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Jan 2011
Dec 2010
Nov 2010
Oct 2010
Update
11/12/2010
Preliminary Examination on Homicide
(click here for
original report)
Incident Number: 8207-10
Preliminary Examination for John Roy Bartley on the below charges
was held today at 1:00 PM in 7th District Court, Paw Paw, Honorable
Judge Robert Hentchel presiding.
Bartley was bound over into Circuit Court on all counts
by Judge Hentchel. His arraignment date in Circuit Court will be November 22,
2010. Bond was continued.
Update
11-1-2010
Incident type:
Vehicular Homicide.
Date & Time: October
30, 2010 at approximately 10:45 pm.
Suspect: John Roy Bartley, 26 years old,
Lawton, MI.
Deceased: Joseph
Richard Shoyrer, 27 years old, Paw Paw
Information: Suspect
was arraigned in 7th District Court East on the following charges:
1) Homicide Murder 1st Degree
Premeditated
2) Homicide Manslaughter with a Motor
Vehicle
3) Accident – Failure to stop at scene of
serious personal injury accident
4) Habitual Offender
Bond was set at $500,000 cash.
Preliminary examination set in 7th District Court East on November 12, 2010 at
10:00 AM
See penalties for these
charges below. Photo is from the OTIS website, which is his prison
photo. The suspect is also being held on a Parole Detainer from the Michigan
Department of Corrections. Please also know that the Department of Corrections
has his name on their website as John Ray Bartley, but the middle name of Roy is
correct, not Ray.
750.316 First degree murder;
penalty; definitions.
Sec.
316.
(1) A person who commits any of the following is guilty of first degree murder
and shall be punished by imprisonment for life:
(a)
Murder perpetrated by means of poison, lying in wait, or any other willful,
deliberate, and premeditated killing.
HOMICIDE - MANSLAUGHTER WITH
MOTOR VEHICLE
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FELONY: |
15 Years and/or $7,500.00; reimburse government for emergency
response and expenses for prosecuting defendant (see MCL 769.1f); SOS to
revoke driver's license; a defendant may be convicted for each death arising
out of the same transaction and the court may order consecutive sentencing.
MCL 769.36. |
257.617
Accident resulting in serious impairment of body function or death; stopping
required; reporting to police agency or officer; violation as felony; penalty.
Sec. 617.
(1) The driver of a vehicle who knows or who has reason to believe that he or
she has been involved in an accident upon public or private property that is
open to travel by the public shall immediately stop his or her vehicle at the
scene of the accident and shall remain there until the requirements of section
619 are fulfilled or immediately report the accident to the nearest or most
convenient police agency or officer to fulfill the requirements of section
619(a) and (b) if there is a reasonable and honest belief that remaining at
the scene will result in further harm. The stop shall be made without
obstructing traffic more than is necessary.
(2) Except
as provided in subsection (3), if the individual violates subsection (1) and
the accident results in serious impairment of a body function or death, the
individual is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than
5 years or by a fine of not more than $5,000.00, or both.
(3) If the individual violates subsection (1) following an accident caused by
that individual and the accident results in the death of another individual,
the individual is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more
than 15 years or a fine of not more than $10,000.00, or both.
769.10
Punishment for subsequent felony; sentence imposed for term of years
considered indeterminate sentence; use of conviction to enhance sentence
prohibited.
Sec. 10.
(1) If a person has been convicted of a felony or an attempt to commit a
felony, whether the conviction occurred in this state or would have been for a
felony or attempt to commit a felony in this state if obtained in this state,
and that person commits a subsequent felony within this state, the person
shall be punished upon conviction of the subsequent felony and sentencing
under section 13 of this chapter as follows:
(a) If the
subsequent felony is punishable upon a first conviction by imprisonment for a
term less than life, the court, except as otherwise provided in this section
or section 1 of chapter XI, may place the person on probation or sentence the
person to imprisonment for a maximum term that is not more than 1-1/2 times
the longest term prescribed for a first conviction of that offense or for a
lesser term.
Incident Number: 8207-10 (Original
Report)
Incident type:
Vehicular Homicide.
Date & Time: October
30, 2010 at approximately 10:45 pm.
Location of Incident:
Frosty Acres, Porter Township.
Vehicle information #1:
1999 Ford Mustang.
Driver : 26 year old
Lawton Man.
Deceased: 27 year old
Paw Paw man. Name being withheld pending contact with all family members.
Drugs or Alcohol Involved:
Possibly alcohol use is being investigated.
