2/16/2025-3/1/2025

DISTRICT 1

Conservation Officers (COs) Zach Painter and Ethen Mapes were on patrol near White Pine when they were dispatched to a structure fire in town with possible occupants inside. Half of the house was engulfed in flames and smoke. The house appeared to be empty, and a bystander advised that there were two missing snowmobiles from the yard. COs Painter and Mapes assisted the fire crew and were able to confirm that the occupants were on a snowmobile ride.

COs Zach Painter, Brian Lasanen, Byron Parks, and Pete Shambaugh conducted a snowmobile patrol in Houghton and Keweenaw Counties in conjunction with the Copper Dog 150 sled dog race. The COs assisted with high visibility patrols along the race route to educate snowmobilers of the multi-use traffic. 

CO Jenni Lehto was requested to guest speak at Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ Pediatric Education Hour, a virtual program held monthly, offering continuing education opportunities for EMS and health care providers. The program wanted to highlight winter traumas during the month of February and asked CO Lehto to share safety tips regarding cold weather emergencies and ice safety.

COs Alex VanWagner, Zach Painter, Steve Sajtar, and Sergeant (Sgt.) Brian Bacon conducted a group patrol in Iron and Gogebic Counties focused on snowmobile enforcement. Hundreds of sleds were on the trails and many contacts were made. 13 citations were issued for violations related to careless operation and registration/trail permit violations. Many other verbal warnings were given for similar violations.

While on snowmobile patrol in Iron County, CO Alex VanWagner observed a snowmobile run a stop sign at a high rate of speed. The operator was contacted regarding the violation and was found to have a revoked driver’s license. The sled did not have a trail sticker and the registration was expired. The driver admitted to going through the stop sign at 45 miles per hour (mph). All the violations were addressed, and enforcement action was taken.

CO Steve Sajtar responded to assist a school resource officer (SRO) with a suicidal juvenile in northern Menominee County. While at school, the juvenile made explicit statements to his parents explaining how he planned to commit suicide. When the SRO attempted to contact the juvenile, the juvenile fled the school on foot and hid behind a snowbank. Eventually, the juvenile ran back into the high school and caused a disturbance. The juvenile was located and taken into protective custody and transported to a nearby hospital for a mental health evaluation.

In Menominee County, CO Steve Sajtar observed an individual ice fishing on Lake Michigan shortly after dark. CO Sajtar contacted the individual fishing in their shanty and asked how the fishing had been. After talking to the individual for a few minutes, CO Sajtar asked to see his fishing license. The individual replied, “I must’ve forgotten it in my truck.”  CO Sajtar ran a license check and learned the individual had not purchased a fishing license in two years. Additionally, dispatch advised the individual had been convicted in a nearby county in 2018 for fishing without a license. A citation was issued for fishing without a valid license.

CO Jared Ferguson was heading south on US-41 when he observed a truck swerving in its lane. CO Ferguson stopped the vehicle for suspicion of operating while intoxicated. The driver was found to be operating on a suspended license with no insurance and improper registration. CO Ferguson was contacted by a local Sheriff’s deputy who informed him he just wrote him two hours earlier for similar offenses. CO Ferguson continued his investigation and found the individual went home and switched plates from his previous arrest to a different vehicle and attempted a different route back into town. A report is being submitted to the prosecutor’s office for charges.

CO Jeremy Sergey attended a 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. 

COs Jeremy Sergey, John Kamps, Jackson Kelly, Steve Sajtar, Sgt. Mark Leadman and Lieutenant (Lt.) Ryan Aho attended the funeral of retired CO Robert Ball. The COs posted as honor guards during the funeral as well as being pallbearers for the service and burial.

COs Jeremy Sergey and Anna Viau instructed self-confidence at the annual winter “Becoming an Outdoors Woman” (BOW) course held at Bay Cliff in Big Bay, Michigan. BOW teaches outdoor skills to women of all skill levels over the course of a weekend.

DISTRICT 2

CO Steve Butzin was conducting an evening patrol of Little Bay de Noc when he observed a vehicle stationary on the ice for some time. After watching it, CO Butzin noticed the operator had turned the hazard lights on for the vehicle. CO Butzin walked to the vehicle and discovered that it had fallen through the ice. There were no injuries, and the vehicle was able to be recovered by a local towing service.

