Saturday, July 14, 2012

07142012 - Corrections Officer Rob Dennis - Murdered Wife Jaimie Lynn Wilson Dennis

On July 14, 2012 Jaimie Lynn Wilson Dennis was shot and killed by her husband, Ionia Corrections Officer Rob Dennis. Jaimie was survived by her three children.

















Family: Man shoots, kills wife and self
Bodies were found in driveway

WOOD TV News
July 14, 2012
http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/central_mich/2-found-dead-near-Ionia-home














   

RONALD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - Family and friends told 24 Hour News 8 an Ionia County man shot and killed his wife before killing himself Saturday.

Police confirm the shooter as 44-year-old Robbie Dennis and 42-year-old Jamie Dennis.

Rob Dennis was under an increasing amount of stress, his family and friends told 24 Hour News 8. They said he was working more hours as an Department of Corrections employee in Ionia, and earlier this week Jamie Dennis lost her job.

Jamie's uncle, Rick Harkins, told 24 Hour News 8 his niece worked at a Greenville factory that closed Friday.

Harkins said he didn't know if the couple were arguing over that issue, and he said his family might never know.

"We've got no answers really. It was just the two of them," Harkins said. "We don't have a clue."

Deputies responded at 4:52 p.m. Saturday to the couple's home in the 3100 block of Westbrook Road in Ronald Township, which is northeast of Ionia.

That is where police say Robbie shot Jamie once while she was in her vehicle in the driveway, according to a news release. Police said he then called and told a family member what he had done.

As police were en route Robbie took his own life.

Police said both people each died from a single gunshot wound.

Authorities submitted a search warrant to look for clues inside the couple's home.

A tow truck towed a Jeep from the scene.












UPDATE: Couple Found Dead Near Ionia Home
WILX NEWS
Jul 15, 2012
http://www.wilx.com/news/headlines/2_Found_Dead_Near_Ionia_Home_162507916.html?ref=916

A man and woman found shot to death in a driveway in Ronald Township around 5:00 p.m. Saturday, and that's all the information the Ionia County Sheriff will share for now.

A family member called it a murder-suicide. The uncle of one of the victims said Jamie Dennis was killed by her husband, Rob, who then took his own life in the driveway of their home in the 3100-block of Westbrook Rd.

"I just couldn't believe it," said Rick Harkins, Jamie's uncle. "Just utter chaos. Just couldn't believe this would happen."

Harkins said the family didn't notice anything out of the ordinary about the couple. They were in their forties and together for at least a decade.

"We don't understand what went wrong," Harkins said. "We don't have any idea. We don't know where he went off the deep end or what happened. I mean, they just spent the day together with their 2-year-old grandson and had a good time."

He said they were your average happy couple, but Jamie just lost her job, and it's possible that's the cause of this tragedy.

"I don't know if they were arguing about that or if they had a dispute about that," Harkins said. "She was a tech and she made pretty good money, but the factory closed. So I don't know if it was a thing on money, I have no idea."

Whatever the reason may be, the family is shocked. Harkins described Rob as a quiet, unassuming guy, who would never hurt anyone. He worked as a prison guard in Ionia. While Harkins believes he had a license to carry a weapon, they never thought this would happen.

"We've got no answers really," Harkins said. "No answers for nothing. It was just the two of them, they were out here alone, and we just don't know what happened."

The Ionia County Sheriff's Office is continuing to investigate the incident.
















UPDATE: Police say shooting in Ronald Township was murder/suicide
Sentinel-Standard
Jul. 16, 2012
http://www.sentinel-standard.com/article/20120716/NEWS/307169990


Authorities have identified the two people found dead late Saturday afternoon at a home in the 3100 block of Westbrook Road in Ronald Township as Robbie Dennis, 44, and his wife Jamie Dennis, 42, in an apparent case of murder/suicide.


A press release from the Ionia County Sheriff's Office said evidence indicates Robbie Dennis shot Jamie Dennis once while she was in her vehicle. He then called a family member and told them what he had done. As police responded to the crime scene, Robbie Dennis took his own life, the release said.

Both Jamie Dennis and Robbie Dennis died from a single gunshot wound.

