ROSCOMMON COUNTY

ROSCOMMON, MI — Winter weather has been hit and miss throughout the state, making for unstable ice conditions in some areas, including in Roscommon County, where emergency officials responded to a call regarding an ORV that had gone through the ice on Houghton Lake. First responders in Roscommon County responded to the call Saturday, Jan. 21. In a post on social media, the Roscommon County Sheriff’s Office wrote that the open water looked “almost like a river running through the ice.”The Roscommon sheriff urged the public to stay off the ice as the weather continues to be mild and ice conditions continue to deteriorate. While weather conditions are not ideal for activity on the ice at the moment, there is a chance for winter weather towards the end of the month. If ice conditions improve, it is still important to practice ice safety.

BAY CITY, MI — A Roscommon County man who sent incriminating images of himself sexually abusing a child to an undercover federal agent is to serve nearly 20 years in prison. Townsend sent the video and three photos to an FBI agent who was operating out of Washington, D.C. The agent sent a private message to this user, which Townsend replied to with the illicit images. The images showed tattoos on the abusing adult’s arms and hands, tattoos that matched Townsend’s as seen on his Facebook account. Read more:Man linked by tattoos to child porn images sent to FBI agent pleads to federal felonyMichigan man filmed himself abusing child, sent images to undercover FBI agent, reports state

HOUGHTON LAKE, MI — Following a string of bizarre crimes over several days, a Roscommon County man allegedly barricaded himself in his home and engaged in a five-hour standoff with police. The suspect then removed and destroyed three lightbulbs from the victim’s property, troopers alleged. Troopers arrested him and lodged him in the Roscommon County Jail. On searching the property, troopers did not find any weapons. The man’s name is being withheld pending arraignment in Roscommon County District Court.

Studies show phone contact reduces recidivism and has a positive impact on children with an incarcerated parent

Officials said they found methamphetamine in the purse of a Michigan mother who is suspected of driving drunk with her two children in the car.

Cassandra Elizabeth Durham was staying with her boyfriend’s grandfather near Roscommon, Michigan when she vanished.

BAY CITY, MI — Almost a year to the day after he sent incriminating photos of himself sexually abusing a child to an undercover FBI agent, a Roscommon County man has pleaded guilty to the crime in federal court. Townsend sent the video and three photos to an FBI agent who was operating out of Washington, D.C. The agent sent a private message to this user, which Townsend replied to with the illicit images. The images showed tattoos on the abusing adult’s arms and hands, tattoos that matched Townsend’s as seen on his Facebook account. Through these, they identified Townsend as the suspected Kik user who sent the illegal images.

HOUGHTON LAKE, MI — In the days leading up the deaths of her family in an apparent murder-suicide, a Roscommon County woman asked a court to protect her from her husband. Ominously in retrospect, she wrote she was concerned over her husband having recently bought a gun. When the court denied her request, she filed for divorce, writing she believed her spouse was a danger to herself and her son.

Authorities are investigating the shooting deaths of four members of a mid-Michigan family as a murder-suicide.

HOUGHTON LAKE, MI — An apparent murder-suicide in Roscommon County has claimed the lives of four people, including a 13-year-old boy. About 3:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 10, sheriff’s deputies responded to a Houghton Lake residence after two people reported they had found four bodies inside. Deputies did not confirm who among the four dead killed the other three. “Roscommon County contains wonderful, close-knit communities who rally around those who are struggling and in need. Read more:Saginaw County woman accused of drunkenly killing boyfriend with car likely to face murder chargeMan killed in shooting outside Buena Vista Township barSeparate crashes in Huron County claim lives of Snover woman, Marlette man

ROSCOMMON COUNTY, MI -- A St. Helen man has been charged with multiple felonies after being caught allegedly trying to solicit a minor online, according to the Michigan State Police. On Wednesday, June 22, troopers from the Michigan State Police Strike Team Investigative Narcotic Group (STING) arrested a 60-year-old man following an investigation in which the man was trying to solicit a minor online in exchange for narcotics, police said. STING was assisted by the Roscommon County Sheriff’s Office and Richfield Township Police Department. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children provides a comprehensive list of resources on its website at www.missingkids.org. The ICAC Task Force also provides resources at www.michiganicac.com.

