On Friday, March 15, 2019, Manistique Public Safety Officers, with the assistance of the Public Safety K-9 Unite, 93rd District Court Probation Department, and Schoolcraft County Sheriff’s Department continued their investigation into the alleged trafficking of methamphetamine with additional felony arrests and narcotics seizure in Manistique and Schoolcraft County.
Upon continuing their investigation into the narcotics case initiated February 2019, officers seized 85 grams of crystal methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $13,000 from a residence in Schoolcraft County. Pursuant to this seizure officers obtained additional felony arrest warrants for Ryan Richard St. John, age 43, of Manistique who remains in custody stemming from a previous drug related arrest on February 26, 2019.
During an arraignment in 93rd District Court, Friday, March 15, Ryan St. John was charged with COUNT 1: Controlled Substance – Delivery/Manufacture – Methamphetamine, a Felony, 20 years and/or $25,000. COUNT 2: Conspiracy to Commit Controlled Substance – Delivery/Manufacture – Methamphetamine, a Felony, 20 years and $10,000 additional fine. COUNT 3: Obstruction of Justice, a Felony, 5 years and/or $10,000. COUNT 4: Money laundering – 3rd Degree, a Felony, 5 years and $10,000 additional fine. COUNT 5: Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering – 3rd Degree, a Felony, 5 years and $10,000 additional fine. Bond was set by the 93rd District Court at $1,000,000 cash or surety with the Preliminary Hearing on these charges set for April 3, 2019 at 1:00PM.
Officers also arrested and arraigned two additional suspects in conjunction with this case. They are Thomas James LaVance, age 46, and Stephanie Ann Porter, age 38, also residents of Manistique, Michigan. Thomas LaVance was charged with COUNT 1: Money Laundering – 3rd Degree, a Felony, 5 years and/or $50,000 or twice the value of the proceeds, whichever amount is greater. COUNT 2: Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering – 3rd Degree, a Felony, 5 years and $10,000 additional fine. bond was set by the Court at $50,000 cash or surety with 10% allowed and his next Court appearance date has not been set.
Stephanie Porter was charged with COUNT 1: Money Laundering – 3rd Degree, a Felony, 5 years and $10,000 additional fine. Bond was set by the Court at $25,000 cash or surety with 10% allowed and her next Court appearance date has not been set at this time.
The investigation into crystal methamphetamine and other illegal narcotics in Manistique and Schoolcraft County continues and no further details will be released at this time.
