Tuesday, August 16, 2005

08162005 - Chief Kenneth Norton - Resigns - Colon PD


Also See:

Deputy Kenneth Norton dismissed from St. County Sheriff Department for CSC allegations [1994]




Colon Police Chief Kenneth Norton - August 2004 CSC assault and charges


 In August 2004, Colon Police Chief Kenneth Norton sexually assaulted an acquaintance while he was on duty. During the investigation of the victim's complaint, other  victims of Norton's  stepped forward...Including a victim from 1994.








It was discovered during the 2004 - 2005 investigation that before he was Chief of Police for Colon, Kenneth Norton was a deputy on the St. County Sheriff Department.  He was terminated from the sheriff department in  August 1994, after a victim filed a CSC complaint against him. Criminal charges were never filed against him AND on April 15, 1995, Kenneth Norton became Colon's Chief of Police.










Ex-chief to receive back pay
Thursday, August 18, 2005
The Kalamazoo Gazette
http://www.mlive.com/news/kzgazette/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1124378483261560.xml&coll=7

Former Colon Police Chief Kenneth Norton will receive about $4,800 in back sick pay following his resignation Tuesday, Village Council President Anthony Wolowicz said.

Council members voted unanimously to give Norton the lump sum as he departs the post he's held for a decade. The figure amounts to about half of the sick pay Norton had accumulated before his departure, Wolowicz said.

Norton's resignation came six weeks after he was charged with fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct accusing him of inappropriately touching a woman.

Additional charges of felony firearm and second-degree criminal sexual conduct in which a weapon was used were filed recently against the 60-year-old in the case.

Norton had been on vacation since early July.

A police affidavit said Norton, a Colon resident, was in uniform when he came to a 33-year-old woman's apartment, made comments about her breast, pulled on her shirt to expose part of her breast, then put his hand down her shirt and fondled her.

The affidavit says Norton admitted to moving the woman's shirt to expose part of her breast, stating that he thought the woman was willing to allow that. He denied he fondled her.

The woman made a complaint with authorities shortly after the Aug. 14, 2004, incident, according to Michigan State Police investigators. A special prosecutor from Calhoun County was assigned to the case.

Wolowicz said Sgt. Mark Brinkert has been put in charge of the police department. Officials will discuss filling the chief's position at its Sept. 13 meeting.

                     











Chief resigns ‘with regrets’
8/17/2005
By Amanda VanAuker
Sturgis Journal, MI
http://www.sturgisjournal.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=65&ArticleID=19240&TM=78334.33

COLON — Colon Police Department Chief Ken Norton submitted his resignation “with regrets” to the Colon Village Council Tuesday night after a special meeting to discuss the matter.

After going into closed session with Norton and his attorney, J. Richard Colbeck of Coldwater, the board reconvened to approve a motion to accept Norton’s resignation.

They also agreed to pay Norton a portion of his accumulated sick time, totaling more than $5,000.

The village chief of many years has been charged in St. Joseph County with fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, second-degree criminal sexual conduct and a felony firearms charge. He entered a not-guilty plea to all charges earlier this month in Calhoun County.

The charges stem from accusations that Norton inappropriately touched a Colon woman in August 2004 at her apartment while he was on duty.

The council members would not say who would replace Norton, only that they would discuss the matter at their next board meeting Sept. 13.

                   











Facing sex charges, police chief quits
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
The Kalamazoo Gazette
http://www.mlive.com/news/kzgazette/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1124292047303350.xml&coll=7

Colon Police Chief Kenneth Norton resigned Tuesday, six weeks after he was charged with fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct involving the inappropriate touching of a woman.

Additional charges of felony firearm and second-degree criminal sexual conduct in which a weapon was used also recently were filed against Norton in the case.

Colon village officials accepted Norton's written letter of resignation at a special meeting Tuesday night, Village Council President Anthony Wolowicz said.

Wolowicz said council members were told of Norton's resignation request during a closed session. The council reconvened in public and Wolowicz announced the chief's resignation, he said.

Norton, 60, had been on vacation since early July when the fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct charge against him became public. A police affidavit said Norton, a Colon resident, was in uniform when he came to a 33-year-old woman's apartment, made comments about her breast, pulled on her shirt to expose part of her breast, then put his hand down her shirt and fondled her.

The affidavit says Norton admitted to moving the woman's shirt to expose part of her breast, stating that he thought the woman was willing to allow that. He denied he fondled her.

The woman made a complaint with authorities shortly after the Aug. 14, 2004, incident, according to Michigan State Police investigators. A special prosecutor from Calhoun County was assigned to the case.

Fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct carries a maximum penalty of up to two years in prison, second-degree criminal sexual conduct is a 15-year felony and felony firearm carries a mandatory two-year minimum sentence.

Wolowicz said village officials will discuss filling Norton's position at its next regular meeting Sept. 13.

                       





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Monday, August 15, 2005

08152005 - Buena Vista State C.O. Ronald Mielcarek - Sentenced




   












Corrections officer charged Saginaw News
December 6, 2003
DARRYL Q. TUCKER
The wife of a state corrections officer says she feared for her life when her husband jostled her from her sleep and shot at her twice, leaving her with superficial wounds, court papers indicate.

In a personal protection order request, Danelle I. Mielcarek, 28, wrote that her husband, Ronald S. Mielcarek, arrived at their Freeland home from work about 5:30 a.m. Wednesday and demanded to know about an affair that was not taking place, the document says.

Ronald Mielcarek is a corrections officer at the Buena Vista Corrections Center, 1835 Treanor in Buena Vista Township.

"He pulled his gun on me and shot at me twice; once shooting the phone when I was holding it to my head and once on my way to running out the door, grazing my left ear," the papers say. "I would not be here today if those bullets were on target. I fear that I might not be as lucky next time."

Mielcarek said she fled the home and hid in the neighborhood until deputies arrived. Police arrested Ronald Mielcarek at a home in Carrollton Township about two hours after the shooting.

Doctors at Covenant HealthCare treated Danelle Mielcarek for wounds to her ear and nose and released her.

A Saginaw County Sheriff's report indicated that deputies found a hole in a phone at the couple's house and hair hanging from the hole that Danelle Mielcarek said the bullet made.

Saginaw County Probate Judge Patrick J. McGraw granted Danelle Mielcarek the protection request in effect until Jan. 4, 2006. The order also means that Ronald Mielcarek must not visit his wife's parents' home in Saginaw.

A violation could result in 93 days in jail and $500 in fines.Meanwhile, Ronald Mielcarek, 33, faces charges of assault with intent to commit murder and possessing a firearm while committing a felony.

Prosecutors will present evidence to District Judge M. Randall Jurrens, who will determine whether Ronald Mielcarek should stand trial in Circuit Court. A conviction could lead to a sentence of up to life in prison, with the possibility of parole.

Ronald Mielcarek is free on a $50,000 cash bond.













He accuses wife of affair, talks to his mistress about it
Saginaw News (MI)
June 23, 2005
A state corrections officer tried to kill his wife in their Freeland home in December 2003 after accusing her of having an affair with one of her co-workers, a prosecutor says.

Ronald S. Mielcarek arrived home about 5 a.m. Dec. 3 and argued with his wife, Danelle I. Hoffman, Saginaw County Assistant Prosecutor Jeffrey D. Stroud told a jury of eight men and six women during Mielcarek's trial.

"He took a gun, pointed it at her head and fired, taking a portion of her ear off," Stroud said.

Mielcarek then chased his wife, now 29, down the stairs and fired another shot, he said.

"She got out of the house," Stroud said. "She survived."

After the incident, Mielcarek, 35, drove to the home of a woman with whom he was having an extramarital affair and told her what happened, Stroud said.

The Saginaw resident faces charges of assault with intent to commit murder and possessing a firearm while committing a felony.

Defense attorney James F. Gust told jurors his client fired the shots but wasn't trying to kill his wife. The couple was married for two years before they divorced.

Mielcarek worked at the Buena Vista Corrections Center, 1835 Treanor in Buena Vista Township, before administrators suspended him the day he faced criminal charges. A Department of Corrections spokeswoman said Mielcarek is not an active state employee.

He is in jail on a $50,000 cash or surety bond.

On Dec. 2, Mielcarek called his wife, a Delphi Corp. employee, and told her he was going out with friends, which upset her, Stroud said. Hoffman got off work, bought a six-pack of beer and drove home.

She drank five of the six beers and fell asleep, he said. About 5 a.m., Mielcarek came into the house and began screaming at her.

Mielcarek accused Hoffman of having an affair, which she denied, Stroud said.

"He had a .380 semiautomatic pistol pointed right at her," the prosecutor said.

Hoffman began dialing 911 while telling Mielcarek to put the gun down, Stroud said. When she raised the phone to her ear, he fired.

"The bullet goes through the phone, shattering the phone," which took a chunk off her ear, Stroud said.

With the destroyed phone in her hand, Hoffman fled the bedroom, went downstairs to the kitchen and got another phone, he said. As she neared the front door, Mielcarek fired another shot, Stroud said.