Michigan State Police has expanded an ongoing investigation into whether a third party gained unauthorized access to voting equipment data after the 2020 election. Michigan State Police spokesperson Lt. Derrick Carroll confirmed that the state is still investigating the initial report from Roscommon County. Carroll said the investigation has nothing to do with the results of the November 2020 election. The state is investigating whether a third party had access to election data after the presidential election took place, he said. Irving Township Supervisor Jamie Knight confirmed that state police seized the township’s voting tabulator pursuant to a search warrant on April 29.

ROSCOMMON COUNTY, MI—Ghost, a police K9 with the Roscommon County Sheriff’s Office that helped rescue a man from freezing Northern Michigan woods in January, has died, the department said. The dog died unexpectedly overnight from a medical issue, the sheriff’s office announced on Facebook Thursday, March 10. “As the Sheriff’s Office mourns this loss, it is with a heavy heart that we bring news of the passing of K9 Ghost,” the sheriff’s office said in its post. Ghost and Darsow tracked the man through thick woods before finding him. Read more on MLive:Lapeer County Sheriff’s deputies injured in shootout now recovering at home, police sayFlint man accused of trafficking 15-year-old girl to get competency evaluationJury finds Flint man guilty in 2020 stabbing death of roommate

ROSCOMMON COUNTY, MI – A vulnerable adult was using nickels and dimes to pay for groceries while her conservator allegedly withdrew nearly $9,000 from her bank account and used the funds for things like lottery tickets, police said. The Michigan State Police Houghton Lake Post was contacted in December to investigate embezzlement from a vulnerable adult by her conservator. The victim told the new conservator that she had been paying for groceries with nickels and dimes since July. An arrest warrant was issued, and Lovely was arrested and lodged in the Roscommon County Jail. Lovely was arraigned Thursday, Feb. 17, in the 82nd District Court in Roscommon County on one count of embezzlement from vulnerable adult, over $1,000 but less than $20,000.

ROSCOMMON COUNTY, MI – A Michigan man suspected of domestic violence was arrested after he failed to escape police on a snowmobile. The suspect, a 52-year-old Roscommon man, was contacted by phone after the victim fled the house. Shortly after police arrived, the suspect fled the home riding a snowmobile. The suspect was lodged in the Roscommon County Jail on preliminary charges of domestic violence, felonious assault and felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. Troopers were assisted at the scene by the Roscommon County Sheriff’s Office and Gerrish Township Police Department.

ROSCOMMON COUNTY, MI – A man wanted on a 68-count criminal sexual conduct warrant in Kentucky has been arrested in Michigan. The victim currently resides in Mississippi, but the incidents occurred in Kentucky, police said. The 70-year-old Houghton Lake man was arrested at approximately 9:30 a.m. on Thursday. The suspect, a former resident of Kentucky, was lodged in the Roscommon County Jail and is awaiting extradition to Kentucky. The Campbellsville Police Department in Kentucky also assisted with the investigation.

A Roscommon County man’s decision to keep playing the same set of numbers paid off when he won an $18.41 million Lotto 47 jackpot from the Michigan Lottery.

LANSING, MI -- A Roscommon County man who’s played the same set of numbers for three decades won a $18.41 million Lotto 47 jackpot recently with his lucky digits. “I have been playing this set of numbers since 1991 and have rarely missed a drawing,” said the player. When I recognized the set of numbers, I checked my ticket over at least a dozen times. “I am so glad I decided to stick with this set of numbers!”For the latest on Michigan Lottery, check out the official Michigan Lottery site, which also offers more information on instant tickets, raffles and other lottery games. The last players from Michigan to win a Mega Millions or Powerball jackpot is the Wolverine FLL lottery club which claimed a $1.05 billion jackpot in March.

The Michigan Lottery says a winning lottery ticket worth $18.41 million was sold in Roscommon County.

The National Weather Service has confirmed a weak tornado touched down in Roscommon County on Wednesday afternoon.

A Michigan man will serve more than two decades in prison after pleading guilty to sex crimes involving pre-teen boys, authorities said.

RICHFIELD TWP, MI — A Roscommon County mother is facing child abuse charges for allegedly kicking her children out of her home so she could host a party. The teen told troopers his mother, identified as 34-year-old Amber M. Maldonado, had kicked him and his sister out of the house for the night so she could have a party. Maldonado told troopers she had indeed been having a party and had gotten into an argument with her kids when they returned home early. Troopers arrested Maldonado and lodged her in the Roscommon County Jail. Maldonado on Monday, April 19, was arraigned in the Roscommon County District Court on two counts of third-degree child abuse, a two-year felony.

