In a recent development in Branch County, Michigan, Raymond Root III, a 46-year-old man from Springfield, has entered a no contest plea to charges of operating a vehicle under the influence of marijuana, resulting in serious injury. This incident, stemming from a collision on April 7th on Marshall Street near Taylor in Coldwater, has brought to light the complexities surrounding marijuana use and driving safety.
Root was apprehended on August 31st by Coldwater police following investigations that linked the presence of THC, the psychoactive compound in marijuana, in his bloodstream at the time of the accident. This discovery was made following tests conducted by the Michigan State Police labs.
The case, presided over by Circuit Judge Bill O'Grady in the Branch County Circuit Court, saw Root admitting to his continued use of marijuana, even after the arrest. He disclosed to the court that his last usage was a mere couple of days before the hearing. Root, who had previously been qualified for medical marijuana, expressed his view of not considering legalized marijuana as a drug.
In response, Judge O'Grady commented on Root's continued marijuana use despite the gravity of the situation, pointing out the implications it has on his character. The judge's remarks underscored the legal and ethical considerations surrounding marijuana consumption, especially in relation to operating vehicles.
Prosecutor Zack Stempien, acknowledging Root's plea, agreed to a cap on jail time, proposing a maximum of six months. This agreement will be finalized when Root is sentenced on February 19th. Concurrent charges against Root were also dismissed as part of the plea arrangement.
The consequences Root faces extend beyond incarceration. He is expected to undergo probation, participate in rehabilitative programs, and bear the financial responsibilities associated with the prosecution, including fines, costs, and government reimbursement for emergency responses linked to the accident.
The seriousness of the incident is further highlighted by the injuries sustained by the other party involved in the crash, a 60-year-old woman. She suffered a fractured vertebra, necessitating extensive surgeries. At the scene of the accident, police noted Root's impaired state, though no alcohol was detected. His uncooperative demeanor led to the issuance of a search warrant, which resulted in a blood draw at ProMedica Coldwater Regional Hospital, confirming the presence of THC.
This case brings to the forefront the ongoing discussions about the legal and societal implications of marijuana use, particularly concerning driving and public safety. It serves as a reminder of the responsibilities and consequences associated with marijuana consumption, especially when it intersects with the operation of motor vehicles.
Medically prescribed marijuana use is permitted in 37 states and the District of Columbia, specifically for medical purposes. In addition, 19 states (Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington) have also legalized recreational marijuana.
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Former Michigan House Speaker Rick Johnson, aged 70, has begun serving a 55-month sentence at a federal prison in Minnesota, following his conviction in a bribery scandal that tainted Michigan's marijuana industry. Johnson, once a prominent Republican lawmaker and later a key figure in regulating the state's marijuana sector, was confirmed as an inmate at the FPC Duluth, a minimum-security facility located near Lake Superior, as per the latest inmate database.
Before his fall from grace, Johnson was a powerful figure in Lansing. His journey from a lawmaker to a lobbyist and eventually the chief regulator of Michigan's burgeoning marijuana industry came to an ignominious end after he was found to have received over $110,000 in bribes. His tenure as chairman of the medical marijuana licensing board from May 2017 to April 2019 was marred by these illegal transactions, involving marijuana lobbyists and a businessman. Notably, these bribes included encounters with a sex worker, who referred to him as "Batman."
Johnson's incarceration follows an unsuccessful bid to reduce his prison time and a request to serve part of his sentence under house arrest, citing health concerns from recent heart bypass surgery. He had been granted a postponement to begin his sentence in late October, but U.S. District Judge Jane Beckering refused a further delay. Johnson's attorney, Nicholas Dondzila, had argued for an extension until February 1st, 2023, citing ongoing medical needs and potential treatments that would pose a financial burden on the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
This case marks the most significant public corruption scandal in Michigan's capital in three decades. Johnson was accused of manipulating the state marijuana industry, an action Judge Beckering described as an "unfettered abuse of power." In April, Johnson admitted to accepting bribes to influence his decisions on the licensing board.
Three other individuals, including two lobbyists and a businessman, also pleaded guilty in the bribery scheme but have yet to begin their prison sentences. Lobbyist Brian Pierce is serving a two-year sentence in Pennsylvania, while lobbyist Vince Brown is serving 20 months in a separate federal facility in the same state. Oakland County businessman John Dawood Dalaly is serving a 28-month sentence in West Virginia.
