Bessemer Standoff Suspect Sentenced

The Gogebic County man who engaged in a standoff with police last fall has been sentenced. 38-year-old Kurt Choronzy of Bessemer, will spend nine months in jail, with the option to serve the last three in a treatment center. He must pay any remaining restitution and will spend 18 months on probation following his jail time. He was sentenced on charges of malicious destruction of utility property and reckless use of firearms. He was originally charged with firearms possession under the influence and reckless use of firearms, and later plead guilty to the charges he was sentenced under. The Gogebic County Sheriff’s Office arrested Choronzy at his residence, where the standoff began the night of September 9th. It continued into the early morning hours the following day.