LANSING, MI — A Roscommon County man pleaded guilty to child sex crime charges in Shiawassee County. Detectives determined a child sexually abusive video on Clune’s phone was created in Shiawassee County. He was previously convicted of two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct in Wayne County in 2004. Michigan State Police executed a search warrant on Clune’s residence in Houghton Lake and found electronic devices which led to charges of child sexually abusive activity. Troopers secured additional evidence to support the first-degree criminal sexual conduct charge.

ROSCOMMON COUNTY, MI -- A call about a vehicle dragging a gas pump hose on U.S. 127 near Houghton Lake led police in Northern Michigan to a meth discovery. Trooper made a traffic stop and soon discovered meth on both the driver and inside the vehicle. Upon making the stop, police asked the driver, a 42-year-old Gladwin man, if he forgot anything at the gas station. Both were taken to the Roscommon County Jail. Police said they returned the gas hose and pump handle to the gas station where it broke off a pump.

PRUDENVILLE, MI – A large structure fire broke out at a Northern Michigan lumberyard on Tuesday morning, Nov. 24. Denton Township Fire Department and Michigan State Police Houghton Lake Post responded around 8 a.m. to the fire at Penney’s Lumber on M-18 in Prudenville, Roscommon County, MSP said in a news release. The fire had already spread from the lumberyard to the neighboring trailer park. Michigan State Police troopers assist at the scene of a large structure fire at Penney's Lumberyard on Tuesday morning, Nov. 24, on M-18 in Prudenville, Roscommon County.Michigan State PoliceCrew are still working at the scene. READ MORE:Michigan man accused of kidnapping Texas girl for sexual purposesNorthern Michigan county board ‘supports impeachment’ of Gov.

GERRISH TOWNSHIP, Mich. – One motorcyclist was killed and another was injured following two separate crashes believed to be caused by a fallen tree blocking the road. Michigan State Police say at about 2:50 p.m. on Tuesday officers responded to a motorcycle injury on County Road 104 near Leafy Lane. A photo of the site along County Road 104 in Gerrish Township following two separate motorcycle crashes that occurred on June 30, 2020. Photo provided by the Michigan State Police. (Michigan State Police)MORE: Michigan News

HOUGHTON LAKE, Mich. Northern Michigan got the green light to reopen Friday, and we took a firsthand look inside a popular bar and several other businesses. Local 4s Rod Meloni checked out a popular restaurant and bar in Prudenville and some other businesses in Houghton Lake. Friday was just what the doctor ordered up north, with bright sunshine, 75-degree weather and drinks with umbrellas in them. Servers were wearing masks, but customers didnt have to, as long as they kept their six-foot distance from other groups. Houghton Lake business owners started getting the town back to Memorial Day business as best as they could.

Rod checked out the Frog Tiki Bar just a few minutes west of West Branch. Frog Tiki Bar also offered a glimpse at the challenges businesses will face when they reopen. As the signs went up and the doors started opening, Michiganders said theyre happy to see even a partial reopening. Weve been waiting for this for honestly two months, Frog Tiki Bar Owner Kathy Grover said. Its a big weekend.The bar is one of three tourist businesses Grover owns and runs.

HOUGHTON LAKE, Mich. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Thursday that she is partially reopening businesses and lifting medical restrictions across the entire state. RELATED: VIDEO: Traverse City bars reopen at midnight as loosened restrictions beginMany Michiganders are expected to head up north for Memorial Day Weekend as nearly 20 counties reopen for business Friday. READ: Michigan Gov. "Im going to go fishing and Im not going to do work.The weather cooperated Friday.

ROSCOMMON COUNTY, Mich. – On Sunday at around 12:40 p.m. officers from the Michigan State Police Houghton Lake Post responded to an address on Holly Avenue in Prudenville where a snowmobile had gone through the ice on the East Bay of Houghton Lake. The rider was not injured and refused medical treatment. Shortly after, two more snowmobiles went through the ice about 1,000 feet south of the same area.

Roscommon County, MI (WNEM) A woman allegedly escaped from a residence in northern Michigan on Friday where she claimed she was being forced into prostitution. Troopers from the Michigan State Police post were called about 3 a.m. on Jan. 10 to assist with the alleged human trafficking case. The woman was arrested by deputies from the Roscommon County Sheriffs Office for stealing a vehicle. The woman told investigators she escaped from a residence on Roberta Drive in Crawford County where she was being forced to clean the residence and perform acts of prostitution, MSP said. Jarrell and Kobel were arrested after several law enforcement agencies executed a search warrant at the residence.