Sheriff's deputies responded to reports of gunshots at the home about 4:50 p.m. Saturday, and found a man and a woman dead in the driveway, said Sgt. William Hoskins of the ICSO.

Undersheriff Dale Miller said investigators are still interviewing family and friends of the couple to determine a motive for the shooting.

Robbie Dennis was a Michigan Department of Corrections employee.

Autopsies were conducted Monday morning, Miller said. Detectives from the Ionia County Sheriff’s Office continue to gather information and are awaiting lab and other reports.













Two dead at Ionia County home
WZZM TV News
Jul 16, 2012
http://www.wzzm13.com/news/article/218348/2/Two-dead-at-Ionia-County-home



UPDATE (WZZM) - Monday - Ionia County investigators say that the man who shot his wife and then later, himself, called a family member to tell them what he had done.

Deputies say that Robbie Dennis,44, killed Jamie Dennis, 42, in her car in the driveway of their home. He then called a family member to tell them what he had done. Before police arrive, Robbie had killed himself.






RONALD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WZZM)-- Deputies are investigating a double homicide in Ionia County.

Just before 5 p.m. Saturday, investigators were called to a home in the 3100 block of Westbrook Road in Ronald Township for a report of gunshots fired. When deputies arrived, they found two bodies in the driveway.

Neighbors identified the couple as Rob and Jamie Dennis. They say the shooting ended in a murder-suicide, but police are still not releasing details of what happened.

Neighbors Allison and Daniel Tunstra were shocked when first responders told them to take their children in the house.

"He gave us a heads up to give all the kids that were over in the house and locked the doors because they weren't sure what was going on," says Allison Tunstra.

She says it's not the first time they've heard noises -- including gunshots -- coming from the Dennis' home.

Allen and Letty Berry say their daughter Amber is taking the news hard. She's friends with the Dennis' son.

"Amber was just devastated because she's like, how could they do that?" asks Letty Berry. "What would make you think you could kill somebody and then yourself?"

Berry says the couple was having marital problems, but she never thought it was this bad.

They were very nice people, had bonfires together, community things, and never saw this coming," says Berry.

Rob Dennis worked as a corrections officer in Ionia County.













Ionia County couple killed in murder-suicide identified by police
The Grand Rapids Press
July 16, 2012
http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2012/07/ionia_county_couple_killed_in.html

IONIA COUNTY, MI – Sheriff’s deputies identified the couple killed Saturday in a murder-suicide as Jamie L. Dennis, 42, and Robbie Dennis, 44.

Investigation showed that Robbie Dennis shot his wife while she was in her vehicle in the driveway, then shot himself after calling a family member to say what he had done.

The shooting occurred outside the couple’s home at 3115 Westbrook Road in Ronald Township, in northeast Ionia County. Police were dispatched to the scene at 4:52 p.m. Saturday.

Police said that both died of single gunshot wounds.

Police continue to investigate.

Robbie Dennis worked for the state Department of Corrections, sheriff’s deputies said.

The couple are not related to Sheriff Dwain Dennis.














Investigators Believe Ionia County Couple Died In Murder-Suicide
106FM Radio
July 16, 2012
http://q106fm.com/news/articles/2012/jul/16/investigators-believe-ionia-county-couple-died-in-murder-suicide/


RONALD TWP, Mich (WLMI) An investigation is underway after the bodies of a man and woman were found in Ionia County. Sheriff’s deputies were called to a home in Ronald Township around 5PM Saturday after shots were fired. When they arrived, they found the bodies of Rob and Jamie Dennis lying in the driveway. Officials believe Rob Dennis shot his wife and then turned the gun on himself. Family members say she lost her job Friday at a Greenville factory—he’d been working extra hours as a prison guard in Ionia and had been under increasing stress.













Obituary: Jaimie Lynn (Wilson) Dennis, 42, of Ionia
Jaimie Lynn (Wilson) Dennis, 42, of Ionia passed away unexpectedly July 14, 2012. She was born May 29, 1970 in Lansing, the daughter of Roger and Michelle (Harkins) Wilson.

