Scott Demeuse and his attorney, James Maki, listen in Delta County Circuit Court as Judge John Economopoulos revokes Demeuse's bond for 10 days. (Sophie Vogelmann | Daily Press photo)

ESCANABA — A local contractor facing fraud charges had his bond revoked for 10 days Tuesday after being accused of violating terms of his release.

Scott Demeuse appeared Tuesday in Delta County Circuit Court before Judge John Economopoulos as Chief Assistant Prosecutor Beth Wickwire sought to revoke his bond for a sixth violation while his case is pending. James Robert Maki represented Demeuse.

In court, Economopoulos said ordering at least 10 days in jail was “balancing these things in a way that I think is in interest of justice and proportionate,” given his sixth bond violation.

Demeuse was previously sentenced to seven days for his fifth violation. “The last revocation of your bond was seven days, and looking at this for what it is and also what it isn’t, the court will be revoking your bond for 10 days this go around and I’ll allow for it to be reinstated under its original terms at the expiration of 10 days.”

Economopoulos agreed to allow Demeuse to serve his sentence during three consecutive weekends, beginning this Friday, so Demeuse can continue to work.

Demeuse is out on bond after being charged with one count of contractor – fraudulent use of building contract fund as well as one count of false pretenses – $20,000 or more for jobs that occurred in 2024.

Demeuse was offered a plea deal in June that he did not accept.

Authorities said he violated his bond July 28 by testing positive for multiple controlled substances, including amphetamine, methamphetamine, buprenorphine and nor-buprenorphine. His positive tests resulted in his sixth bond violation.

Tuesday, Wickwire acknowledged that going from seven days in jail to indefinite revocation of bond is “rather a large leap” but said it was for several reasons.

She cited Demeuse’s previous violations, saying it showed a pattern.

“I would also note, your honor, another reason why I believe this more severe sanction is appropriate is it’s not just one substance. We have amphetamine, methamphetamine, buprenorphine and then the metabolite or a metabolite of buprenorphine, the norbuprenorphine,” Wickwire said.

Wickwire also pointed to Demeuse’s levels of drugs from his positive test July 28.

“The cutoff is 500 milligrams per milliliter. Mr. Demeuse tested at greater than 50,000 nanograms per milliliter with regard to the methamphetamine. With regard to the amphetamine, 500 nanograms per milliliter is the cutoff. He tested at 8,405 nanograms per milliliter. And then, with regard to the buprenorphine, five nanograms per milliliter (is the cutoff), tested at 188 nanograms per milliliter,” Wickwire said.

Maki said his client got outpatient substance abuse addiction recovery treatment from Upper Great Lakes Family Health on Aug. 1 and since July 28 has had several drug tests with negative results.