Pension of imprisoned former Michigan prosecutor frozen by judge
MOUNT CLEMENS, MI -- A judge has frozen the pension of former Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith who is currently serving a 21-month prison sentence while another case is ongoing. According to the Associated Press, Oakland County Circuit Judge Nanci Grant issued the ruling after a request was made by Michigan Attorney General’s Office that pensions for Smith and his former chief of operations, Derek Miller be frozen. Grant is handling the case as the judges in Macomb County disqualified themselves. Smith is facing 10 charges in that case, while Miller is facing two. The pensions, which are through the Macomb County Employees Retirement System, or MCERS, will be frozen until further ruling from Grant.
mlive.comAfter pocketing his own campaign funds, ex-Michigan prosecutor to spend 21 months in prison
MOUNT CLEMENS, MI — “Egregious” deeds led a former Macomb County Prosecutor, Eric Smith, to receive a sentence of 21 months in prison this week, the Associated Press reported. Smith in January pleaded guilty to a federal felony count of obstruction of justice related to a corruption probe that concluded last year. Smith’s deeds in these cases are egregious,” U.S. District Judge Linda Parker said during Smith’s sentencing Wednesday, Feb. 16, the AP reported. The plea deal ensured Smith wouldn’t face further prosecution related to the year-long investigation that exposed the crimes. RELATED:Ex-Macomb County Prosecutor pleads guilty to obstruction, apologizes in court hearingYpsilanti officials release details about fatal crash that occurred minutes after police traffic stopMan allegedly uses pile of blankets to set mother’s home on fire
mlive.comFormer prosecutor facing prison time for obstructing investigation into campaign fund fraud
MOUNT CLEMENS, MI – A former Detroit-area prosecutor is facing possible prison time for obstructing justice in an investigation of how he spent campaign donations, The Associated Press reports. Eric Smith, a Democrat, was Macomb County’s elected prosecutor for 15 years before resigning in 2020 amid federal and state investigations, the report said. In a federal case, he pleaded guilty last year to attempting to get three people, including two assistant prosecutors, to make false statements about his use of campaign cash. Between 2012 and 2020, Smith conducted two fraud schemes to steal approximately $75,000 in cash from his political campaign for personal expenses, federal investigators said. Federal prosecutors are seeking 21 months in prison.
mlive.comMacomb County carjacking suspects lead police on high-speed chase that ends with dramatic arrests
A driver had his Jeep Grand Cherokee stolen but luckily was not hurt when the carjackers shot at him. What happened next was captured on Macomb County sheriff’s dash and body cam. The suspects are a man and woman, and as the dashcam will show in the video player above, it was the woman behind the wheel fleeing police.
Macomb County carjacking leads police on high-speed chase, ends with dramatic arrest
A driver had his Jeep Grand Cherokee stolen but luckily was not hurt when the carjackers shot at him. What happened next was captured on Macomb County sheriff’s dash and body cam. The suspects are a man and woman, and as the dashcam will show in the video player above, it was the woman behind the wheel fleeing police.
Michigan police pursuit ends after suspect in stolen vehicle crashes, killing 58-year-old woman
MOUNT CLEMENS, MI – A woman is dead after a man fleeing police in a stolen car crashed into her vehicle, fatally injuring her. The suspect drove off at a high rate of speed after striking at least one undercover vehicle. The chase continued but came to an end when the suspect crashed the truck into a woman’s car and both vehicles rolled over, according to the Associated Press. The 58-year-old female motorist from Harrison Township was pronounced dead at a hospital a short time later, the Associated Press reported. The 41-year-old suspect who was driving the truck ran from the scene but was quickly apprehended by Macomb County sheriff’s deputies.
mlive.comWhite man sentenced for vandalizing neighbor’s property, didn’t like “Black Lives Matter” signage
The vandalism took place over the course of a handful of days, before Frederick was arrested. “I targeted these people because I didn’t like their political sign that they had in the window,” Frederick said while addressing the court. “I think you guys are some great people and didn’t deserve this at all.”Frederick was also sentenced for a charge of malicious destruction of property for vandalizing the property of a white homeowner who displayed a sign promoting then-presidential candidate Joe Biden. Judge Diane Druzinski complemented the Hall family for their forgiveness and willingness to move past the incident. “I wish I was as good as people as you,” Druzinski said.