A hysterical Hoffman told 911 dispatchers what happened, Stroud said. She also ran to neighbors' homes and pounded on doors, but no one came out, Stroud said.

A short time later, a sheriff's deputy arrived.

Later in the day, police found Mielcarek at the home of his mistress and arrested him, Stroud said.

The woman at first denied knowledge of the incident but later said Mielcarek told her he believed he had killed his wife when he shot at her, Stroud said.

The other woman will testify that Mielcarek had vowed to kill his wife with a hammer or set her house on fire with her inside, and that he mentioned getting members of a motorcycle gang to slay her, Stroud said.

Prosecutors won't succeed in proving that Mielcarek tried to kill Hoffman, Gust said. Mielcarek had an alcohol problem, and he and his wife had fought verbally, the attorney said.

"There will be no evidence he ever assaulted her on prior occasions," Gust said.

Both Mielcarek and Hoffman were intoxicated the morning of the shooting, Gust said.

"It was a pretty stupid thing for him to do," he said. "We're not saying he didn't do anything wrong; we are saying he didn't intend to kill his wife."

He could have killed her if he wanted to, but he didn't."












Corrections officer convicted on gun charge
Saginaw News (MI)
June 28, 2005
A jury deadlocked Monday on whether a state corrections officer tried to kill his wife in their Freeland home in December 2003 after accusing her of having an affair with one of her co-workers.

However, the jury of four men and eight women did convict Ronald S. Mielcarek of having a gun during the incident with his wife, Danelle I. Hoffman.

Saginaw County Circuit Judge Robert L. Kaczmarek will sentence Mielcarek, 35, on Monday, Aug. 15, to the mandatory sentence of two years in prison for possessing a firearm while committing a felony.Court officials have not set the date for Mielcarek's retrial.

About 5 a.m. Dec. 3, Mielcarek came home and argued with his wife, prosecutors said. He took a gun, pointed it at her head and fired, shooting off part of her ear, they said.

Mielcarek is in jail on a $50,000 cash or surety bond.












Former officer going to prison
Saginaw News (MI)
August 16, 2005
A former state corrections officer is headed to prison for a weapons charge involving his wife.

Ronald S. Mielcarek, 35, is serving a two-year sentence for possessing a firearm while committing a felony.

During Monday's hearing, Saginaw County Circuit Judge Robert L. Kaczmarek gave Mielcarek credit for 535 days he served in jail while awaiting trial. The judge also ordered Mielcarek to pay $120 in fees and fines.

In June, a jury deadlocked on whether Mielcarek tried to kill his wife, Danelle I. Hoffman, in their Freeland home in December 2003 after accusing her of having an affair with one of her co-workers.

Prosecutors have said they will again try Mielcarek on a charge of assault with intent to commit murder. Court officials have not set the date for Mielcarek's retrial.

About 5 a.m. Dec. 3, Mielcarek came home and argued with his wife, prosecutors said. He took a gun, pointed it at her head and fired, shooting off part of her ear, they said.

Hoffman fled the house and a short time later, sheriff's deputies arrived.

Mielcarek worked at the Buena Vista Corrections Center, 1835 Treanor in Buena Vista Township. Administrators suspended him the day he faced criminal charges. A Department of Corrections spokeswoman said Mielcarek is not an active state employee.













Jury: Guilty of assaulting wife
Saginaw News (MI)
January 12, 2006
A former state corrections officer already serving a prison term on a weapons charge involving his wife now is convicted of trying to kill her.

Ronald S. Mielcarek, 35, was in Saginaw County Circuit Court on Wednesday when a jury of eight men and four women found him guilty of assault with intent to murder Danelle I. Hoffman.

Jurors deliberated for about 31Ú2 hours.

Mielcarek, who is serving two years in prison for possessing a firearm while committing a felony, will receive his sentence Tuesday, Feb. 21. He faces life behind bars.

In June, a jury deadlocked on whether Mielcarek tried to kill Hoffman in their Freeland home in December 2003 after accusing her of having an affair with one of her co-workers.

About 5 a.m. Dec. 3, Mielcarek came home and argued with his wife, authorities said. He took a gun, pointed it at her head and fired, shooting off part of her ear, they said.

Hoffman fled the house, and sheriff's deputies arrived a short time later.

Mielcarek worked at the Buena Vista Corrections Center, 1835 Treanor in Buena Vista Township. Administrators there suspended him the day he faced criminal charges, and the Department of Corrections later fired Mielcarek.













