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The Macomb County Prosecutor's Office has been very busy since our last newsletter. We initiated much-needed action regarding gun crimes and mental health, our newly-created Conviction Integrity Unit exonerated an innocent man who would have spent decades behind bars, our internship program continues to help us control costs while providing students with courtroom experience and we continue to get fair convictions and conduct jury trials resulting in guilty verdicts.
Our office reorganization and hiring practice resulted in more assistant prosecutors being able to handle more major crimes than ever, providing a “deep bench” of experienced assistant prosecutors. As the Chief Law Enforcement Officer of Macomb County, I am also working in the community to provide children, adults, and seniors with information on how to stop crime and protect themselves.
Sincerely,
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Prosecutor Lucido Seeks Mental Health Evals for Gun Crime Suspects
Gun crime defendants must get a mental health screening before they are given a chance to commit another crime with a gun. At arraignment hearings, Macomb County assistant prosecutors recommend judges to order all felony gun crime arrestees to receive a mental health community assessment as a bond condition. Alcohol and drug screening is regularly done at arraignment. A mental health screening for felony gun defendants is equally important.
This recommendation aims to reduce gun violence in Macomb County. After arraignment, a defendant maybe released on bond, and may not be tried for over a year. This is far too long to allow someone with a mental health issue to go unevaluated and remain untreated. Allowing such a situation to exist puts society at risk. The Macomb County Community Corrections Department and the Macomb County Community Mental Health Department already conduct mental health and community assessments, but the assessment could be done by any qualified mental health professional.
In 2022, we had 308 felony firearm cases and 551 carrying concealed pistol felony cases where this policy would have recommended a mental health screening. Mental health treatment and the reduction of gun crimes is of utmost importance. I fully support providing the appropriate resources for mental health screenings.
Continue Reading...
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Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido with Macomb County Sheriff Anthony M. Wickersham giving a SCAMS presentation to seniors in Washington Twp. | |
Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido visiting Pleasantview Elementary in Eastpointe to discuss threats, violence, weapons and bullying in school | |
Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido discussing SCAMS and Senior Crimes with the Macomb County Probate Bar Association. | |
Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido talking to seniors about Senior SCAMS with the assistance of Macomb County Commissioner Barbara Zinner of St. Clair Shores. | |
Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido speaking at Leadership Macomb Conference at the Clinton Twp. District Court on how the criminal justice system works with Public Defender Thomas J. Tomko, Magistrate Ryan Zemke and District Court Judge Sebastian Lucido. | |
Prosecutor Lucido visited Trinity Utica Lutheran Church with Macomb County Board of Commissioners Sylvia Grot and Don VanSyckel and Utica Mayor Gus Calandrino to discuss SCAMS. | |
Happy 100th Birthday Norman Harris!
Prosecutor Lucido was proud to present a tribute to Mr. Norman Harris who grew up and lived in St. Clair Shores most of his life. Mr. Harris is a World War II veteran who served honorably. He is also an accomplished oil painter, civil war muzzle loader competitive shooter, history buff, and enjoys flying.
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If you would like Prosecutor Lucido to attend a special occasion please contact Outreach Coordinator Heather Esposito at (586) 469-5642 or Heather.Esposito@macombgov.org | |
Spring Senior Expo
Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido sponsored the Spring Senior Expo on Wednesday, April 12, 2024 at the Century Banquet Center in Sterling Heights. The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office provided free informational booklets and answered questions from a large number of attendees.
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Fall Senior Expo - Monday, September 23, 2023 | |
Join the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office at the next Senior Expo on Monday, September 25, 2023 from 9am-12pm at the Palazzo Grande Banquet Center located at 54660 Van Dyke Avenue, Shelby Township, MI 48316. Meet with experts regarding Medicare Coverage, Assisted Living, Mobility Solutions, Independent Living, Veterans Benefits, Senior Travel, Health Insurance, Home Care, Medical Equipment, Hospice Care, Financial Planning, Legal Assistance, Physical Therapy and much more. More Information | |
Prosecutor Lucido speaking to students at Pleasantview Elementary School about the consequences of a juvenile crime | |
Conviction Integrity Unit's First Exoneration | |
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After an extensive investigation and file review by the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU), Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido asked Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Edward Servitto to vacate and dismiss the conviction and sentence of Mack Howell for a 2014 armed robbery. The Prosecutor asked the court to release the 62 year old from the Michigan Department of Corrections after serving 7.5 years of a 25-50 year sentence. New evidence, not found or presented at the time of trial, fatally undermined Mr. Howell’s conviction.
