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.

Saturday, June 16, 2012

06162012 - Sheriff Candidate Lance Laird - Probation Violation: Drugs



Also See:
Jackson County Sheriff Candidate Lance Laird [2012]





While running for Jackson County Sheriff, Lance Laird [on probation for a domestic violence charge] violated probation when he tested positive for drugs [June 16, 2012].






Jackson County Sheriff candidate Lance Laird sent to jail for 57 days for violating probation by testing positive for cocaine
Published: Tuesday, July 31, 2012, 10:26 AM
Updated: Tuesday, July 31, 2012, 2:23 PM
By Aaron Aupperlee The Jackson Citizen Patriot http://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/index.ssf/2012/07/jackson_county_sheriff_candida_1.html



JACKSON, MI — Jackson County Sheriff candidate Lance Laird will spend the Aug. 7 primary behind bars.


District Judge R. Darryl Mazur sent Laird, 36, to jail for 57 days after testing positive for cocaine while on probation. Laird claimed someone spiked his stuff with something causing the positive test.

"Mr. Laird, I'm not sure whether you're going to make this election for sheriff or not," Mazur said before imposing a sentence in the matter. "Candidly, I doubt it."

Laird, on probation for a domestic violence charge to which he pleaded no contest in March 2011, tested positive for cocaine when tested on June 16, according to information presented in court. The 57-day sentence is the remainder of Laird's 93-day maximum sentence for the domestic violence charge. Laird already spent 36 days in jail for the original charge and other violations.

During his violation hearing Tuesday, Laird accused Tammy Sanders, the woman he allegedly assaulted, of putting something in his stuff to create the positive test. Laird attempted to play a recording of Sanders admitting to "putting stuff in my things," he said. The audio could not be heard by Mazur or anyone else in the courtroom.

Mazur asked Laird what the essence of the recording was, and Laird replied, "She said, yeah, I put stuff in your shit."

Laird never used the words cocaine or drugs in his allegations against Sanders. Sanders was not in court to testify. Laird said she lies and would not be a credible witness. Mazur said it would have been more credible had Sanders come in to testify Tuesday. Laird's attorney was also not present. Laird said she had another hearing.

Kris Putman, Laird's probation officer, said Laird did not show up for tests on June 12 and June 13. Putman called Laird and told him to go test. Laird told Putman he was frustrated with the system. Laird did not provide enough urine on June 15. On June 16, his test was positive for cocaine. Laird requested the sample be sent away for verification. The verification came back positive as well.

Laird claims the initial domestic violence charge was based on lies and made against him because of an on-going custody dispute with Sanders. Photographs taken after the assault show Sanders with a cut lip and a bloody nose. Police reports provided by Laird show that Sanders had reported Laird hit her twice before. She had no marks, and police could not verify that an assault occurred in each. After the third report, when Sanders went to the Jackson Police Department with a bloodied face, Laird was arrested.

He pleaded no contest to avoid spending more time in jail awaiting a trial, he said in previous conversations.

Laird's stint in jail will his 15th, according to jail records. Charges against Laird in previous, unrelated matters, were dismissed, court records show. A jury convicted him of operating while impaired in 2008. He was found guilty of assault and battery in 1994. Laird has been convicted of traffic infractions and having a dog at large, according to court records. There have been eight civil actions filed against him.

He contends the county justice system is corrupt and has fought his probation and previous charges.

Laird has said as sheriff he would throw in jail prosecutors and judges who violate people's rights and use plea deals as instruments of coercion. He believes the county's criminal justice system is overrun with corruption.

"What would you do if you were sheriff?" Mazur asked.

"I don't think that's proper for the court," Laird responded. "I'm not here for my political agenda."

"I'm curious," Mazur said.

"Maybe you should ask me outside of court," Laird responded.

At the close of the hearing, Mazur said, "If you're elected sheriff, go ahead hold us all accountable."

Laird was placed in handcuffs and led out of the courtroom.