(IRON MOUNTAIN, MI.)–Members of he K.I.N.D. Team and the Dickinson County Prosecuting Attorney, Lisa Richards Office, released information regarding a recent drug trafficking investigation. At approximately 6:30pm on Thursday last week, undercover officers participated in a controlled purchase of methamphetamine using a confidential informant. Subsequent to the controlled purchase, undercover officers conducted surveillance on the suspect vehicle, which eventually led tem to the Mountain Host Motor Inn in Iron Mountain. All four occupants of the suspect vehicle entered the motel for a brief period of time. A second controlled purchase of methamphetamine was arranged while the four subjects were inside the motel. Investigating officers then followed the suspect vehicle to the north side of Iron Mountain where the traffic stop was made. Following the arrest of the four individuals, police obtained and executed a Search Warrant at the Mountain Host Motor Inn where one of the four had rented a room, police discovered approximately 40-grams of crystal methamphetamine hidden in the ceiling of the room, along with digital scales and other drug paraphernalia. A 36-year old Green Bay man was arrested and was charged with operating a motor vehicle on a suspended driver’s license. Also a 26-year old Escanaba man was arrested on a parole violation. Their names are being withheld pending their arraignments. Twenty Nine year old Robert Donald Kotula of Minnesota and Kristen Nicole Mercier also 29-years old from Bark River were arrested and charged with Delivery of Methamphetamine and Possession with Intent to Deliver Methamphetamine. Each is punishable up to 20-years in prison and/or a $25,000 fine. Jessica Lee Urmanski, 34, also from Bark River, was charged with two counts of Possession of Methamphetamine, punishable up to 10-years in prison and/or a $15,000 fine. Urmanski is also charged with being a Habitual Offender, second offense notice. Kotula, Mercier and Urmanski are all scheduled for Probable Cause Conferences on April 19th with Preliminary Examinations on April 25th at 2:30pm in 95-B District Court in Iron Mountain. The investigation is ongoing and could result in additional charges. Assisting agencies included Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office deputies, Kingsford Public Safety Officers, Michigan State Police K9 Unit and Iron Mountain Police.
(Aaron Harper,WJNR,WOBE,WHTO)
aaronharper22@gmail.com