Information:
Sheriff Dale R. Gribler reports that Van Buren County Sheriff deputies were
called to a fight in Frosty Acres at approximately 10:45 PM.
Upon arrival, they located a subject that was laying
off the road and appeared to have been struck by a vehicle. Upon investigation,
it was revealed by witnesses that the two subjects (the deceased, and the
driver) had been in a fight, which led to be asked to leave the premises. Once
separated, the deceased fled the road on foot, while the other got into a
vehicle, leaving at a very high rate of speed, and subsequently preliminarily
struck the deceased, killing him. The suspect driver was located and, with the
assistance of the Van Buren County Emergency Services Unit, apprehended the
suspect.
The suspect was lodged in the Van Buren County Jail
pending authorization by the Prosecutor’s Office for homicide, and then
arraignment. The incident continues to remain under investigation.
Investigating Officers:
Deputy Jim Charon, Deputy Kyle Romeo, Deputy Loren Taren, and Deputy Rich
Rennhack.
Assisting Agencies: Van Buren
County Emergency Services Unit, Van Buren County Criminal Investigative Unit,
Van Buren County Medical Examiners Office, VBEMS, and Van Buren County Victim
Advocates Unit, Van Buren County K-9 Unit, Lawton Police Department.
Supervisor/Contact:
D/Lt. William Lux (269) 657-7711 Ext. 3993,
email.
Sep 2010 Aug
2010 Jul 2010
Jun 2010
Incident No:: 4531-10
Nature of Incident:
Operating while Intoxicated – Boating
Date and Time:
Friday, June 25, 2010 at approximately 11:15 pm
Location: Gravel
Lake in Porter Township
Boat Operator-Suspect:
18 year old male from New Lenox, IL. (Name to be
released after arraignment)
Datamaster:
.10 Blood Alcohol Content
Passengers:
There were 6 additional passengers on the vessel.
Vehicle Information:
2003 Mastercraft pleasure boat
Information:
Sheriff Dale R. Gribler reports that the Van Buren County
Sheriff’s Marine Division was on patrol on Gravel Lake in Porter Township
on Friday, June 25th, 2010 at approximately 11:15 pm.
Marine Deputies made contact with the boat
operator while he was operating a pleasure boat with six additional
passengers in the late evening hours on Gravel Lake. Marine Deputies
found the boat operator to be under the influence of alcohol. The boat
and passengers were safely taken to their dock.
The boat operator was subsequently arrested for
Operating While Intoxicated and lodged at the Van Buren County Jail
pending arraignment. The investigation has been turned over to the Van
Buren County Prosecutor’s Office.
Investigating Deputies: Marine Deputies Nathan Penning and Daryl McLeese,
Uniform Response Deputy
Mark Stickels.
Supervisor Contact: On Duty Sergeant (269) 657-3101
May 2010
Incident #:
3742-10
Nature of Incident:
Boating Accident
Date & Time:
Sunday May 30,
2010 at approximately 7:39 pm
Location:
Bankson Lake, Porter
Township
Boat Operator #1: 17 year old,
white male from Lawton, MI
Watercraft Involved: 1978
Sunkist Jet Boat, minor damage
Victims:
#1:
17 year old, white
female from Lawton, MI
#2:
16 year old, white female from Lawton,
MI
Alcohol: Not a factor in the accident.
Information:
Sheriff Dale R. Gribler reports that Marine Deputies were
dispatched to Bronson Lakeview Hospital for a boating accident that
occurred
on Bankson Lake.
Upon arrival at the hospital, Marine Deputies made contact
with the boat operator. Operator #1 stated he was attempting to start the
boat after refueling. Victim #1 & Victim #2 were seated in the rear seats
of the boat. The boat continued to drift away from the dock while the
operator was trying to start the engine. Operator #1 stated the engine then
back-fired sending flames out of the air vents directly towards the victims.
Victims #1 & #2 were taken by a personal vehicle to Bronson Lakeview
Hospital in Paw Paw for treatment for minor burns to their arms, back, and
face.
Investigating Deputies:
Marine Deputies Greg Straka Jr. & Mike Hostetler.
Supervisor Contact: Sgt. Chad Jahr, Marine Division,
(269)
657-3101 Ext. 3995,
email.
Incident No: 3725-10
Nature of Incident:
Operating while Intoxicated – Boating
Date and Time: Saturday, May
29, 2010 at approximately 11:40 pm
Location: Gravel Lake in
Porter Township
Boat Operator - Suspect: 23
year old, Joseph Laski from Lawton MI.
Datamaster: .10 Blood
Alcohol Content.
Passengers: There were 6
additional passengers on the vessel.