Jul. 17, 2012 5:16 pm
Sentinel-Standard
http://www.sentinel-standard.com/article/20120717/NEWS/307179981

Jaimie Lynn (Wilson) Dennis, 42, of Ionia passed away unexpectedly July 14, 2012. She was born May 29, 1970 in Lansing, the daughter of Roger and Michelle (Harkins) Wilson.Jaimie is survived by her children, Brooke Satterlee of Ionia, Dustin Satterlee of Ionia and Jacob Macleod of Ionia; step children, Joshua Dennis of Charlotte and Katelynn Dennis of Lyons; grandson, Blaine Michael of Ionia; father, Roger (Brenda) Wilson of Ionia; mother, Michelle Harkins of Ionia; brother, Michael Lee Wilson of Ionia; sister, Alicia Wilson of Lowell; grandmother, Phyllis Harkins of Diamondale; step brother Brandon (Cathy) Black of Plymouth; step sister Jennifer Black of Royal Oak; and special aunts, Deb Wilson and Cara Howe of Grand Rapids and many aunts, uncles, cousins and nieces; and special Aunts Deb Wilson of Grand Rapids and Cara Howe of Grand Rapids.

She was preceded in death by her grandfather, R.J. Harkins and grandparents, Dorothy and Charles Wilson.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, July 19 at Shiloh Community Church with Pastor Kenneth Harger officiating. Anyone wishing may make memorial contributions in Jamie’s name to her family.

Online condolences may be made at www.lakefuneralhomes.com














Officials Investigate Murder-Suicide in Ionia County
WLNS TV NEWS
Jul 23, 2012
http://www.wlns.com/story/19029423/2-people-found-dead-in-ionia-co















LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) – Deputies in Ionia County confirmed on Monday that the man and woman found shot to death in a driveway on Saturday is a case of murder-suicide.


The incident happened in the 3100 block of Westbrook Road in Ronald Township.

According to officials, the man and woman were married. They say the man shot his wife in the chest and then called his stepdaughter to tell her what he did. He apparently shot himself in the head shortly afterward.

The victims have been identified as 42-year-old Jamie Dennis and 44-year-old Robbie Dennis. Officials say they were married and that Robbie was a prison guard for the Michigan Department of Corrections.

Authorities say the couple had no known history of domestic abuse.


Wednesday, July 11, 2012

07112012 - Deputy Thomas Romano Sauve Jr. - Sentenced - Macomb SD

Also See:



Deputy Thomas Romano Sauve Jr. charged with home invasion, stalking, unauthorized use of law enforcement computers, and domestic violence [March 03, 2011]



 


 

Deputy sentenced for stalking
By Frank DeFrank
Macomb Daily
Posted: Thursday, 07/12/12 12:01 am
Updated: Thursday, 07/12/12 09:13 am
http://www.macombdaily.com/article/20120712/NEWS02/120719946/deputy-sentenced-for-stalking

A suspended Macomb County deputy sheriff was placed on two years’ probation Wednesday following his conviction for stalking and domestic violence, according to court records.


Thomas Sauve, 35, also was ordered to have no contact with the victim, a woman with whom the married deputy admitted he’d had an affair. Sauve still must deal with allegations he improperly used the Law Enforcement Information Network system as well as face internal discipline from the county sheriff.

Sauve was sentenced Wednesday by Macomb Circuit Judge Matthew Switalski, who presided over the deputy’s trial. Sauve initially faced a felony home invasion charge, which could have sent him to prison for up to five years. He was accused of climbing to the woman’s second-floor apartment and entering without permission while she was there with a male friend. But he was acquitted of that charge and convicted of the lesser misdemeanor offenses last May.

The deputy’s future employment with the Macomb County Sheriff Department is still to be determined. Sauve was suspended pending the resolution of the criminal charges. Now, he’ll face discipline procedures as outlined by the deputies’ collective bargaining agreement.

RELATED ASSETS
“Now that the sentencing aspect is over, we will move forward,” said Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham. “He’s going to have an opportunity (for a discipline hearing). We’ll make our decision after that.”

Wickersham said the discipline to be meted out to Sauve could range from a suspension “up to and including discharge.”