CO Michael Evink assisted the Michigan State Police (MSP) during the closing of State Highway M-28 between Seney and Shingleton. Road conditions were poor, and visibility was worse. CO Evink escorted numerous vehicles through the “Seney Stretch” and assisted the MSP until all vehicles were cleared from the roadway.

CO Mike Evink assisted the MSP with a larceny investigation that involved an individual who was cutting trees on private property in the right-of-way. CO Evink located the suspect and assisted the MSP with the follow-up investigation. The MSP is submitting a report to the Schoolcraft County prosecutor.

CO Cole VanOosten was on snowmobile patrol when he stopped at a stop sign where numerous serious accidents have happened over the years. While stopped, CO VanOosten observed a snowmobiler drive through the adjacent stop sign at a high rate of speed, skid sideways in front of him, and exit the trail on the opposite side. A traffic stop was conducted. The driver was shaken up and stated he didn’t expect to see someone at the other stop sign. CO VanOosten sternly reminded the individual that all stop signs are there for a reason and should be taken seriously. The man was issued a citation for careless operation of a snowmobile.

DISTRICT 3

Sgt. Bill Webster and CO Chad Baldwin conducted a snowmobile patrol in the Jordan River Valley. The COs ensured operators were complying with all snowmobile regulations and checked multiple areas that are known to be popular spots for snowmobiles to ride off trail. Many snowmobilers were contacted, and several warnings were issued for improper display of registrations and one ticket for a trail permit violation. Overall, operators were enjoying great trail conditions and abundance of snow.

CO Nathan Beelman assisted with scene security at a domestic violence call. The Charlevoix County Sheriff’s Department eventually arrested the male for domestic violence.

CO Jack Gorno assisted the MSP on a complaint of a juvenile that had not returned home from school. CO Gorno and the trooper were able to gather information from the reporting party. The juvenile was located and returned without incident. CO Gorno and the trooper spoke to the juvenile and parents about tips for improved communication.

While on patrol in Otsego County, CO Tom Oberg was advised by central dispatch that there was a car driving down the snowmobile trail near CO Oberg’s location. CO Oberg arrived on scene and noticed a small passenger car which now appeared stuck on the snowmobile trail. CO Oberg questioned the driver on how she ended up on the snowmobile trail. She stated she lived across the road and her little dog took off, so she got in her car and somehow managed to turn onto the snowmobile trail, unaware it was a snowmobile trail. CO Oberg verified her information through central dispatch. The female driver came back with an expired driver’s license and had two misdemeanor warrants for her arrest. CO Oberg placed the female into custody on the warrants. An Otsego County Sheriff’s deputy arrived on scene and transported her to the Otsego County Jail.

CO Dan Liestenfeltz was patrolling Montmorency County when he observed a vehicle drive up behind him as he was traveling down the roadway. The vehicle had active red and white emergency lights on the roof and active blue emergency lights in the grill. A loud audible siren was also activated. As the vehicle passed CO Liestenfeltz, he was able to observe the words “Search and Rescue” in large red and black letters on the side. CO Liestenfeltz watched the vehicle travel down the center of the roadway, causing multiple cars to pull over to the shoulder. The vehicle then went through a four- way stop intersection without stopping. CO Liestenfeltz clarified with Montmorency County Dispatch that there were no active fire or emergency medical services (EMS) calls in the county which there was not. CO Liestenfeltz eventually caught up to the vehicle as it was pulling into the parking lot of a closed business in a heavily wooded area. CO Liestenfeltz contacted the driver who immediately stated they were “going to a call.”  CO Liestenfeltz stated there was “no call” and the subject said a private individual called them about a vehicle that was stuck in the ditch a couple of miles up the road. When CO Liestenfeltz asked why the subject pulled into the parking lot in the middle of nowhere instead of continuing to “the call” the subject stated “the call” was called off and he was no longer needed. CO Liestenfeltz was able to determine that the subject was not affiliated with any law enforcement, fire or EMS entity in the State of Michigan. Due to the totality and uniqueness of the circumstances, CO Liestenfeltz documented the incident and submitted charges with the Montmorency County Prosecutor’s Office. Two felony charges were submitted for false representation of a firefighter/EMS personnel and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Two misdemeanor charges were also submitted for displaying/utilizing fire department decals and unauthorized use of emergency lights.