Vehicle Information: 2006
Inboard Pleasure boat.
Information:
Sheriff Dale R.
Gribler reports that the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Marine Division was on
patrol on Gravel Lake in Porter Township, on Saturday May 29th, 2010 at
approximately 11:40 pm.
Marine Deputies made contact with Mr. Laski while he
was operating a pleasure boat with six additional passengers in the late
evening hours on Gravel Lake. Marine Deputies found Mr. Laski to be under the
influence of alcohol. Mr. Laski was subsequently arrested for Operating While
Intoxicated and lodged at the Van Buren County Jail pending arraignment. The
boat and passengers were safely taken to their dock.
The investigation has been turned over to the Van Buren
County Prosecutor’s Office.
Investigating Deputies:
Marine Deputy Jason Fisk and
Sgt. Chad Jahr
email.
Supervisor Contact:
On Duty Sergeant (269)
657-3101
Apr 2010
Incident #:
2485-10
Incident Type: Fishing
accident
Date and Time:
April 15,
2010 at 10:00 am
Location: Huzzy
Lake Public access which is located in the 78000 block of CR 652, Porter
Township.
Injured
driver:
73 year old Robert Capone, Paw Paw, sustained back injuries to which he
sought medical treatment on his own.
Vehicle:
2009 Dodge Ram
pickup. Vehicle sustained water damage as it was nearly completely submerged in
the lake.
Information: Sheriff
Dale R. Gribler reports that Van Buren county sheriff deputies along with Lawton
police department responded to the public access of Huzzy lake for a
911 call reporting a vehicle submerged in the water and a person yelling for
help.
Officers on scene noted a 2009 Dodge Ram pickup truck, nearly
submerged under water, and 73 year old Robert Capone completely wet as well.
Information from Capone is that he had backed his boat trailer into the lake,
having stopped his pickup truck to float the boat off the trailer he then began
to exit. Having not placed the vehicle into park, the pickup truck began
traveling backwards pushing Capone into the water. Capone was able to free himself
after going under water. He then got to shore as his pickup floated and
sunk out into the lake. Capone received back injuries as a result of this
incident, which he sought medical treatment on his own.
McDonalds Tow Service
pulled the vehicle out of the water. DNR was notified in relation to this
incident finding, at this time, no water hazard a concern in relation to this
vehicle sinking in the lake.
Investigating
officer:
Sergeant David
Walker, Deputy Tony Evans, Uniform Response Division.
Assisting agency: Lawton
Police
Department
Supervisor contact:
On Duty Sergeant
or Lt William Lux at 269-657-3101,
email
Mar 2010
Feb 2010 Jan 2010
Dec 2009 Nov 2009 Oct 2009 Sep 2009
Incident Type: Car-Semi
Tanker Crash.
Date and Time: September
18, 2009 at
approximately 2:10 p.m.
Location: 72000
block of M-40 Hwy, Lawton, in Porter Township.
Incident Number: 7245-09.
Vehicle #1:
1996 Ford Crown Vic. driven by Bruno Mroczek. Sustained passenger side damage.
Driver #1- Injuries: Bruno Mroczek, 80 year old
male from Decatur. Mroczek received no injuries.
Vehicle #2:
2000 Kenworth and Tanker driven by Michael Caudill.
Sustained multiple damage.
Driver #2-Injuries: Michael Caudill, 35 year
old male from Tekonsha, Michigan. Received no injuries.
Information: Sheriff Dale R.
Gribler reports that Van Buren county sheriff deputies, and additional emergency
personnel, were dispatched to a semi-tanker and motor vehicle crash on M-40 near
72nd avenue.
Deputies on scene discovered that no one was injured in
this crash. Deputies investigation into this crash found that the vehicle,
driven by Mroczek, was west bound 72nd Avenue, crossing M-40 highway. This
driver did not see the semi hauling a fully loaded tanker south bound M-40.
The semi could not avoid striking the Ford Crown Victoria passenger car causing
the two to crash. The semi trucks tanker, which was full of milk, overturned,
broke from the semi unit, and began spilling numerous gallons of milk onto the
roadway. The semi tractor unit driver unable to maintain control, went off the
road and struck a tree.
Traffic on M-40 highway in this area had to be detoured
for several hours as the tanker had to be pumped out into another unit and be
put back onto its wheels and towed away.
Driver of the car, Bruno Mroczek, was found at fault in
this crash.
Assisting Agencies: The
Lawton Fire Department, Van Buren Emergency Medical Services, Lawton Quick
Response, and the Lawton Police Department assisted in this crash.