Sauve went to work for the Macomb County Sheriff Department in 1999 as a corrections officer. He was sworn in as a deputy in 2003.














Jury to decide fate of suspended Macomb County deputy
By Jameson Cook
Posted: Wednesday, 05/23/12 12:01 am
Updated: Wednesday, 05/23/12 07:44 am
http://www.macombdaily.com/article/20120523/NEWS02/120529857/jury-to-decide-fate-of-suspended-macomb-county-deputy

A Macomb County jury Wednesday will begin deliberating whether a suspended sheriff’s deputy stalked and assaulted his mistress, and illegally entered her apartment.


The jury trial of Thomas Sauve concluded Tuesday in Macomb County Circuit Court with prosecuting and defense attorneys arguing whether Sauve’s actions were criminal or over-reactions to the ugly, sometimes alcohol-influenced end to an illicit affair. Sauve admitted to repeatedly lying to his wife and his mistress.

“Divorce is drama, drinking is drama, dating is drama,” assistant Macomb prosecutor Betsy Mellos told jurors. “This we know is criminal. … Separate the drama from the elements of the crime.

“He’s a law enforcement officer in a position of power, and he broke the law himself.”

RELATED ASSETS
Sauve’s defense attorney, Kenneth Karam, called Sauve’s accuser, Amanda Sanchez Kolos, a liar, and that she was as much in the wrong as he was.

“To say one is better than the other in this tryst is news to me,” Karam told jurors.

Sauve testified: “I’m not on trial for lying. I’m not on trial for adultery.”











Sunday, July 8, 2012

07072012 - Officer Jeff Smith - Eaton Rapids PD



Also See:





On January 15, 2013 Eaton Rapids PD Sergeant Jeff Smith was arraigned on domestic violence charges, for an incident that took place on July 07, 2012.










Police Sergeant Faces Domestic Violence Charges
Posted: Jan 15, 2013 3:03 PM CST
By Ann Emmerich -
http://www.wlns.com/story/20595118/police-sergeant-faces-domestic-violence-charges

Sergeant Jeff Smith from the Eaton Rapids Police Department is facing domestic violence charges.

City records show he's an 11 year veteran of the force and was promoted to sergeant last April.

Smith stood quiet at his arraignment Monday in Ingham County District Court. His charges stem from an incident last July against his then wife. Records out of Jackson County show they divorced late last year.

Smith serves on Eaton Rapids' Police Force, but lives in Meridian Township. Because the charge against him is a misdemeanor, he wasn't jailed and is out on a personal bond of $500. As part of that bond, the judge granted him permission to have a gun for work purposes only.

A sergeant with the Eaton Rapids Police Department said the chief is out of town for the next week and a half and no one there is authorized to speak about the charges against Smith. It's unknown if he is continuing to work or suspended.

He's due back in court in about two weeks.

Stay with 6 news as we continue to bring you the details of this story.

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

07032012 - Deputy Matthew Linsenbigler - Dickinson SD





Case involving alleged child abuse settled without trial
FOX UP - TV 6
Posted: 10.11.2012 at 1:57 PM
http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/news/story.aspx?id=811890

DICKINSON COUNTY -- A probate court case in Dickinson County involving a county sheriff's department deputy has been settled without a trial.

According to the county prosecutor Don Powell, the case against Matthew Linsenbigler and Kristin Punzel was settled with the Department of Human Services.

It had been alleged that one parent had caused harm to their then four-month-old child by shaking and failed to provide proper medical care. As part of the settlement, DHS dismissed the intentional harm allegation and dismissed Punzel from the case.

Linsenbigler entered a no contest admission on the failure to provide medical care, and in return, voluntarily terminated his parental rights.

Powell said there was no finding made by the judge that either of the parents intentionally harmed the child.

              








 Sheriff's Deputy and girlfriend in court for alleged child abuse
by Beth Cefalu
FOX UP - TV 6
Posted: 08.01.2012 at 5:03 AM
http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/news/story.aspx?id=782884

IRON MOUNTAIN -- A Dickinson County Sheriff's deputy and his girlfriend were in court Tuesday in a case of alleged child abuse.