CO Dan Liestenfeltz was patrolling Trail 449 in Montmorency County when he observed a snowmobile disregard a stop sign at a high rate of speed. CO Liestenfeltz initiated a stop on the snowmobile and after speaking with the subject, was able to determine that they had a revoked driver’s license. CO Liestenfeltz issued the subject a ticket for careless operation of a snowmobile and operating a motor vehicle on a revoked driver’s license.

CO Alex Bourgeois was checking ice anglers coming off Fletchers Pond when he observed a group of anglers out in the middle of the lake doing donuts on off-road vehicles (ORVs) with no helmets. CO Jon Sheppard arrived soon after. The COs rode out to the anglers and addressed the violation. While checking the group, the COs observed the anglers buying their fishing licenses on their phones while in the middle of the check, lying about their ages, as well as other violations. CO Bourgeois issued multiple tickets to the group for various ORV and fishing violations.

CO Alex Bourgeois responded to a complaint of a woman feeding deer in the City of Alpena. COs Bourgeois and Jon Sheppard have responded to this exact complaint and suspect four previous times. Issuing in total three prior tickets for feeding deer. CO Bourgeois arrived at the home and the subject was feeding deer once again. The feed site was large and included items such as grains and hay. CO Bourgeois contacted the homeowner and issued a fourth ticket for the feeding violation.

CO Jon Sheppard conducted a snowmobile patrol in Alpena County. While patrolling Trail 4, CO Sheppard contacted multiple snowmobilers. One snowmobiler was stopped for expired registration. After talking with the operator, CO Sheppard noticed an ORV license on the windshield. CO Sheppard advised the operator that he needed to have a snowmobile trail permit not an ORV license. CO Sheppard issued a ticket for no snowmobile trail permit and a verbal warning for an expired snowmobile registration.

CO Jon Sheppard assisted with a three-vehicle head-on crash near the Alpena airport. CO Sheppard arrived second on scene and assisted in checking on injuries and traffic control. The crash was handled by the MSP. One driver was transported to the hospital for a head injury.

CO Jon Sheppard was dispatched to a motor vehicle crash south of Alpena. There were no other available units, and CO Sheppard was nearby. One of the drivers was suspected to be intoxicated by witnesses at the scene. Once EMS arrived and took over treating the injured, CO Sheppard evaluated the driver for signs of intoxication and subsequently arrested for operating under the influence of alcohol. The driver was nearly twice the legal limit of .08 and was lodged in the Alpena County Jail.

Sgt. Paul Fox and CO Alex Bourgeois attended a “Herd and Hunter” meeting in Alpena County. The meeting was put on by DNR Wildlife Division staff, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, United States Department of Agriculture, and Michigan State University Extension. The meeting gave farmers and hunters an update on Bovine Tuberculosis and herd management in northeast Michigan. Sgt. Fox and CO Bourgeois answered several questions during the event.

DISTRICT 4

CO Logan Turner was working nighttime anglers in Grand Traverse County. CO Turner approached a group of anglers as they were reeling up their poles. One individual stated he didn’t have his fishing license on him but pretty sure he bought one two years ago. A sales history check was done, and the individual has never purchased a fishing license. The individual was cited for fishing without a license in possession.

CO Cameron Wright responded to a single-vehicle accident with injuries just north of Fremont in Newaygo County. CO Wright arrived and found that the driver was okay, but his wife was hurt and pinned in the passenger seat unable to get out. The tree that the car had collided with was pressing against the passenger door and hanging over the vehicle. The tree was too large to cut down to get the patient out of the passenger door. CO Wright assisted EMS and firefighters with cutting out the center console of the car and then extricating the patient. She was transported to the hospital by EMS for her injuries.