Congratulation Mack Howell on your exoneration! Special thank you to CIU Chief Gail Pamukov, Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido, and David Moran from the University of Michigan Innocence Clinic. More Information
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Job Shadow Day at the Prosecutor's Office | |
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Macomb County Prosecutor's Office hosted a Job Shadowing Day! Macomb County Prosecutor Lucido was honored to have students shadowing assistant prosecuting attorneys. Students headed to court, learned how the office works, and everything assistant prosecuting attorneys do.
Thank you to all who took part and especially Assistant Prosecutors Candis Mann, Christopher Urban, Danielle Strace, Jaqueline Gartin, Aaron Hall, and Fred Bartolomei.
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Macomb County Prosecutor's Office Intern Program | |
Undergraduate interns Maggie Rimer and Diego Perez of Oakland University working in the records room. | |
Assistant Prosecutor Dana Chiamp-Litz and law school intern Amanda Hudson working together on courtroom prep. | |
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More interns means more justice.
Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office’s Internship Program was started after Prosecutor Lucido took office in 2021. Since the Fall of 2021, the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office has had almost 200 interns. Internships are available for undergraduate, graduate and law school students giving them practical experience in the criminal justice system. These unpaid positions have flexible schedules and earn college credits and/or scholarships and grant benefits.
If you are interested in becoming an intern please send a cover letter and resume to Intern Coordinator Martha Maxwell at Martha.Maxwell@macombgov.org or
(586) 469-7175.
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"Team building and helping others while networking has been a positive influence on my learning experience."
-- Intern Dylan Rosso, Macomb Community College
"Observing court proceedings and preparing for arguments reinforced my interest in litigation."
-- Intern Janson Fu, Detroit Mercy Law School
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Address Confidentiality Program Act for Victims | |
The Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) was created to provide certain protections for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, or for those who fear that disclosure of their physical address will increase risk, threat or harm. | |
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This statewide program is expected to be available to the public on May 23, 2023.
More Information
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Resources on Stopping Crime & Victim Rights | |
Update on Peanut the Prosecutor | |
Peanut has continued training with Elizabeth A. and working on his skills in the courtroom and in the office. He is usually in the office 2-3 days a week depending on the schedule and by special appointment for any kids/victims that need some Peanut love. Assistant Prosecutor Mark Laws and his family take care of Peanut. He has adjusted very well at home and he is a member of the family. Mark's three kids love him and he has a best friend who lives 3 doors down named Taco, another Golden Retriever. | |
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Upcoming SCAMS Presentations | | |
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Federazione Abruzzese del Michigan - Clinton Twp.
Tuesday, May 04, 2023 @ 7:00pm
43843 Romeo Plank Road, Clinton Twp., MI 48038
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Ray Township Senior Center
Tuesday, May 09, 2023 @ 12:45pm
64255 Wolcott Rd, Ray, MI 48096
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Elizabeth Lee Dole Manor
Monday, May 15, 2023 @ 2:00pm
42700 Colchester Street, Clinton Twp., MI 48036
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Villa Bella Retirement Community in Clinton Twp.
Tuesday, May 23, 2023 @ 1:00pm
361 Morton St., Romeo, MI 48065
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Romeo Senior Center
Wednesday, May 24, 2023 @ 11:00am
361 Morton St., Romeo, MI 48065
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Waltonwood at Lakeside in Sterling Heights
Friday, May 26, 2023 @ 11:00am
14750 Lakeside Circle, Sterling Heights, MI 48313
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Centerline Library
Thursday, June 1, 2023 @ 3:00pm
7345 Weingartz St., Center Line, MI 48015
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Washington Senior Center
Tuesday, June 5, 2023 @ 11:00am
57880 Van Dyke Ave, Washington, MI 48094
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Man Guilty of First Degree Murder | |
Today, 28 year old Dangelo Hubbard of Detroit was found guilty on all charges in the death of Lisa Marrone from Roseville after a five day jury trial by Assistant Prosecutors Anthony Sorentino and Sian Hengeveld.
On Friday, February 4, 2022, Dangelo Hubbard drove to Lisa Marrone’s residence in a stolen vehicle. He stabbed her over 75 times and inflicted blunt force trauma to her head resulting in her death. The next day Hubbard returned to the victim’s residence and set it on fire.
