08162005 - Chief Kenneth Norton - Resigns - Colon PD

Also See:

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

http://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1994/07/deputy-kenneth-norton-st-joseph-sd.html

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

http://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/08/chief-kenneth-norton-colon-pd.html

 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.

                       

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

Buena Vista State C.O. Ronald Mielcarek - Assault With Intent To Commit Murder

12032003 - Buena Vista State C.O. Ronald Mielcarek - Shot/Wounded Wife

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

09082005 - Buena Vista State C.O. Ronald Mielcarek - Appeal Filed

03092006 - Buena Vista State C.O. Ronald Mielcarek - Appeal Filed - Juror Prejudice

11162006 - Buena Vista State C.O. Ronald Mielcarek - Appeal - Conviction Affirmed

08162007 - Buena Vista State C.O. Ronald Mielcarek - Appeal - Affirmed In Part And Remanded For Resentencing

10152007 - Buena Vista State C.O. Ronald Mielcarek - Resentenced Per Appeal Opinion [08162007]

   

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.