Thompson sentenced to prison for sexual assault

Stanley E. Thompson, 73, of Traverse City, was sentenced to 14-24 months in Department of Corrections yesterday.  Thompson pleaded guilty to Criminal Sexual Conduct 4th degree, a 2 year high court misdemeanor. 

Leelanau County detective began to investigate in November 2012 the allegation that Thompson had sexual contact with a child under 13.  After a forensic interview of the victim and admissions from the suspect, Thompson was charged with Criminal Sexual Conduct 2nd degree, a 15 year felony.

Thompson remains jailed without bond pending transfer to Southern Michigan Prison in Jackson to begin serving his sentence.

Another kayak rescue undertaken

Leelanau dispatch received the report of a kayaker who needed to be rescued Monday.  The call came in at 1:41 pm and the report was that a 73 year-old woman was in Lake Michigan 1/8 mile off shore.  She was in Sleeping Bear Bay off of the Cannery at the end of M-209 in Glen Arbor Township.  It was reported that she was unable to  get the kayak back to shore and did not have a personal floatation device on.

Leelanau Sheriff's Office marine division was dispatched, as well as Glen Arbor Fire Department rescue boat, United States Coast Guard with assistance from National Park Service on shore.  Before all rescue units arrived, the woman was able to get to shore safely.

This was the same general area which an 8 year-old boy and his father capsized earlier in the month.  The boy perished after spending an extended time in the water.  He was wearing a life jacket.

Citizens are reminded of the danger associated with small vessel use in Lake Michigan and to always wear a PFD, regardless of the current weather conditions.

Late night paintballers do damage

A citizen on Johnny St. in the Birch Point trailer park reported that two window were shot out in her van early Monday morning.  She heard a vehicle speed off at that time and learned later in the morning that two of her vehicle windows had been broken.

Leelanau County deputies responded and discovered that numerous paintballs had been fired throughout the park and appeared to have been shot from a vehicle that was driving through.  No other vehicle damage was discovered.

Anyone with information concerning who may have been shooting paintball guns in Bingham Township on Sunday night/ Monday morning is asked to contact the Leelanau County Sheriff's Office at 256-8800, Tipline at 256-8696 or tips@co.leelanau.mi.us.