The jury convicted Dangelo Hubbard of First Degree Premeditated Murder (Life without Parole Felony), Felony Murder (Life without Parole Felony) First Degree Arson (Life Felony) and Receiving and Concealing Stolen Property of a Motor vehicle (5 Year felony.) More Information
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Assistant Prosecutor Anthony Sorentino | |
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Assistant Prosecutor
Cory Newman
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Guilty in First Degree Murder Case | |
Macomb County Assistant Prosecutor Cory Newman conducted a five day jury trial and on Friday, April 4, 2023 a Macomb County jury convicted Jerel McCrary, 32 years old, of Roseville on all charges.
On Friday, March 25, 2022, Jerel McCrary sent a text to his ex-fiance threatening to kill everyone she knows. Then he went to her mother’s home and video-called her. McCrary shot and killed her Mother Cedic Fields, and Uncle Kenny Burks, while on the call. McCrary was charged with two counts of First Degree Murder (Life without Parole,) and two counts of Felony Firearm (Two Year Felony.) More Information
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Father Guilty of Criminal Sexual Conduct | Macomb County Assistant Prosecutor Elizabeth Rittinger conducted a four day jury trial on Friday, March 31, 2023, a Macomb County jury convicted Matthew Benoit, 45 years old, of Clinton Township on all charges. Matthew Benoit Sr. sexually assaulted his son at ages seven and 14. The jury convicted Benoit of Criminal Sexual Conduct in the First Degree with a child who was at least 13 years old but less than 16 years old and the defendant related to the victim (Life Felony,) and two counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct with a person under 13 years old and defendant over 17 years old (Life Felony, mandatory minimum 25 years.) More Information | |
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Assistant Prosecutor
Elizabeth Rittinger
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Assistant Prosecutor
Lisa Lozen
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Guilty on All Charges in Criminal Sexual Conduct Case
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On March 28, 2023, a Macomb County jury convicted Shannon Jones, a 45 year old man from Roseville, on all eight counts in a criminal sexual conduct case after a four day jury trial conducted by Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys, Molly Zappitell and Lisa Lozen.
From September 2018 - December 2018, Shannon Jones lived with the victim’s mother. During that time, the defendant sexually assaulted two minor girls, ages six and eight.
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The Macomb County jury convicted Jones in 35 minutes of five counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct in the First Degree with Person under Thirteen, Defendant over Seventeen (25 Year Mandatory Minimum, up to Life Felony,) two counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct in the Second Degree Person under Thirteen, Defendant over Seventeen (15 Year Felony,) and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor (93-Day Misdemeanor.) More Information | |
Guilty Verdict in Carjacking Case | |
On March 24, 2023, a Macomb County jury convicted 20 year old Rayshawn Cole-Spraggins of Detroit with carjacking after a four day jury trial by Assistant Prosecutor Megan McKeon.
On November 27, 2021, Rayshawn Cole-Spraggins carjacked a man at gunpoint in the parking lot of a Walmart in Roseville. Cole-Spraggins was found guilty of Carjacking (Life Felony,) Armed Robbery (Life Felony,) and two counts of Felony Firearm (2 Year Mandatory Felony.) More Information
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Assistant Prosecutor
Megan McKeon
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Assistant Prosecutor
Steve Fox
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A Macomb County jury convicted Jason Brilla, 35 years old, of Clinton Township on all charges on March 24, 2023 after a jury trial by Assistant Prosecutor Steve Fox.
On May 2, 2022, Warren Police Officers attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Jason Brilla. Brilla fled at a high rate of speed with a passenger in the car. After running a red light, Brilla crashed into another vehicle. The passenger of Brilla’s vehicle, Jennel Castro, was transported to the hospital with life threatening injuries and was later pronounced dead.
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The jury convicted Brilla of Murder in the Second Degree (Life Felony) for killing his vehicle passenger, Jennel Castro, Fleeing a Police Officer in the First Degree (15 Year Felony,) Operating a Motor Vehicle on Suspended License causing Death (15 Year Felony) and Assaulting/Resisting/Obstructing a Police Officer (2 Year Felony.) More information | |
Guilty on All Eight Charges in Criminal Sexual Conduct Case | |
On March 23, 2023, a Macomb County jury took just 40 minutes to convict Charles Wayne Francisco of all eight charges after a four day jury trial by Assistant Prosecutor Mark Laws in a Criminal Sexual Conduct case involving a victim he assaulted over a five year period.
The victim was sexually and physically assaulted by her mother’s boyfriend from the time she was six years old until she was 11. The defendant was found guilty of three counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct First Degree with a victim under 13, defendant 17 or older (Life Felony,) Criminal Sexual Conduct Second Degree with a victim under 13 years old (15 Year Felony,) Absconding (Four Year Felony,) Tampering with an electronic monitoring device (Two Year Felony,) Aggravated Indecent Exposure (Two Year High Court Misdemeanor,) and Domestic Violence (93 day Misdemeanor.)