Investigating Officers: K9
Deputy Tony Evans and Deputy Tom Coles.
Supervisor Contact: On
duty Sergeant or Lt. Lux at 269-657-3101.
Incident Number:
6723-09 update
Sheriff Dale R. Gribler reports that Deputies this date have continued
the investigation into the crash on 72nd avenue east of 28th
street. The investigation as of this time does not show alcohol to be a
factor. The passenger, 19 year old Joshua Warr-Morgan is still listed in
serious condition at Bronson hospital in Kalamazoo. The driver identified as
18 year old Zachariah Goodenough from Lawton was treated and released from
Bronson hospital as well and is at home resting from injuries he sustained in
this crash. Speed does still show a factor in this crash which continues to
be investigated.
Incident Type:
Personal Injury Crash.
Date and Time: September
2, 2009 at 1:14 a.m.
Location: 72nd Ave and
28th St., Porter Twp.
Incident Number:
6723-09
Driver: 18 year old
male from Lawton (name withheld pending prosecutors office review on this crash
investigation).
Passenger: 19 year old
Joshua Warr-Morgan.
Drivers Injuries: The
driver had injuries to his head and his lower body. Driver was listed in serious
condition.
Passenger Injuries: The
passenger had serious injuries to his head and was listed in critical condition.
Vehicle: 1994 Ford
Escort.
Alcohol:
Alcohol is believed to be a factor in this crash.
Information:
Sheriff Dale Gribler reports that Deputies responded to a crash in the 27000
block of 72nd Ave.
The Lawton Police Department arrived on scene prior
to Deputies' arrival and noticed a young male calling for help. The young male
was found to be the driver of the vehicle and severely injured. The driver
advised Deputies that his friend desperately needed help. The passenger was
found laying unconscious on the roadside a short distance from the crash scene.
Lawton Quick Response arrived on scene, along
with VBEMS, and transported the two victims to the hospital.
The investigation revealed that the vehicle struck a
tree while traveling westbound on 72nd Ave. The car was ripped in half and both
the driver and the passenger were ejected from the vehicle. Speed and alcohol
appear to be possible factors resulting in this traffic crash.
Investigating Officer:
Deputy Davis, Ext. 835
Assisting Officers:
Deputy Greg Pentland, Deputy Travis Bernatche
Supervisor Contact: On
duty Sergeant or Lt William Lux at 269-657-3101.
Aug 2009
Jul 2009
Jun 2009
Incident Type:
Domestic Violence Assault, Manufacture-Possession of Marijuana.
Date and Time:
June 26, 2009
at 11:18 PM.
Location: 27177
Hayne Rd. in Porter Township.
Incident #:
4746-09.
Suspect: Kevin
Randall Verhage, 49 years old from Lawton.
Victim: Gabrielle
Lynn Jordan, 29 years old from Lawton.
Information: Sheriff
Dale R. Gribler reports that Deputies were dispatched to Hayne Rd. in Porter
Township for a domestic assault. Upon arrival on scene, Deputies located a 49
year old male and a 29 year old female that had been involved in a domestic
assault. Upon further investigation, Deputies determined that
a domestic violence assault had occurred and
the suspect, Verhage, was subsequently placed under arrest.
It was then learned,
that both of the subjects had outstanding warrants for their arrest, Kevin’s
warrant was a Friend of the Court warrant and Gabrielle had two Misdemeanor
warrants one out of Kalamazoo Public Safety and one out of Richland PD. There
was also one additional subject at the scene and, upon questioning him for
information in regards to the assault that had occurred, Deputies noted a strong
odor of marijuana plants or material. Deputies then discovered a flat bed truck
parked near the investigation scene and it contained approximately 60 potted
marijuana plants with growing apparatus lighting. The suspect was later
interrogated in reference to the marijuana plants.
Following the interrogation,
the Van Buren Narcotics Unit obtained a search warrant for further investigation
of the residence and the buildings within the scene. Deputies then executed the
search warrant and additional materials and growing apparatus were located
within the spectrum of the search warrant boundaries. The third unnamed subject
may be involved and further investigation into the incident will continue.
Investigating Deputies:
Sergeant Harvey, Deputy Stickels, Deputy Pentland,
Narcotics Detective Sergeant Dietz, Detective Perkins.
Assisting Agency:
Lawton Police Department.
Sergeant Dennis Harvey
Uniform Response Division
Van Buren County Sheriff's Office
205 S. Kalamazoo St.
Paw Paw, MI 49079
Telephone: (269) 657-3101 ext. 811
Click here to email
Sergeant Harvey
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