Wilson man pleads guilty to narcotics charge involving fentanyl pills
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ESCANABA -- A Wilson man has pleaded guilty to a controlled substance charge after an October 2024 run-in with a confidential informant.
Colton Troy Brunette, 25, appeared in the Delta County 47th Circuit Court Monday for his final pretrial conference, during which he pleaded guilty to one felony count of conspiracy to commit controlled substance - delivery/manufacture (cocaine, heroin or another narcotic), less than 50 grams.
In exchange for Brunette's plea, Delta County Prosecuting Attorney Lauren Wickman agreed to dismiss a second conspiracy charge and a habitual offender -- second offense notice -- enhancement.
According to Brunette's felony information, he was previously convicted of attempt to possess a controlled substance - possession of analogues on July 31, 2025, in the Delta County 94th District Court.
The charges stem from an Oct. 24, 2024, incident in which Brunette allegedly met with Michael Craig Wandahsega Jr., 32, of Wilson -- Brunette's co-defendant in the case -- and gave him fentanyl pills. Wandahsega then reportedly gave the pills to an individual who was later identified as a confidential informant.
According to statements made in court, Brunette and Wandahsega also made another subsequent delivery of narcotics to another person.
Brunette was arrested on an Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team (UPSET) warrant in January by the Hannahville Tribal Police Department and lodged at the Delta County Jail on a $15,000 cash/surety bond, according to the Delta County Jail.
The charges were submitted to the Delta County Prosecutor's Office for review on Jan. 5, 2026. Charges were then authorized by the court on Jan. 12.
Brunette’s bond was set at $15,000 cash/surety following his Jan. 15 arraignment, after which he posted bond.
According to Wickman, cases involving confidential informants can take time to arrive at her office, as officers aim to extract as much cooperation from the confidential informant as possible. Therefore, charges were not issued for over one year.
In June, Wandahsega was sentenced to 11 months in jail after he pleaded no contest to two counts of controlled substance delivery, less than 50 grams. Wandahsega earned credit for 157 days served in jail to be counted towards his sentence and was ordered to pay $766 in fines, fees and costs.
Brunette is scheduled to appear in court for his sentencing on Oct. 5. Brunette faces 20 years' incarceration and/or a fine of $25,000.
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Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021 or svogelmann@dailypress.net.