A recent incident at STIIIZY - Ferndale, a cannabis dispensary located at 642 E. Nine Mile Rd in Ferndale, led to an arrest following a burglary attempt. The Ferndale Police Department reported that they were alerted to the situation when the store's alarm was triggered at approximately 4:40 a.m. on December 1st.
Upon arriving at the scene, officers discovered a vehicle that had been backed into the front door of the business. As the police approached, the individuals involved in the incident fled. Despite the initial escape, an arrest was subsequently made in connection with the burglary.
The case has been forwarded to the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office for a review of potential charges. The Ferndale Police Department continues to investigate the incident to uncover further details and ascertain the full scope of the event.
A sophisticated group of six individuals equipped with advanced surveillance tools and burglary equipment attempted an ill-fated robbery at an illegal marijuana farm, resulting in a violent confrontation, according to recent federal court records.
This dramatic incident, unfolding in the heart of America's largest marijuana market, took place on July 16th at a secluded property in Coleman, Michigan, a small city located 19 miles northwest of Midland. The botched robbery attempt left behind a scene reminiscent of a crime thriller: a bullet-riddled barn, an exchange of gunfire, and the perpetrators donned in camouflage, carrying high-tech gear such as two-way radios, handheld surveillance cameras, cell phone jammers, and pry bars.
The individuals charged in this case are Addiel Torres, 49; Yoany Alvarez-Antuna, 40; Yuan Biart-Gonzalez, 39; Andy Gomez-Niebla, 38; Robert Padron Alvarez, 45; and Jorge Garcia-Santiago. Their respective hometowns and Garcia-Santiago's age were not disclosed at the time of reporting.
In the absence of defense lawyers listed in the federal court records, each of these men faces the possibility of up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted on charges of attempted interference with commerce by robbery. They also face additional charges in state court connected to this attempted heist.
Members of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) task force spearheaded the investigation into this case. On the day of the incident, ATF investigators responded to a reported shooting at a rural residence and adjacent pole barn located in the 3000 block of W. Shaffer Road in Coleman. According to ATF Task Force Officer Mitchell Eddy's affidavit, Addiel Torres was shot by the property owner during the attempted robbery and was later found recuperating in a local hospital.
The homeowner, alerted by a security camera, confronted Torres outside. In the ensuing scuffle, where Torres reportedly wielded a firearm and tackled the homeowner, the homeowner inadvertently shot Torres in self-defense.
A subsequent search of the property unveiled an illegal marijuana cultivation operation. Investigators found approximately 40 marijuana plants outside the barn, which bore signs of gunfire. Inside, they discovered an expansive grow operation with 227 marijuana plants, 137 pounds of processed marijuana flower, and 10 pounds of other marijuana plant material. According to the ATF, none of the individuals at the farm possessed valid credentials to cultivate marijuana.
A Michigan State Police K-9 unit later located Alvarez-Antuna and Biart-Gonzalez, clad in camouflage and gloves, half a mile from the farm, alongside a two-way radio. Gomez-Niebla and Padron Alvarez were found three miles west of the farm, following a tip about backpacks discovered less than three miles from where they were apprehended. These backpacks contained an array of burglary tools including pry bars, a ski mask, a cell phone jammer, various hand tools, work gloves, a snake camera, water bottles, and an inhaler, providing further evidence of the premeditated nature of their operation.
In a concerning development in Washington Township, Luis Mendoza, a 29-year-old church youth leader, has been arrested and charged with criminal sexual conduct involving a minor. Mendoza, associated with Stoney Creek Community Church, is accused of giving marijuana to a minor and engaging in grooming behavior prior to the alleged contact.
The Macomb County Sheriff's Office, led by Commander Jason Abro, promptly initiated an investigation following a report from the victim's parents. "The juvenile came forward to her parents and in turn, her parents contacted the Macomb County Sheriff's Office and as we learned of this, we began our investigation immediately that day," Abro stated.
The investigation, spanning several weeks, culminated in Mendoza's arrest on Tuesday night. Abro shed light on the suspected predatory behavior, noting, "It seemed from the information that we obtained that this person began to groom the young victim." The Sheriff's Office is actively seeking information from the public and encourages anyone who may have had inappropriate contact with Mendoza, or knows of similar incidents, to come forward.
Following his arrest, Mendoza was arraigned on Wednesday. He faces charges of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
This case underscores the importance of vigilance in community settings, particularly involving youth. The legal process now in motion aims to address these serious allegations and provide justice for the involved parties.
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