Sheridan Township duo arrested in connection to drug death.

Martinez, left; Sohn, right.

Sheridan Township duo arrested in connection to drug death.

#MasonCountyNews

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.

Michael Martinez

LUDINGTON — Michael Thomas Martinez, 34, of 4513 North Benson Road, Sheridan Township, and Neta Margett Sohn, 33, of the same address, were recently arraigned before Magistrate Patricia Baker on five count felony complaints in 79th District Court-Mason County.  The charges arise out of the death of Katie Lynn Fulton, 35, of Ludington as a result of an accidental drug overdose of heroin and fentanyl on Nov. 30, 2018 in the City of Ludington.   

A preliminary examination has been scheduled for Wednesday, May 1, 2019 at 11:15 a.m. in the Mason County Courthouse.  Bond was set for Martinez at $250,000 cash or surety, and he is represented by attorney Al Swanson of Muskegon. Bond was set for Sohn at $150,000 cash or surety, and she is represented by attorney Tracie Dinehart of Ludington.  

“Both of these individuals are presumed to be innocent of these charges unless  proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court,” said Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola.

The five count felony complaint alleges the following offenses:

• Count 1.  Delivery of heroin causing death of Katie Lynn Fulton, a felony punishable by life in prison.
• Count 2.  Delivery of Fentanyl causing death of Katie Lynn Fulton, a felony punishable by life in prison.
• Count 3.  Delivery of heroin under 50 grams, a felony punishable by a maximum of 20 years.
• Count 4.  Delivery of Fentanyl under 50 grams, a felony punishable by a maximum of 20 years.
• Count 5.  Maintaining a drug house, a  felony punishable by a maximum of two years confinement.
• The investigation was performed by the Ludington Police Department and SSCENT Narcotics Team, as well as Dr. Joyce deJong, Mason County medical examiner.

Neta Sohn and attorney Al Swanson, Jr.

In September 2017, Martinez was sentenced in 51st Circuit Court to nine months in jail of a one-year discretionary jail term for convictions of larceny from a vehicle and cocaine possession less than 25 grams. Martinez was arrested earlier that year by Ludington Police Department on felony charges of breaking and entering a motor vehicle to steal property $1,000 or more but less than $20,000 and breaking and entering a motor vehicle to steal property $200 or more but less than $1,000. The State, Sheriffs, Chiefs Enforcement Narcotics Team (SSCENT) also charged him with felony possession of a controlled substance – cocaine and possession of marijuana.

Both Martinez and Sohn have criminal histories.

In August 2015, Martinez was found guilty in 51st Circuit Court of probation violation and sentenced to one year and four months to two years in prison with credit for 478 days served in jail and $598 in fines and costs. His probation stemmed from March 12, 2013 convictions of attempted assault with a weapon and and domestic violence. His probation was revoked.

In October 2014, was sent to a Special Alternative Incarceration (SAI) facility by 51st Circuit Court Judge Richard I. Cooper after being found guilty of probation violation. His probation stemmeds from no-contest pleas to attempted assault with a weapon and domestic violence, March 12, 2013. He was also ordered to pay $598 in fines and costs. “Must successfully complete the SAI program followed by all aftercare, and continued domestic violence programming counts are concurrent,” court records stated.

On March 12, 2019, Sohn was sentenced in 51st Circuit Court on a conviction of uttering and publishing a counterfeit bill. Sohn testified that she used two $100 bills at the Wesco convenience store in the City of Ludington last November. She was originally charged with two counts of uttering and publishing, and one count was dismissed. Judge Susan K. Sniegowski sentenced Sohn to 44 days in jail with credit for 44 days served. The judge also ordered $200 in restitution and one year probation. Spaniola said Sohn’s substance abuse issues involving crystal meth, cocaine and heroin have a played a role in her criminal behavior.

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