mlive.comFather receives prison sentence for DUI crash that killed his 7-year-old son
MOUNT CLEMENS, MI -- A New York man was sentenced to 29 months in prison after he pleaded guilty in June to a charge of driving while intoxicated causing death. Arturo Mendez, 33, was sentenced Thursday for his role in the death of his 7-year-old son who was killed when Mendez crashed his car after a night of drinking. The 7-year-old was in the car with Mendez and was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital following the crash. Mendez is from upstate New York and was visiting family for the holidays when he started drinking at a friend’s house on the night of the crash. “I committed a crime, and I have to pay for it,” Mendez said.
mlive.comOwner of security company pleads guilty to lesser charge in Macomb County embezzlement scheme
The owner of a Metro Detroit security company pleaded guilty to a lesser charge in connection with a Macomb County embezzlement case after agreeing to testify against former county prosecutor Eric Smith, who faces a list of corruption charges.
Eastpointe High School student charged as adult in alleged stabbing of classmate
MOUNT CLEMENS, MI -- A 15-year-old student from Eastpoint High School has been charged as an adult after they allegedly stabbed another student last week at the school. The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office announced Wednesday it has authorized an adult warrant against the teen for a charge of assault with intent to murder. The charges stem from a June 1 incident at the schools where the suspect allegedly stabbed another student multiple times before fleeing the school and being chased down by police. The victim in the case reportedly suffered non-life threatening injuries in the stabbing and is expected to recover. The victim and the teen accused of stabbing him were acquainted with one another according to police.
mlive.comCourt Ends Fees, Fines For Youth In Criminal Justice System
Macomb County Circuit Court no longer will require families of young people going through the criminal justice system to provide reimbursement for detention, housing in residential facilities, court-appointed attorney costs, and probation.
detroit.cbslocal.com17-year-old Detroit man accused of causing fatal crash in stolen car charged with murder
MOUNT CLEMENS, MI – A 17-year-old Detroit man accused of causing a fatal crash in a stolen vehicle has been charged with murder. The unnamed defendant is accused of traveling at a high rate of speed in a stolen Jeep southbound on Van Dyke Street last week before causing a fatal, three car crash near 15 Mile Road in Sterling Heights. Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido has charged the defendant with felony murder, second degree murder and first and second degree fleeing a police officer. “Our County is grieving the tragic death of a young woman,” Lucido said in a statement. Lucido noted that other people could be charged in connection to the incident as the multi-jurisdictional investigation continues.
mlive.comCounty Testing Of Sewage Samples Show Rise In Virus Presence
MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. (AP) — A sampling of sanitary sewage in one southeastern Michigan county has shown an increase in the presence of COVID-19. Sewage samples pulled from sites across Clinton Township show the rate of actual infection is higher than numbers currently reported by state health officials, the Macomb County Public Works office said Tuesday. Positive virus tests for Macomb County residents have increased 125% over the past 14 days, the office added. Macomb County has reported more than 60,000 virus cases and 1,880 deaths since the start of the pandemic. “Testing shows the trend line of what’s coming about a week before,” Macomb Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller said.
detroit.cbslocal.com2 Metro Detroit men arrested in connection with deadly attack on US Capitol
MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – Two more Michigan men were charged Thursday after photos and other evidence showed they were at the deadly Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. The FBI said Robert “Bobby” Schornak and Daniel Herendeen -- both from Macomb County -- traveled to Washington in support of President Donald Trump and got inside the U.S. Capitol Building. A Roseville mother had a feeling when the FBI raided a home on Commonwealth Street she knew why. Her gut told her it was to go after someone involved in the deadly siege on the U.S. Capitol Building. They said a friend of Herendeen tipped them off and they found Facebook Messenger plans were made by both men.