CO Cameron Wright was returning home from training when a call came out from Newaygo County Central Dispatch requesting a well-being check on a subject at a motel just south of White Cloud. CO Wright drove past the motel and glanced to the parking lot where he observed a subject standing outside covered in blood. CO Wright turned around and responded to the call with a Newaygo County deputy and White Cloud Police Department sergeant. The officers contacted the subject who was instantly combative and swung at the deputy but missed. The subject was refusing to listen to commands and went back into the motel room where a six-year-old girl was sitting on the bed, bleeding from her face. The subject was arrested after a struggle and getting tased. The six-year-old girl had a laceration to her face from a pair of scissors and the subject had a self-inflicted stab wound to his chest. The six-year-old girl and the subject were transported to the hospital for their injuries. Charges will be sought by the Newaygo County Sheriff’s Office.

COs Angela Greenway and Tim Barboza attended a career fair at Ferris State University where they spoke with over 75 individuals about becoming a conservation officer, along with the duties, demands, and responsibilities of the job.

DISTRICT 5

COs Jacob Hamilton and Sgt. Brian Olsen located a man sleeping in his car alongside a road in Kalkaska County during freezing temperatures. The two COs made contact and learned the man had nowhere to stay during the cold. The two COs helped and provided contact information to local shelters in the area.

CO Matthew Zultak located a side-by-side that had gotten stuck in the ice at the lagoon on Higgins Lake in Roscommon County. The operators were struggling to break out and their winch cable was about 10 feet too short. CO Zultak provided a tow strap to the operator to place around a tree and hook to his winch. The operator was grateful for the assistance and was able to recover his machine from the ice.

While on patrol in Oscoda County, CO Tyler Sabuda observed a snowmobile coming up to an intersection, with a stop sign, at a high rate of speed. The operator attempted to slow down but was unable to come to a stop until they were on the other side of the intersection. The operator was cited for careless operation.

COs Craig Neal and Joshua Jobin were at the Arenac County Sheriff's Department dropping off paperwork when a deputy mentioned investigating a recent snowmobile hit-and-run at a local residence and observed a deer hanging in a garage with no visible kill tag. The COs then proceeded to the residence where the possible untagged deer was located and contacted the homeowner who claimed he shot the deer in December during the late antlerless season but didn’t purchase a tag. A citation was issued for possessing a deer without a valid deer tag attached.

CO Josh Russell was patrolling Gladwin County when he noticed a side-by-side vehicle operating in the middle of the roadway. As the ORV approached and passed him, he saw a child sitting on the front seat passenger’s lap without a seatbelt. CO Russell contacted the individuals and explained the various safety violations he had observed. He issued a citation for the safety violation.

DISTRICT 6

CO Mike Eovaldi arrived at a suspect’s residence to interview him about several deer taken illegally. While knocking on the door, CO Eovaldi noticed an approximately 25-inch muskellunge on the porch. The state minimum for muskellunge is 42 inches. CO Eovaldi seized the musky and is seeking charges for the deer violations as well as the short musky.

CO Mike Eovaldi responded to a Report All Poaching (RAP) complaint of a trespasser caught on a cellular trail camera. CO Eovaldi arrived on scene and located the trespasser along with several other coyote hunters. The hunters had been trespassing on county owned property as well as a private landowner’s property for several hours. A report has been submitted to the Sanilac County Prosecutor’s Office for recreational trespassing charges.

COs Marissa Sturtevant, Dan Robinson, and Michael Lator participated in a mock interview event at Mid-Michigan College with students from local high schools. The COs conducted practice job interviews and reviewed resumes to help prepare students for the workforce.

COs Jacob Robinson and Nick McNamee were on patrol in Montcalm County when they received a complaint about subjects rapid firing at the DNR shooting range in the Flat River State Game Area. The COs patrolled to the range and witnessed three subjects rapid firing multiple firearms. Citations were issued.

DISTRICT 7

CO Carter Woodwyk was patrolling Allegan County when he observed a snowmobile operating on the shoulder of the county roadway without registration and with an expired trail sticker. A stop was made, and the CO learned the operator purchased the snowmobile nearly three years ago and had yet to transfer the ownership into their name with the Secretary of State. Enforcement action was taken.

