CHIPPEWA COUNTY — Michigan State Police (MSP) announced the arrest of a Sault Ste. Marie man as part of an ongoing investigation into a woman’s recent death.

Brandon Nertoli, 31, was arraigned as a habitual offender Thursday in the Chippewa County 91st District Court on a charge of delivery of a controlled substance causing death.

The charge stems from an incident that occurred on Feb. 20 when troopers from the MSP Sault Ste. Marie post responded to a report of a female believed by a 911 caller to be in cardiac arrest at a residence in Dafter Township.

According to Lt. Benjamin Eckola, the MSP Eighth District Public Information Officer, the caller mistakenly thought the woman was actively having a heart attack, but it was determined the woman had already been deceased for several hours prior to the troopers’ arrival.

Drug paraphernalia and suspected narcotics, including fentanyl and methamphetamine, were observed at the scene, according to a news release.

The subsequent investigation revealed the woman had been in contact with a local man and had purchased drugs from him leading up to that night. An autopsy later determined the cause of death to be a drug overdose involving fentanyl and methamphetamine.

On Wednesday, troopers from the MSP Sault Ste. Marie post, Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team (UPSET) detectives, MSP Emergency Support Team personnel and Sault Tribe Police Department officers executed a search warrant at Nertoli’s residence.

Law enforcement subsequently arrested Nertoli and seized methamphetamine, small quantities of prescription pills, $4,360 in U.S. currency — subject to forfeiture — and $4,440 in counterfeit bills.

“This arrest was an important step in this case,” Eckola said. “Troopers are continuing their work to hold those responsible for this death accountable.”

Nertoli was lodged in the Chippewa County Jail on $100,000 cash/surety bond with additional conditions. If he posts bond, he will be subject to GPS monitoring and house arrest.

His next court appearance is scheduled for April 16.

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Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021 or svogelmann@dailypress.net.