District 1 counties of service: Baraga, Dickinson, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw, Marquette, Menominee, Ontonagon.
In Menominee County, Conservation Officer Steve Sajtar responded to a high-risk situation involving an intoxicated individual threatening to cause a head-on vehicle collision. Arriving alongside a Menominee County sheriff’s deputy, CO Sajtar successfully de-escalated the scene. Following an evaluation by EMS, it was determined the subject was no longer a threat to himself or others.
CO Alex VanWagner assisted Michigan State Police troopers and Iron County deputies in responding to a domestic assault in progress at a residence in Iron River. Upon arrival, officers located a male subject with a superficial knife wound. After conducting interviews at the scene, MSP arrested a female subject on charges of felonious assault.
District 2 counties of service: Alger, Chippewa, Delta, Mackinac, Luce, Schoolcraft.
CO Steve Butzin collaborated with multiple agencies in Delta County to rescue an 88-year-old resident trapped in her home for several days without power during a severe winter storm. The resident was safely evacuated via snowmobile and reunited with her family.
In a separate incident on Lake Superior, Cpl. Cole VanOosten and CO Brandon Maki apprehended three anglers who had harvested double their legal limit of coho salmon. Authorities are currently pursuing license revocation and restitution for the illegal catch.
District 3 counties of service: Alpena, Antrim, Cheboygan, Charlevoix, Emmet, Montmorency, Otsego, Presque Isle.
During a routine taxidermy inspection, CO Andrea Albert identified a nine-point deer shoulder mount with a suspicious license. Further investigation revealed the license had been purchased after the deer was already harvested. As a result, the mount was seized, and a formal report has been submitted to the prosecutor’s office for potential charges.
CO Jon Sklba responded to a rollover accident in Presque Isle County after a driver lost control on a snowy patch of road. Despite the vehicle's cab being ripped from the frame and the driver becoming briefly trapped, he was able to walk away from the crash without injury.
In the northeastern Lower Peninsula, CO Sidney LaLonde conducted snowmobile patrols and welfare checks following a massive 40-inch snowfall. During her patrol, she assisted an 87-year-old woman struggling to shovel a path alone. CO LaLonde coordinated with a local citizen, who used a tractor snowblower to clear the woman's driveway and ensure her safety.
District 4 counties of service: Benzie, Grand Traverse, Lake, Leelanau, Manistee, Mason, Mecosta, Newaygo, Oceana, Wexford.
In Lake County, CO Angela Greenway contacted a vehicle pulling a boat trailer, carrying half of another vehicle, after it turned onto the Pere Marquette Rail Trail. The stop revealed that neither occupant had a valid driver’s license. CO Greenway called for assistance and a Lake County deputy arrived on scene. The investigation led to the discovery of methamphetamine and the partial vehicle had been reported as stolen from Grand Rapids. Both subjects were arrested on multiple charges, including parole violations.
COs Ryan Jager and Kyle Publiski spoke with two groups of high school students at the Summit Tech Center, providing a firsthand look into the career and daily responsibilities of a Michigan conservation officer.
In Newaygo County, CO Tim Barboza responded to a personal injury ORV accident after a victim regained consciousness and called dispatch, though he was unsure of his exact location. CO Barboza located the trail, traveled half a mile on foot while calling for the victim, and eventually discovered him with head injuries and a broken collarbone. CO Barboza provided initial care before the victim was transported to a Grand Rapids hospital by EMS.
District 5 counties of service: Alcona, Arenac, Clare, Crawford, Gladwin, Iosco, Kalkaska, Missaukee, Ogemaw, Osceola, Oscoda, Roscommon.
In Gladwin County, CO Josh Russell conducted a traffic stop on an ORV traveling 53 mph in the center of the road and crossing lanes on a curve. After detecting alcohol and observing an open container, CO Russell administered standardized field sobriety tests (SFSTs) and a preliminary breath test (PBT), which showed a .12 BAC. The operator was arrested for operating while intoxicated (OWI) and transported to jail, where an Intoxilyzer test confirmed a .137 BAC.
COs Brad Belville, Tyler Sabuda, and Kyle Bader attended a career night at Whittemore Prescott High School, engaging with over 100 students and potential recruits to discuss the responsibilities of a Michigan conservation officer.
CO Casey Pullum stopped an ORV operator who was driving at night without a taillight. During the traffic stop, he observed that the operator was in possession of alcohol, including containers in his hoodie pocket and Jell‑O shots in an open container on the machine. The operator admitted to drinking, failed standardized field sobriety tests (SFSTs), and registered a .09 BAC. It was also determined that his driver’s license was revoked and he had two prior OWI convictions. The subject was lodged at the Oscoda County Jail.
COs James Garrett, Matthew Zultak, and Sgt. Brian Olsen assisted local law enforcement during an ice storm by removing trees from roadways and conducting welfare checks on residents in Roscommon County.
