Trending
MENOMINEE COUNTY -- Two Menominee residents were arrested and arraigned on multiple felony drug and firearm charges following an investigation by the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team (UPSET).
Mason Thomas Berden, 25, and Kirstie Anna Paris, 28, both of Menominee, were arraigned in the Menominee County 95-A District Court on Thursday.
According to the felony complaint, Berden faces one count of possession with intent to deliver/manufacture methamphetamine, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and/or $25,000; one count of possession with intent to deliver/manufacture marijuana, a felony punishable by up to four years in prison and/or $20,000; one count of possession of firearms by a prohibited person, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and/or $5,000 with a mandatory forfeiture of weapon or device; one count of possession of weapons -- ammunition by a prohibited person, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and/or $5,000 with a mandatory forfeiture of weapon or device; and four counts of felony firearm, a felony carrying a penalty of two years consecutively with and preceding any term of imprisonment imposed for the underlying felony conviction.
Berden is charged as a habitual offender with a third offense notice for all charges.
Paris is charged with one count of possession with intent to deliver/manufacture methamphetamine, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and/or $25,000; one count of possession with intent to deliver/manufacture marijuana, a felony punishable by up to four years in prison and/or $20,000; and two counts of felony firearm, a felony carrying a penalty of two years consecutively with and preceding any term of imprisonment imposed for the underlying felony conviction, according to the felony complaint.
The charges stem from an investigation conducted overnight on Wednesday and Thursday by UPSET detectives, who reportedly used a confidential informant to conduct an undercover "drug buy" from Berden at a residence on Highway M-35 in Menominee, according to court documents.
Detectives maintained surveillance on the residence after the alleged transaction and subsequently observed a maroon van leave the residence.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, the residence is owned and was previously used by an individual -- who was not charged in this case -- for illegal drug transactions. The individual was sentenced to seven to 20 years in person for the transactions.
After detectives verified Berden had a valid extraditable felony warrant through Wisconsin for a parole violation, a traffic stop was conducted on the maroon van near the intersection of Northshore Drive and 48th Avenue in the City of Menominee.
During the traffic stop, Menominee Police Department (MPD) Officers identified the driver of the vehicle as Paris and the front seat passenger as Berden, who was arrested on the valid felony warrant.
An MPD Officer deployed his K-9 partner, who alerted to the odor of narcotics.
Officers then conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle and located 48.44 grams of meth, a separate quantity of 6.14 grams of methamphetamine, 36.82 grams of psilocybin, 34.86 grams of marijuana, a digital scale, a pistol and ammunition.
The affidavit of probable cause states Paris allegedly "admitted that she was concealing methamphetamine; approximately 48.44 grams of methamphetamine was located on her person."
Both individuals were arrested at the time of the incident. At the request of Menominee County Prosecuting Attorney Jeffrey T. Rogg, Magistrate Todd Roach established bond at $100,000 cash/surety for Berden and $10,000 cash/surety for Paris.
In a news release, Rogg commended the proactive efforts of UPSET and the MPD.
"Because of this interdiction effort, a large quantity of methamphetamine and other narcotics did not wind up on the streets of our community and put our citizens at risk. I appreciate the excellent work of my law enforcement partners in identifying and arresting these suspects so quickly," Rogg said.
Rogg further noted the investigation remains active, and additional criminal charges are expected to be filed.
A probable cause conference and a preliminary examination will be scheduled by the court at a future date.
------
Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021 or svogelmann@dailypress.net.