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Oscoda man arrested on larceny, fraud charges
POSTED: June 25
The Michigan State Police recently arrested an Oscoda man on larceny and fraud charges for allegedly defrauding people through a company he operated out of the Mikado area.
The suspect was arrested earlier this week and lodged in the Alcona County Jail on larceny by conversion over $20,000, larceny by conversion $1,000 or more but less than $20,000, contractor fraud and performing an occupation without a license. He is free on a $200,000 bond pending his appearance at the 81st District Court in Harrisville for an arraignment, which has yet to be scheduled.
The larceny by conversion over $20,000 has a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $15,000 fine or, three times the value of the property stolen. The maximum sentence for larceny by conversion $1,000 or more but less than $20,000 is five years in prison and a $10,000 fine or, three times the value of property stolen. Contractor fraud is punishable by six months to three years in prison and $100 to $5,000 in fines. Performing an occupation without a license is punishable by 90 days in jail and a $500 fine.
" (If convicted) my understanding is the sentences would be served concurrently, " said Thomas Weichel, Alcona County prosecutor.
According to the MSP, the 41-year-old man was arrested in an ongoing investigation which began nearly two years ago. MSP troopers in Lincoln adopted the investigation from troopers assigned to the South Haven MSP post when it was learned a Coloma woman was allegedly defrauded by a suspect living in the Mikado area.
During the investigation, troopers discovered the suspect was operating a company called Grey Creek Enterprises in Mikado. He allegedly engaged in a scheme to defraud people from throughout Michigan and across the country out of tens of thousands of dollars.
The suspect allegedly contract with people associated with equestrian farms to design and build pole barns and other storage buildings while requiring a substantial deposit on the materials and labor to begin the projects. The suspect is alleged to have collected numerous deposits from all over the state and from as far away as Ohio, Connecticut and Rhode Island with the intent to defraud the people involved.individuals usually contacted the suspect by responding to ads placed in trade magazines and other publications, the MSP said.
Investigators with the Michigan Department of Treasury Tax Fraud Unit, Michigan Attorney General's Office, Rhode Island Attorney General's Office, FBI and other law enforcement agencies are assisting in the investigation of the case.
Weichel, who authorized the four charges, said troopers initially presented the case to him in April or May.
"They continued to do some investigation and presented the amendments (to their reports) last week, " he said.
Anyone with information on this case should contact the MSP Lincoln Post at 736-7244.
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