Macomb County opens COVID vaccinations to people 16+ with medical conditions
MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel said the county is ready and not playing any games when it comes to giving out the vaccines. READ: Macomb County Health Department expands eligibility for COVID-19 vaccineThat’s why they’re expanding the list of people who can get the vaccines in Macomb County. Starting Saturday, anybody 16 or older with disabilities can call and set up and appointment. “Basically, what we did was decided that these people with disabilities and other family or caregivers and even their guardians at times have an opportunity to go ahead and sign up for the vaccine,” Hackel said. Ad“Our biggest concern was making sure that we took care of our seniors first and I tell you, we’re over 100,000 seniors here in Macomb County,” said Hackel.
Macomb County prosecutor calls for committee to review nursing home deaths
MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – Macomb County prosecutor and former Michigan House Rep. Pete Lucido said his office is flooded with calls from families who said their perfectly-health loved-ones died in nursing homes. READ: Michigan AG looks into requests to investigate state nursing home policyHe said they’ve told him they are unable to get any answers from nursing homes or from the state about what has happened. Some believe their deaths may have been connected to a nursing home policy put in place by Gov. Initially, patients who tested positive for COVID were placed in the same facility with patients who did not have COVID. The report, released by the Center for Health and Research Transformation (CHRT), evaluated the state’s regional nursing home hub strategy, comparing the approach to outcomes in other states.
Police bodycam footage captures rescue at apartment fire in Mt. Clemens
MOUNT CLEMENS, MI -- A fire at a 22-unit apartment building in Mount Clemens Saturday night sent several people to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries, however all people living in the building have been accounted for. That’s in part because of the work of deputies with the Macomb County Sheriff Office whose body camera footage shows them entering the burning building and helping tenants escape before it was too late. The footage shared on the department’s Facebook page picks up with deputies arriving on scene and assisting people who were jumping from their second story window. Another portion of the video shows emergency workers helping a woman who jumped out of her apartment and suffered a leg injury. A second portion of the video shows a different deputy entering the building and going door-to-door looking for people still inside.
mlive.com2 men charged after allegedly firing nearly 40 rounds in shooting deaths of young women
CLINTON TOWNSHIP, MI – Two men are facing possible life in prison related to the shooting deaths of two teens. Both men are charged with two counts of first-degree premeditated murder, punishable by life in prison without parole; and two counts of felony firearms, punishable by imprisonment for two to 10 years. Banks is also charged with one count of firearms larceny, punishable by up to 5 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $2,500. The victims and suspects knew each other, but the nature of those relationships has not been released. Banks and Davenport are scheduled for probable cause hearings at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 8, according to court records.
mlive.comCOVID-19 sweeps through Macomb County Jail, infecting more than a quarter of inmates
click to enlarge Macomb CountyMacomb County Jail in Mount Clemens. The coronavirus has infected more than a quarter of Macomb County Jail’s 550 inmates, prompting the Sheriff’s Office to administer rapid tests to every new inmate entering lockup.At least 30 jail employees have also tested positive for COVID-19.The outbreak occurred on two floors of the jail in Mount Clemens. Wickersham says the jail only had five COVID-19 cases between March and the end of October.The 1,438-bed jail is far below capacity after hundreds of inmates were released as a preventive measure during the pandemic.Since March, Wickersham says all new inmates have been quarantined for 14 days. In other jails around the country, health officials believe employees are unwittingly bringing the virus into the facilities.In Michigan-run jails, nearly 14,000 inmates have tested positive for COVID-19 and 89 have died. An additional 1,981 jail employees have tested positive and three have died.
metrotimes.comFamily-Friendly New Years Eve Fun in Macomb County
Ring in 2020 with your kids with some family-friendly New Year's Eve fun in Macomb County. If youre looking for something to do with your kiddos prior to the big ball drop, browse this list of family-friendly New Years Eve fun in Macomb County to plan for familys outing to ring in 2020. Address: The Discovery Center, 70 Macomb Place, Mount ClemensTime: 4-9 p.m. Play laser tag with specialty game modes, get party favors and special prizes and watch the ball drop at midnight. For more information on happenings in Macomb County, visit the Make Macomb Your Home website.
metroparent.com