Sheridan Township man faces 10-60 years in prison for fentanyl death.

Michael Martinez

Sheridan Township man faces 10-60 years in prison for fentanyl death.

#MasonCountyCrime

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

LUDINGTON — A 34-year-old Sheridan Township man pleaded guilty in 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, Nov. 12, to delivery of fentanyl causing death and third-offense habitual offender, according to Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola.

The plea agreement for Michael Thomas Martinez, of 4513 North Benson Rd., is a 10-60 year prison term, according to court staff.

The conviction is the result of the death of Katie Lynn Fulton, 35, of Ludington who died from an accidental drug overdose of heroin and fentanyl, Nov. 30, 2018, in the City of Ludington.

Martinez’s co-defendant, Neta Margett Sohn, 33, of the same address, rejected a plea offer and a trial is being scheduled, Spaniola said.

Charges of delivery of a controlled substance less than 50 grams and maintaining a drug house were dismissed in exchange for Martinez’s plea, and his fourth-offense habitual offender status was reduced to the third-offense.

Martinez has previous convictions of larceny from a vehicle, cocaine possession, attempted assault with a weapon, domestic violence and uttering and publishing counterfeit money, according to court records.

The drug death investigation was performed by the Ludington Police Department and the State, Sheriffs, Chiefs Enforcement of Narcotics Team (SSCENT), as well as Dr. Joyce deJong, Mason County medical examiner.

Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 7 at 2 p.m.

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