Victory Twp. man involved in August chase faces drug charges.

Fargo

Victory Twp. man involved in August chase faces drug charges.

#MasonCountyCrime #MasonCountyNews

LUDINGTON — A 40-year-old Scottville man was arraigned recently in Mason County’s 79th District Court on three separate drug charges. Michael Thomas Fargo, 694 W. Sugar Grove Road, was arraigned on charges of possession of methadone, maintaining a drug house/vehicle and delivery/manufacture of marijuana. He faces up to four years in prison and/or a $25,000 fine for the felony charges. He has also been charged with being a habitual offender, fourth offense, which could potentially extend a prison term to up to 15 years, if convicted.

Fargo was arrested in August following a 21 minute police chase across three townships in northeastern Mason County. At that time, he was charged with fleeing a police officer third degree, carrying a concealed weapon, and driving while license suspended (DWLS).

According to a press release from the State, Sheriff’s, Chief’s Enforcement of Narcotics Team (SSCENT), Fargo was the subject of an investigation initiated by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office in August. SSCENT detectives assisted with the investigation and submitted their report to the Mason County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for review.

The chase began at 12:52 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18, when a deputy attempted to pull a 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe over for an equipment violation. The vehicle did not stop and led deputies on the chase with speeds exceeding 90 mph throughout Sherman, Branch and Sheridan townships before crashing into a tree on Groth Road near the Mason-Lake counties line.  Deputies recovered a large knife and several baggies of suspected marijuana. Sheriff Kim Cole said Fargo was not injured in the crash and was taken into custody following the 21 minute chase.

Fleeing a police officer third degree, which is an incident that results in a collision, is a felony punishable by up to five years imprisonment and/or a fine of not more than $1,000. Carrying a concealed weapon is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a fine of not more than $2,500. DWLS is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year imprisonment and/or a fine of not more than $1,000.

Deputies were assisted during the pursuit by Michigan Department of Natural Resources law enforcement and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.  Fountain Area Fire Department was called to the scene of the crash to extinguish a small brush fire.

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