District 6 counties of service: Bay, Gratiot, Huron, Isabella, Midland, Montcalm, Saginaw, Sanilac, Tuscola.
No Report
District 7 counties of service: Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Cass, Kalamazoo, Kent, Muskegon, Ottawa, St Joseph, Van Buren.
While patrolling closed Type 1 streams in Van Buren County, CO Tyler Cole observed an angler actively fishing within the closed stream. Upon contact, it was also found that the angler was fishing with illegal gear. The angler stated that he had just read on Google that this portion of the stream was open for fishing. CO Cole gave the angler ample time to locate the incorrect information that was claimed to have been found on Google. After being unable to locate this information, citations were issued for the violations.
District 8 counties of service: Branch, Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, Hillsdale, Ingham, Ionia, Jackson, Shiawassee.
CO Jeremy Woods was checking Pine Lake for marine activity when he observed a truck he recognized from previous encounters with its driver. As CO Woods pulled into the boat launch, the truck immediately left the area. CO Woods initiated a traffic stop for failure to display a Recreation Passport. Upon contacting the driver, CO Woods smelled marijuana, observed marijuana in the vehicle, and recognized the occupants as known marijuana users, having cited the driver the previous month for consuming marijuana at the same boat launch. The driver initially claimed there was no marijuana in the vehicle but then provided a container of marijuana to CO Woods. CO Woods requested a second unit and ordered all three occupants-each under 21 years old—to exit the vehicle. A search of the vehicle revealed additional marijuana and an almost empty bottle of whiskey. Citations were issued.
District 9 counties of service: Genesee, Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, St. Clair.
CO Justin Muehlhauser checked a private parcel along the Flint River known for trespass issues during the walleye closure and encountered an angler on the property. The angler claimed he had permission from the landowner but provided an incorrect name. When asked what bait he was using, the angler stated it had become snagged in a tree, then changed his story and said it had fallen into the water. Suspecting something was wrong, CO Muehlhauser continued questioning. The angler eventually admitted he was using a walleye jig, which is prohibited on the Flint River during the closure, and stated he had a walleye in his backpack. CO Muehlhauser documented the fish and gear in the angler’s possession. The fish was released, and the angler was cited for taking walleye during the closed season and warned for violating Flint River gear restrictions during the spawning run.
CO Zach Adams responded to a complaint of a woman who was rehabilitating two raccoon kits without a permit. The CO called the suspect to discuss the topic, where she eventually admitted to possessing the raccoons for six days in addition to denying any help from local, licensed rehabilitators. When the CO arrived at the subject’s house, she brought out the two raccoon kits and provided them to the CO so he could transfer them to a local rehabber. The subject was issued a misdemeanor citation for rehabilitating wildlife without a permit. The CO met a local rehabber approximately 30 minutes later and transferred the raccoon kits to the rehabber.
CO Joseph Deppen was checking anglers at a local boat ramp, when he noticed two men backing in a personal watercraft (PWC) into the water. CO Deppen noticed the operator on the PWC was not wearing a life jacket when it was placed it the water, but at the time the operator was tying it up to the dock. As CO Deppen finished his fishing check, he heard the PWC fire up and take off on full plane out of the marina clearly violating the slow no wake laws. CO Deppen watched the operator drive up and down the lake extremely close to shore for about 15 minutes. The operator entered the marina at full speed until he noticed the patrol truck. As the operator was pulling into the dock, CO Deppen noticed the operator was only wearing a sweatshirt and shaking very badly because of the cold March air. The operator was issued a citation for failure to wear a PFD while operating a PWC and was given a verbal warning on slow no wake violations and registration.
District 10 counties of service: Lenawee, Monroe, Washtenaw, Wayne.
CO Andrew Werth was completing paperwork at Labo Park when a dirtbike traveling southeast on South Huron River Drive passed his location. The operator looked directly at CO Werth and accelerated at a high rate of speed. CO Werth activated his emergency lights and siren and attempted to catch up to the ORV. When he closed the distance and attempted a stop, the operator fled by leaving the roadway and riding down the railroad tracks. During the investigation, COs Nicholas Ingersoll and Brandon Vacek assisted in locating the area where the suspect was hiding. A South Rockwood Police officer positively identified the operator, his dirtbike, and his residence. The COs responded to the residence, where the operator returned approximately one hour later. He admitted he fled because he was on probation for a prior OWI arrest. The operator was taken into custody without incident and led the COs to the location where he had hidden his dirtbike, which was later impounded. Charges for fleeing and eluding, driving while license suspended, and operating an ORV on a public highway are being sought through the Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office.
CO Andrew Werth conducted a fisheries patrol at Brownstown Creek. CO Werth contacted two anglers who were having quite a bit of luck. The two anglers said they could not remember how many perch they had together but one of the anglers said that he had 30 perch in his bucket. The CO dumped out the one angler’s bucket and there was in fact 30 perch in his and in his partner’s bucket there were nine perch. The CO explained that party fishing is not allowed and that the one angler who has 30 perch in his bucket is over his yellow perch limit. The CO seized five of the angler’s perch and issued him a citation for his infraction.