DISTRICT 8

CO Cullen Knoblauch received information from CO James Rowley about a possible illegally taken antlered deer by a subject living in Jackson County during the 2024 Michigan deer season. CO Knoblauch interviewed the female subject who claimed to have killed the 8-point in late October in Jackson County. The investigation revealed this was the female’s first ever deer hunting license purchased in Michigan and that she has never completed hunter’s safety. CO Knoblauch could tell speaking to the female that she was not a hunter, and her face turned white as snow when being questioned about harvesting the deer. The female admitted she didn’t kill the deer and said that her husband asked her to purchase a deer hunting license, which she told CO Knoblauch that she didn’t even know how to do that. She told CO Knoblauch that her husband killed two other antlered deer prior to her purchasing her license. CO Knoblauch interviewed the husband who gave a full confession about killing a 9-point and an 8-point early to mid-October of 2024. He stated he took his third antlered deer which was an 8-point on October 27th. A report will be submitted to the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office for charges.

CO John Byars responded to a person whose medical status went from having a seizure to the reporting party starting cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). CO Byars was the closest unit and arrived shortly after the call came out from Ingham County Central Dispatch. CO Byars was the first officer on scene and began CPR on the person until relieved, shortly after beginning, by medical personnel. The paramedics were able to return a pulse to the patient and was later transported to Sparrow Hospital.

CO Jason McCullough responded to an illegal disposal of solid waste complaint at the request of the local township fire department. The homeowner had tried to pile some brush on top of some cabinets, mattresses, electronics, and other non-burnable items before setting the whole pile ablaze. A concerned neighbor, smelling noxious fumes and believing the house was on fire, called the fire department. As they were extinguishing the large blaze, the fire department called CO McCullough who responded and explained the burn law to the homeowner. Charges are being sought in the local prosecutor’s office.

DISTRICT 9

CO Bobby Watson closed out an investigation involving four individuals charged with shining and shooting multiple deer with a .22 rimfire rifle from a motor vehicle, outside of the legal season, aided by artificial light, and violating multiple safety zones. Multiple warrants were obtained and executed. Suspect 1 accepted a plea deal of Possess Firearm in Motor Vehicle ($350), Use Artificial Light to Take Game ($350), and Illegal Deer ($4,000). Five charges were dismissed. Suspect 1’s hunting privileges were revoked for the remainder of 2024, 2025, 2026, and 2027. Suspect 2 plead guilty and was sentenced on January 22nd. Suspect 2 plead guilty to Possess Firearm in Motor Vehicle ($350) and Use Artificial Light to Take Game ($350). Six charges were dismissed and no revocation/reimbursement. Suspect 3 plead guilty and was sentenced on January 22nd. Suspect 3 plead guilty to Possess Firearm in Motor Vehicle ($350) and Use Artificial Light to Take Game ($350). Six charges were dismissed and no revocation/reimbursement. Suspect 4 plead guilty and was sentenced on January 22nd. Suspect 4 plead guilty to Possess Firearm in Motor Vehicle ($350), Use Artificial Light to Take Game/Weapon in Possession ($350), and Take Deer-Illegal Method ($1,000 in fines, $1,000 in reimbursement, and revoked for remainder of 2025, 2026, 2027, and 2028. Five charges were dismissed.

BELLE ISLE

Sgts. Pete Purdy and Danielle Zubek were conducting a traffic detail on Belle Isle to address speeders on the McArthur Bridge. A vehicle was stopped for traveling 45 mph in a 25-mph zone. The driver advised immediately that she didn’t have insurance on the vehicle and produced an insurance quote from October 2024. There was also a young child in a car seat in the back seat. A Law Enforcement Information Network check revealed that the driver had two warrants for her arrest. One for aggravated assault and another for an unpaid traffic ticket. Both warrant holding agencies advised that they were unable to pick up on the warrants. The driver was issued a citation for speeding and no proof of insurance. She was advised and released on the outstanding warrants.

GREAT LAKES ENFORCEMENT UNIT (GLEU)

Corporal (Cpl.) Brett DeLonge, Cpl. Mike Hammill, and Lt. Kevin Postma participated in a CORA law enforcement patrol on Big Bay de Noc. The officers contacted staff from US Fish and Wildlife Service along with MI Fisheries Division conducting a burbot survey. No burbot were caught and a few whitefish were observed while the survey net was pulled. The officers then contacted multiple sport anglers reporting little success.