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Teen arraigned on criminal sexual conduct

ESCANABA — A Rapid River teen was arraigned on criminal sexual conduct charges Thursday in Delta County Circuit Court.

James Michael Greenlund, 18, of 9504 Co. 413 T Rd., was arraigned on the following two counts: one count of criminal sexual conduct – first degree (during felony) and criminal sexual conduct – third degree (person 13-15). The charges stem from an alleged incident in August 2018 in Masonville Township. Two other teens are facing charges from this incident.

Greenlund pleaded not guilty to both charges.

Assistant Attorney General Brian Kolodziej, who is prosecuting the case, and Greenlund’s attorney both appeared in court via a conference call. Antonio Ruiz, who is representing Greenlund, is in Marquette and was unable to appear in person due to the bad weather Thursday.

After the arraignment, scheduling of the trial and establishing deadlines occurred.

Circuit Court Judge John Economopoulos noted Greenlund’s plea cut-off deadline was set to expire on Friday, Feb. 8 and inquired to both Kolodziej and Ruiz if they were ready to schedule for trial dates or if an extension on the deadline for a plea agreement was needed.

Kolodziej said he was ready to schedule for a trial. However, Ruiz said he would like an extension on the plea cut off deadline.

Economopoulos determined it would be wise to schedule the trial and extend the deadline for a plea agreement because scheduling a trial for 2019 would prove difficult if they were to wait.

In regards to scheduling the trial, Economopoulos asked Kolodziej if the trial would be a joint trial or not, since the case against Greenlund also involves two others.

Kolodziej said he does plan on requesting a joint trial, but has not sent the official request to Economopoulos yet.

Greenlund’s trial is scheduled to start on Tuesday, Oct. 22. The schedule will include the rest of that week and the following week, which may be needed if it is a joint trial.

Economopoulos scheduled the deadline for a plea agreement to April 5. He is currently lodged in Alger County Jail on a $600,000 cash/surety bond.

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