Case against man accused of assault with intent to murder deputy heads to trial

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor

LUDINGTON — The 46-year-old Scottville man accused of nearly pushing a Mason County sheriff’s deputy into a passing logging semi truck and trying to disarm him last January appeared in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, April 9, for a pretrial.

Joshuea Michael Boger faces nine criminal charges, along with a third-offense habitual offender notice. Boger is charged with the following:

• assault with intent to murder;
• assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder;
• attempt to disarm an officer;
• third-degree fleeing and eluding;
• third-offense operating while intoxicated; and
• four counts of assaulting/resisting/obstructing police.

“There is no offer at this time,” said Mason County Assistant Prosecutor Beth Hand. “Guidelines are currently calculated at 126-315 months (10 ½ to 26 ¼ years).”

Defense attorney Horia Neagos said Boger “remains on track toward a likely trial in the case.”

The case is scheduled for a motion hearing, July 16, at which time the defense will present a motion “on the basis of the (traffic) stop,” said Neagos. 

“The suspect had originally complied during the stop and complained the handcuffs were too tight,” previously said Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole. “As the deputy was loosening the cuff, he turned on the deputy.”

“He was able to break free from his handcuffs,” said Hand.

Before his arrest, Boger had fled from the deputy — reaching a speed of 75 mph in a 25 mph zone — after a “be on the lookout” alert was issued for a possible drunk driver. He nearly hit a pedestrian with his vehicle during the chase, said Sheriff Cole.

“At 11:38 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, the Mason/Oceana County 911 Center put out a ‘be on the lookout’ for a possible drunk driver traveling eastbound on Hansen Road near Stiles Road in Mason County’s Amber Township,” stated Sheriff Cole. “A Mason County Sheriff’s Office deputy was on patrol on North Scottville Road at the US 31 bypass and spotted the reported vehicle as it was making a turn onto Scottville Road from North US 31. The deputy confirmed the plate and attempted a traffic stop. The vehicle failed to stop, traveling southbound on Scottville Road/North Main Street at a slow speed and into the City of Scottville.

“After several blocks, the vehicle pulled into a Scottville business parking lot and stopped,” said Sheriff Cole. “As the deputy was about to exit his patrol car, the suspect fled through the parking lot back onto North Main Street, and nearly struck a pedestrian walking in a crosswalk near Wesco. The suspect fled southbound on Main and ran the red light at State Street.

“The vehicle accelerated up to approximately 75 mph in a 25 mph zone before pulling into a driveway in the 500 block of South Main Street in the City of Scottville.

During the ensuing arrest, the suspect grabbed one of the deputies by his exterior vest carrier and pushed him backwards, reportedly in an attempt to shove the deputy into the side of a passing logging semi-truck. The suspect then grabbed the deputy’s handgun, attempting to disarm the deputy. The deputy and the suspect ended up on the ground on centerline of the road.

“I am profoundly grateful the driver of the logging truck slowed and moved well to the left. Body cam video clearly shows the suspect was able to shove the deputy out into the travel lanes of the road, within just a couple feet of the passing logging truck.”

Boger remains lodged in the Mason County Jail on a $500,000 cash/surety bond.

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