The defendants, Matthew Linsenbigler and Kristen Punzel, asked to allow their other child to come home, but Judge Schuppe denied the family's request.

The Department of Human Services alleges Linsenbigler and Punzel neglected or abused a four-month-old child by failing to provide medical attention. DHS officials say the four month old sustained head injuries caused by shaking.

Defense attorneys argue the brain bleeding was the result of rapid brain growth.

The prosecutor's office says there's not enough evidence to bring criminal charges. The case is being handled in probate court. A trial is scheduled for October. If found guilty, the defendants could lose their parental rights.

Linsenbigler will remain on leave from the Dickinson County Sheriff's office until the case is settled.

              









 Shaken Baby Hearing in Probate Court
7/31/2012
WJNR -FM 101.5 Radio
http://www.ask4direct.com/inforead.asp?id=wjnr&infoid=818356

(IRONMOUNTAIN, MI.)--It was determined on Tuesday there is not enough evidence to file criminal charges against a sheriff's deputy and his girlfriend although they could lose parental rights. That determination in a Probate court hearing. The deputy, Mathew Linsenbigler and his girl friend, Kristen Punzel, according  to Department of Human Services, the child abuse occurred when they failed to provide medical care for a four month old infant who sustained head injuries, allegedly caused by the child being shaken. That led to brain bleeding according to DHS officials.leading to rapid brain growth. The matter is being heard in Probate Court and is to continue in October. Deputy Linsenbigler will remain on leave from the Dickinson County Sheriff's Department until the matter is resolved when a determination of his employment will then be decided.










Deputy suspended during child abuse investigation
by Beth Cefalu
FOX UP - TV 6
Posted: 07.03.2012 at 5:44 AM
http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/news/story.aspx?id=772189


IRON MOUNTAIN -- The Michigan State Police from the Iron Mountain Post are investigating a case of alleged child abuse of a four month old by a Dickinson County Sheriff's deputy.

Thirty-three year old Deputy Matthew Linsenbigler of Kingsford is on leave from the Dickinson County Sheriff's Office.

According to court documents, the Michigan Department of Human Services states the four month old sustained head injuries caused by shaking. The case is currently being handled in probate court.

No criminal charges have been filed.

A pretrial conference in probate court has been scheduled for July 31 where attorneys will meet with the judge to go over evidence in the case.


Friday, June 22, 2012

06222012 - Deputy Charles Ball - Trial - Washtenaw SD

Deputy Charles Ball [Washtenaw SD] arrested for domestic violence, March 02, 2012:

http://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/03/deputy-charles-ball-washtenaw-county-sd.html






Sheriff's deputy found not guilty on 3 charges stemming from March domestic dispute
By Kyle Feldscher: Crime and courts reporter
Posted on Fri, Jun 22, 2012 : 11:26 a.m.
Ann Arbor News
http://www.annarbor.com/news/crime/sheriffs-deputy-found-not-guilty-on-3-criminal-charges-from-march-domestic-dispute/

A jury found Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Deputy Charles Ball not guilty Thursday on three criminal charges related to a March 2 arrest in Van Buren Township.

Maria Miller, spokeswoman for the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, said the jury found Ball not guilty of felonious assault, a felony firearm charge and a domestic violence charge. Ball had been arrested during an alleged domestic dispute at his home in the 46000 block of Village Green Lane.

Washtenaw County Sheriff Jerry Clayton told AnnArbor.com Ball was placed on unpaid leave following the March incident. Clayton was not immediately available for comment on Ball’s status Friday morning.

Ball, 46, has been in law enforcement for more than 27 years, holding various positions in the sheriff’s office, such as detective and school liaison officer.

Investigators with the Van Buren Township Department of Public Safety alleged Ball had a gun in his possession during a domestic dispute on March 2 at the home. No one was injured in the incident and Ball was the only person arrested, according to police. More details on the incident were not released.

AnnArbor.com could not reach Ball for comment Friday morning. Sheriff’s Office spokesman Derrick Jackson did not immediately return a message seeking an update on Ball’s status and the sheriff’s office investigation into the incident.