Former corrections officer gets 10 to 20 in shooting
Saginaw News (MI)
February 22, 2006
A former state corrections officer has received punishment for trying to kill his wife.Ronald S. Mielcarek, 35, learned Monday that he will spend the next 10 to 20 years in prison for assault with intent to murder Danelle I. Hoffman. A jury convicted Mielcarek.

After the hearing, Hoffman said she is "pleased with the sentence" and glad the case is over.

During the proceeding, Mielcarek turned to Hoffman and apologized to her. He said what he did "was unacceptable" and it "was truly out of character for me."

Mielcarek, who said he had consumed alcohol the night of the incident, argued through his attorney that his offense was more consistent with felonious assault and that he should serve only three to 10 years in prison.

In June, a jury convicted Mielcarek of possessing a firearm while committing a felony against Hoffman but deadlocked on whether he tried to kill her in their Freeland home in December 2003 after accusing her of having an affair with one of her co-workers.

About 5 a.m. Dec. 3, Mielcarek came home and argued with his wife, prosecutors said. He took a gun, pointed it at her head and fired, shooting off part of her ear.

Hoffman fled, and sheriff's deputies arrived a short time later.

Mielcarek worked at the Buena Vista Corrections Center, 1835 Treanor in Buena Vista Township. Administrators there suspended him the day he faced criminal charges, and the Department of Corrections later fired Mielcarek. He also said he had worked as a respiratory therapist at Gratiot Community Hospital.

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Monday, July 25, 2005

07252005 - Deputy Kevin Chittick - Appeal - Lapeer County SD - Conviction Confirmed 03202007









03202007--Kevin-Chittick--Petition-For-New-Trial--MI-Court-Of-Appeals--OPINION--Conviction-Affirmed













Conviction upheld
The County Press
by SUSAN YOUNGER
April 4, 2007
http://www.countypress.com/stories/040407/loc_20070404003.shtml

Convicted former Lapeer County Sheriff's deputy Kevin Chittick will likely serve out his sentence of seven to 15 years behind bars for having sex with underage girls.

 Last Thursday, Michigan Court of Appeals Judge David H. Sawyer, Judge E. Thomas Fitzgerald and Judge Pat M. Donofrio unanimously denied Chittick's request for a new trial, said Lapeer County assistant prosecutor Geoffrey Stuart.

 In May 2005, Chittick, 38, was found guilty of 19 counts of criminal sexual conduct. The Grand Blanc man was convicted of 14 counts of third-degree CSC. Chittick also was convicted of five counts of fourth-degree CSC and willful neglect of duty for spending time at the girls' homes while on duty.

 The charges stemmed from sexual assaults in Lapeer, Genesee and Oscoda counties from the end of 2001 through 2002. Both girls were between the ages of 13-15 at the time. The allegations came to light in January 2004, when one of the girls told her aunt.

 Chittick, through his appeals attorney Mark Sawtawa, claimed he hadn't received a fair trial because Lapeer County Prosecutor Byron Konschuh reviewed computer materials that involved attorney-client matters.

 "His computer was seized by the Michigan State Police after it was revealed Chittick had an affinity towards child pornography," said Stuart. "Pornography is a standard grooming technique used to make children think their having sex is normal. There were conversations between Chittick and his attorney on the computer. However, there was no information used at trial that was gained from the seizure."

 Through his attorney, Chittick also argued he was denied a fair trial because of hearsay testimony made by his wife during cross examination. His wife said her sister was made uncomfortable by Chittick when he made fun of her underwear and put his hand on her belly.

 When Chittick was hired — he began in 1998 and later resigned in May 2003 — there was no way to foresee these actions, said Lapeer County Sheriff Ron Kalanquin previously. Chittick had passed a very stringent written test and was working on his bachelor's degree at the University of Michigan-Flint. Prior to coming on with the LCSD, he had been a paramedic in the Navy with dive experience and received a "glowing recommendation" from his shift supervisor at the Portsmouth, Va., Police Department.

 It's likely Chittick will spend at least five more years behind bars before he is eligible for parole unless an appeal request is granted by the Michigan Supreme Court.

 "But that's not likely," said Stuart.













Court Denies Deputy A New Trial for molestation charges
March 31, 2007
The Flint Journal
http://www.mlive.com/news/fljournal/index.ssf?/base/news

-Police officers, Kalanquin said, must maintain strong personal and professional ethical values. There are 83 people working for the sheriff's department and, Kalanquin said, they are doing an excellent job. The single incident involving Chittick, Kalanquin said, is disappointing, but it doesn't cast a huge shadow on the department.

