transported by EMS to the hospital for further treatment.

While patrolling Belle Isle, Sgt Shane Webster noted voices coming from inside the old zoo. A foot patrol was conducted, and three individuals were located doing a “photo shoot.” They were escorted out of the zoo to CO Lisa Taube where citations were issued to all three for being in a closed area.

GREAT LAKES ENFORCEMENT UNIT (GLEU)

Cpl. Tom Peterson and CO Byron Parks assisted Hancock Police Department, MSP, and Houghton County Sheriff’s Office with looking for a flee and elude suspect in Dollar Bay. CO Parks and Cpl. Peterson located the suspect vehicle tucked behind a barn. The COs notified Hancock Police and assisted as the suspect was peacefully taken into custody.

Cpl. Justin Vanderlinde was checking dock fisherman in Whitehall, when he encountered an individual with an overlimit of bluegill. He was cited for the violation.

Cpl. Todd Sumbera followed up on a net entanglement complaint near Middle Island in Lake Huron. The complainant stated that while recreational fishing he noticed small floats on the water and before he realized what it was, he had already become entangled in the net. The complainant lost a lure, dodger, cannonball and release. Cpl. Sumbera followed up with the commercial fisherman in the area, who stated the net was not actively fishing and assumed that the weather we have had took its toll on the net markings. The fisherman stated that he would lift the net and notify Cpl. Sumbera, which he did.