ESCANABA — An Escanaba man was sentenced to prison on multiple charges, including possession of methamphetamine and fleeing a police officer.

Brandon Joseph Dickerson, 38, of Escanaba, was in Delta County Circuit Court before Judge John Economopoulos for his sentencing on Monday. He was being sentenced in two separate cases from incidents that occurred in July 2024 and January 2025.

Dickerson previously pled guilty to one count of possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine, one count of fleeing a police officer in the 4th degree, and one count of bond – absconding or forfeiting.

The July case stemmed from an incident where Dickerson was found in possession of methamphetamine.

The January case stemmed from an incident on Jan. 21, when Dickerson fled police.

According to the Delta County Sheriff’s Office, on Friday, Jan. 21, around 4 p.m., deputies attempted to make a traffic stop on LL Road in Nahma Township. The driver, Dickerson, was wanted on several warrants. Dickerson did not stop, and a pursuit ensued.

Deputies first tried to disable the vehicle using Stop Sticks but were unsuccessful. The chase continued down US-2 and then north of Z Road for roughly 10 miles. The vehicle finally stopped, and a female occupant and her five-year-old daughter exited the vehicle. Responders learned that Dickerson jumped out of the vehicle as it was moving at a corner, and the female passenger took over driving.

Officers located Dickerson a some time later, hiding in the woods. A Michigan State Police (MSP) K-9 unit, with assistance from an MSP drone, located Dickerson and took him into custody.

On Monday, Dickerson’s lawyer, James Maki, asked the court to consider Dickerson’s addiction when imposing a sentence.

“When you look at the totality of what happened in this case, or the multiple cases — it all comes down to addiction,” Maki said.

He said that Dickerson only had a small amount of methamphetamine in his possession, and it was for his personal use.

Maki recognized that Dickerson did hide out from authorities but said he was in a state of self-preservation. He added that Dickerson had bond violations because he was afraid he would test positive due to his addiction.

“He knows he’s gonna get picked up for missing that, so he is self-preserving and hiding out,” Maki said

“There was no malice, no ill-will or evil intent here. It’s just simply somebody who’s addicted and cannot help himself, and it’s just trying to go into self-preservation more than anything else.”

Maki ultimately asked the court to consider a county jail sentence for Dickerson.

After hearing from Maki, Economopoulos asked Dickerson if he would like to address the court.

“Sir, I stand here before you today accepting responsibility and consequences for my actions,” Dickerson said.

“I’m very sorry for it, very remorseful for the people I have put in danger and the people I hurt. I’ve been attending church and NA meetings weekly. I just ask that you have mercy on your sentence.”

Economopoulos recognized and appreciated that Dickerson was making efforts to turn the page on his addiction, but punishment was necessary considering Dickerson’s criminal history.

“You’re not being punished because you’re an addict; you’re being punished because you racked up a criminal history that compounds in a bad way,” Economopoulos said.

Dickerson was sentenced on all three counts: one count of possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine, 36 months to 10 years in prison with credit for 126 days already served; one count of fleeing a police officer in the 4th degree, 12 months in jail with credit for 122 days already served; and one count of bond – absconding or forfeiting, 12 months in jail with credit for 122 days already served.

The sentences will be served concurrently in the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC).

Dickerson will also have to pay associated court fines and fees.