 "The other employees are doing a marvelous job," Kalanquin said. "I think people understand that sometimes these things happen, despite our best efforts."












Court Denies Deputy A New Trial for molestation charges
March 31, 2007
The Flint Journal
http://www.mlive.com/news/fljournal/index.ssf?/base/news-4/1175343736113500.xml&coll=5

LAPEER , MICHIGAN - A former Lapeer County sheriff’s deputy won’t get a new trial on his 2005 sexual assault conviction, the Michigan Court of Appeals has ruled.

 Kevin Chittick, 40, of Grand Blanc Township was sentenced in July 2005 to 7 years 11 months to 15 years in prison by Lapeer Circuit Judge Nick O. Holowka.

 Chittick in his appeal claimed errors by his attorney, the prosecutor and judge necessitated a new trial.

 In its March 20 ruling, the appeals court said if there were any errors, they did not prejudice the outcome of the trial.

 Chittick is serving his sentence at the Muskegon Correctional Facility.

 The former deputy was found guilty by a jury of 14 counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, five counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of neglect of duty.

 The charges stemmed from relationships Chittick developed with two underage girls.

 Chittick met one girl while he was investigating a missing teen in 2001 and began developing a sexual relationship with her while the girl was 13 and 14 in 2001 and 2002.

 Another girl, a friend of the first victim, testified that Chittick sexually assaulted her in her backyard pool.

 Chittick, who was married, accompanied the girls to a summer horse camp in Oscoda County, where additional sexual assaults occurred.

 The first victim’s parents testified they didn’t initially discourage the friendship because Chittick was a deputy, but they later banned her from seeing him after they became suspicious.

 Despite knowing the parents’ wishes, a North Branch middle school teacher allowed Chittick to meet with the girl at the teacher’s home, where another sexual assault occurred.

 The teacher received a suspension from the district.





























































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Thursday, July 21, 2005

07212005 - Assist Prosecutor Stephen Allen - Suspended - Huron County

Also See:

Huron County Assistant Prosecutor Stephen Allen arrested for domestic violence



Following his arrest for domestic violence against his wife, Deputy Jamie Allen, Assistant Prosecutor Stephen Allen was suspended from his position at the Huron County Prosecutor's Office.


 
Huron County prosecutor will face charges of domestic violence

Thursday, August 25, 2005
By Tom Gilchrist
The Bay City Times
http://www.mlive.com/news/bctimes/index.ssf?/base/news-5/1124982935103520.xml&coll=4

BAD AXE - Bay County Prosecutor Joseph K. Sheeran plans to charge Huron County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Stephen J. Allen with domestic violence for an alleged attack on Allen's wife on July 21.

 Stephen Allen, 57, would face a maximum sentence of 93 days in jail if convicted of the crime. Sheeran claims Allen attacked 50-year-old Jamie R. Allen at the Allens' home near Port Hope, in Huron County.

 Jamie Allen said her husband spit on her, stomped on her feet, grabbed the sides of her back "really hard" and kicked her Rottweiler dog in the dispute, according to a police report.

 Stephen Allen denies harming his wife, spitting on her or kicking the dog, according to the same report.

 The state Attorney General's office appointed Sheeran as a special prosecutor to decide whether Stephen Allen should face a criminal charge. Sheeran said his office filed a complaint against Allen in Huron County District Court on Friday, which starts the process of bringing Allen into court for arraignment on a criminal charge.

 "We'll handle it and continue to handle it like it's a routine case," Sheeran said.

 Workers at Huron County District Court, however, said no complaint had been filed with their court as of Wednesday afternoon.

 Sheeran said Huron County District Judge Karl E. Kraus told him he would decline to serve as judge for Allen's case. Sheeran said he expects the State Court Administrative Office would appoint a visiting judge to handle the case.

 Huron County Prosecutor Mark J. Gaertner suspended Allen as chief assistant prosecutor following Allen's arrest on the night of the incident.

Stephen Allen had been served with divorce papers the week before the dispute with his 50-year-old wife, Gaertner said.

 Jamie Allen - who works as a deputy for the Oakland County Sheriff's Department - told officers she and her husband had argued about who owned the household's two French bulldogs. Stephen Allen told police he was upset about a $2,800 dog-care bill.

 Huron County Sheriff's Department Sgt. Gary Polega and Deputy Brandon Kadar took photographs of apparent injuries to Jamie Allen the night of the dispute at the Allen home in Huron Township.

Jamie Allen told police she just wanted her husband to leave for the night and she didn't want officers to arrest him. Gaertner said Jamie Allen doesn't wish to have criminal charges filed against her husband.





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