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Assistant Prosecutor
Mark Laws
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The defendant was previously convicted in 2004 of Attempted Criminal Sexual Conduct in the Third Degree. Francisco is a habitual fourth offender and is facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years in the Macomb Department of Corrections and a mandatory lifetime tether. More Information | |
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Assistant Prosecutor
Anthony Servitto
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Jury Returns Guilty Verdicts on First Degree Murder Double Death Homicides
On March 15, 2023, Dajuan Davenport and Darrell Banks were found guilty on all counts in the murder of two women on January 22, 2021. Both men shot and killed Dazhane Jasmine Holloway, 19 years old, and Dionna Janae Davis, 18 years old, both residents of Clinton Township. Dajuan Davenport and Darrell Banks were both charged with two counts of Murder in the First Degree (Life Without Parole,) and two counts of Felony Firearm (2 Year Mandatory Felony.)
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Macomb County Assistant Prosecutors Tony Servitto and Jurij Fedorak conducted the six day jury trial in front of Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Gatti with the jury returning with a guilty verdict on all charges. More Information | |
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Man Arraigned in Road Rage Incident in Warren
It is alleged that on Saturday, April 15, 2023 Nichter was driving his Dodge Ram on southbound Van Dyke when he got into a road rage incident with two people on a motorcycle. Nichter chased the motorcycle going over 100 MPH before colliding with it. The motorcycle stuck to the pick-up truck after impact. Both vehicles stopped. The two victims on the motorcycle were not injured.
Mark Nichter was charged with two counts of Assault with Intent to Murder (life felony,) two counts of Assault with Intent to Commit Great Bodily Harm (ten year felony) and Operating a Motor Vehicle While Impaired Third Offense (one to five year felony.) More Information
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Man Arraigned on Terrorism Charges
It is alleged that on Monday, April 10, 2023 Desmond Parks of Detroit called Forest Park Elementary School threatening to shoot students exiting the bus to enter the school. Parks has a friend whose child attends the school. Parks has no relation to the child. On Tuesday, April 11, 2023 Parks was arraigned on charges of Threat of Terrorism (20 Year Felony,) and False Report of a Felony (4 Year Felony.) More Information
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16 Year Old Charged with Treat of Terrorism
It is alleged that on Friday, March 24, 2023 the juvenile downloaded a photo of an individual holding a gun and added a threatening phrase to the photo. The juvenile then air-dropped the photo with the phrase to fellow students during lunch.
The juvenile is charged with Threat of Terrorism (20 Year Felony) and Using a Computer to Commit a Crime (20 Year Felony.) The juvenile’s pretrial hearing has not been scheduled yet. More Information
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Man Arraigned on Second Degree Murder Charges
It is alleged that on Sunday, April 9, 2023 the victim, and his girlfriend got into a physical altercation. Devonte Tucker of Clinton Twp. who was not involved in the altercation produced a handgun and shot the victim. Tucker was charged with Murder in the Second Degree (Life Felony,) and Felony Firearm (Two Year Mandatory Felony.) More Information
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Frozen Fish Allegedly Used to Commit an Assault
It is alleged that the suspect approached the fish counter at Desi Fruit Market on Nine Mile Rd around 7:13 pm. The fish counter clerk explained that the fish counter closed at 7:00 pm due to the Ramadan holiday. The suspect became angry and argued with the clerk. The suspect then allegedly assaulted the clerk on the head with a four pound frozen hilsa fish. More Information
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Couple Arraigned in Shooting at Party
It is alleged that on Monday, March 27, 2023 Darious Smith and Ashley Smith of Fraser were at a residence in Eastpointe. The couple left the party and were outside the residence. The victim left the party shortly after through the side door. Darius Smith had a gun and fired at the victim. There was an exchange of gunfire and the couple left in their vehicle. More Information
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Parents Charged with Starvation Death of Two Year Old Son
It is alleged that on Thursday, March 16, 2023, Jonathon Matthew Cheek and Sierra Pearl Zaitona found their son dead in his crib. The coroner determined the cause of death was starvation. Jonathon Matthew Cheek, 25 years old, and Sierra Pearl Zaitona, 27 years old, were charged with second degree murder (Life Felony), and Child Abuse Second Degree (10 Year Felony.) More Information
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What do you think would benefit our community? What do you think the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office should be doing?
Contact Dawn Fraylick at (586) 586-469-5737 or at Dawn.Fraylick@macombgov.org and give us your thoughts.
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