Noah Johnson Daily Press Colton Troy Brunette is sworn under oath during his final pre-trial conference on Wednesday.

ESCANABA – A Wilson man pleaded guilty to a stolen property charge in circuit court on Wednesday.

Colton Troy Brunette, 24, of Wilson, was in Delta County Circuit Court before Judge John Economopoulos for a final pre-trial conference for a stolen property charge – receiving and concealing – $1,000 or more but less than $20,000.

The charge stems from an incident that occurred on or about April 29, 2024 when Brunette allegedly aided in the concealment of a stolen 2015 Jeep Cherokee.

The conference took less than 15 minutes, as Brunette entered a guilty plea with the prosecution agreeing to a sentence of Holmes Youthful Trainee Act (HYTA).

HYTA is a Michigan statute that allows younger offenders who were between 17 and 24 at the time of the offense to avoid a criminal conviction if they complete probation or other court-ordered conditions.

Brunette was 23 at the time of the alleged offense so he qualifies for HYTA.

Brunette was previously in district court in a separate case, facing four charges including conspiracy to commit controlled substance delivery/manufacture (cocaine, heroin or another narcotic) 50 to 449 grams; two counts of conspiracy to commit controlled substance ‚-ì delivery/manufacture (schedules 1, 2, and 3 except marijuana and cocaine); and one count of a controlled substance “delivery/manufacture of methamphetamine.

The case was ultimately dismissed as the prosecutor’s office awaited necessary lab evidence.

‚”Unfortunately, we do not have those labs, and considering the lack of those labs at this point and other evidentiary matters that we need to reorganize and regroup on, we would be dismissing the matter at this time with the intention of refiling once those labs and other evidence has been reorganized and we’ll be able to present it in an adequate fashion,” Delta County Prosecutor Lauren Wickman said in April in district court.

Defense Attorney for Brunette, Trent Stupak, who also represented Brunette in district court, wanted to clarify with the court that if the charges from the dismissal in district court are resurrected, they would not violate Brunette’s HYTA.

The charges in district court occurred after the charge in circuit court, which could be a violation of HYTA. However, the case in district court was dismissed so there is no violation.

“That was dismissed prior to the being placed on HYTA and if it was resurrected, obviously, it would be resurrected after this week,” Stupak said.

Delta County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Beth Wickwire said the prosecutor’s office is treating the case as a stand alone case.

“Our office is treating this as a stand alone (case) and it’s not our intent to, I guess, trip up Mr. Brunette with regards to this item,” Wickwire said.

The court ultimately accepted the plea agreement.

Should Brunette not violate HYTA, he will avoid a conviction and jail time, likely serving probation for the offense.

His sentencing is scheduled for July 28 at 3:30 p.m.