Three Felony Suspects Bound Over In Atlantic Mine Drug House Case

Three cases involving an alleged drug operation in Houghton County have been bound over to circuit court.

31-year old Michael Karppinen of Atlantic Mine, 50-year-old Kevin Willis of Mount Morris and 25-year old Anthony Brown of Flint appeared in 97th District Court Friday.

The suspects are all facing charges of Delivery/Manufacture of Cocaine and Heroin–both 20 year felonies; and Possession of Heroin, a four year felony.

Karppinen was also charged with Maintaining a Drug House, a high court misdemeanor punishable by two years.

In all three cases, the suspects waived their preliminary exams and were bound over to circuit court.

The charges stem from an investigation by detectives from the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team that turned up 50 individual packets of heroin, 1.5 ounces of crack cocaine and over $1,900 in cash.

In all, five people were arrested, with two other suspects from Atlantic Mine charged with frequenting a drug house, which is a misdemeanor.

The three felony suspects are expected to be arraigned in Houghton County Circuit Court on Monday.

They are currently lodged in the Houghton County Jail on $500,000 bond each.