COs Joel Hill and Andrew Werth were on patrol at Huroc Park. While checking a group of anglers, the COs observed a fish cage nearby. Upon asking what was in the fish cage, a largemouth bass was observed in the possession of the anglers. One individual in the group admitted to keeping the bass. The angler advised that he was not aware that the possession season for largemouth bass was closed. The individual was issued a citation for possessing the largemouth bass during the closed season.
CO Brandon Vacek was patrolling Crystal Waters SGA in Monroe County when he observed heavy smoke coming from inside the state game area. The CO was soon met by two individuals running back toward a vehicle in the parking lot. The individuals admitted to target shooting and firing an incendiary round into the brush igniting the fire. One of the individuals had already reported the fire to the local dispatch. While the local fire department arrived quickly to extinguish the sprawling brush fire, the CO advised the individuals that the area was closed to target shooting. The individuals were then issued citations for target shooting at other than a commercially manufactured target and violating the no target shooting land use order in place at the state game area.
BELLE ISLE
CO Griffin Korican was working a Belle Isle shift when he was dispatched to an active assault occurring on the McArthur Bridge. Upon arriving, COs Griffin Korican and Mike Drexler were directed by a bystander that the two individuals had gotten into a car and were driving onto the island. The COs stopped the vehicle, and a male immediately exited the passenger side of the vehicle. The male was irate and told the COs to “shoot him”. CO Korican was able to calm the male down and the man informed CO Korican that he had gone through a recent breakup leading him to desire to jump off the bridge. After further investigation it was found the “assault” in question was the female driver tackling the male suspect to prevent him from jumping. The male suspect agreed to voluntarily go the hospital where CO Korican petitioned him to receive psychiatric care.
CO Joseph Deppen was working on Belle Isle when he conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle traveling 58 mph in a 25-mph zone. The driver handed an identification over that did not look like it belonged to her. When questioned about it, the driver said, “That’s my friend’s ID.” The driver did not have a driver's license on her and gave a well-rehearsed name and date of birth. CO Deppen utilized LEIN and gave the information to dispatch and they were able to find out the driver’s real name and date of birth. The driver had felony warrants and misdemeanor warrants out of neighboring jurisdictions. The driver was placed under arrest for driving while license suspended, giving misleading or false information regarding one’s identity, and her outstanding warrants. She was transported to a neighboring county where she was turned over to local officers and transported to jail.
GREAT LAKES ENFORCEMENT UNIT (GLEU)
Cpl. Jon Busken received a complaint about a possible aquatic invasive species being sold with baitfish in northern Michigan. Cpl. Todd Sumbera was nearby and responded to find the complaint to be unfounded.
Cpl. Brett DeLonge assisted Marquette County Sheriff’s Department with an individual threatening law enforcement while having a medical incident. The individual was put into protective custody and transported to Marquette General Hospital for evaluation and treatment.
Cpl. Brett DeLonge and CO John Kamps checked several sport anglers on Munising Bay who were successfully catching coho salmon.
Cpl. Troy Van Gelderen assisted state archaeologist Wayne Lusardi in locating and retrieving a wing from a remote-controlled target drone that was used in the 1950's. The wing was washed up on the beach in Muskegon County.
Cpl. Nick Atkin, with assistance from CO Brandon Vacek and CO David Schaumburger, responded to a complaint of an abandoned gill net in Lake Erie. With very little notice, the officers rearranged their patrol plans, had a boat ready, contacted the complainant multiple times to get better information and location, and were ready to go when GLEU personnel got to Detroit. The gill net was quickly located, and the officer’s hand-pulled the net, removing the marine hazard from an area heavily used by navigating vessels and anglers. No identification was found on the net, but it is suspected that it was a Canadian commercial net that was carried across the border by ice.
COs Alex French, Justin Vinson, Sgt. Calvin Smith and Cpl. Cole VanOosten assisted the Luce County Sheriff’s Department in locating a stranded snowmobiler during the recent blizzard. Cpl. VanOosten and CO Justin Vinson patrolled from their residences on snowmobile, as the conditions made travel impossible by traditional motor vehicle. A total trip of approximately 90 miles was conducted on snowmobile to locate and extract the individual.
Cpl. Pat Hartsig received a complaint of a fisherman in Lake Erie finding a partial gill net in Michigan waters. The angler retrieved the small length of net and called RAP. Upon investigation of the net, it appeared to be an older Canadian gill net that most likely got damaged in the lake ice and broke free and drifted into Michigan waters.
Cpl. Pat Hartsig attended the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission Law Enforcement Committee meeting in Ypsilanti for two days. Topics included information sharing with peers from around the Great Lakes region, AIS, commercial fishing, and training on commercial fisherman/wholesale fish dealer audits.
