Intoxicated man arrested for possession of handgun

A 43 year-old Kasson Township man was arrested Wednesday night for Possessing a Firearm While Intoxicated.  The man's 64 year-old mother called Leelanau 911 at 11:49 pm after hearing 3 shots fired in the basement of the Trumbull Road house they lived in.  She told dispatchers that her son had been drinking and she thought the shots were fired in the basement.

Leelanau County deputies responded and observed the suspect through a basement window, passed out in a recliner.  They entered through the sliding glass door in the walkout basement and took the man into custody.  They located and seized a loaded 9mm handgun on the floor next to the recliner.  

The man was extremely intoxicated and told investigators that he stepped outside from the basement and shot the weapon to relieve stress.  He was arrested for Possessing a Firearm While Intoxicated.  The Sig Sauer 9mm was registered to the suspect.

During the investigation deputies located 3 large bags of processed marihuana next to the chair that the suspect was passed out in.  Nearly 20 mature marihuana plants were located growing near the residence and another 20 drying in a greenhouse.  The suspect said the plants and bags of marihuana belonged to his 88 year-old grandfather who lived in the home and had a medical marihuana card.  When the grandfather was interviewed, he confirmed that he had a medical marihuana card but said his 62 year-old son was his caregiver and the plants belonged to the son.  He said his son lived at another location in Leelanau County and had plants growing there as well.

The suspect remains jailed pending a bond being set by the magistrate.  His blood alcohol level was .21% at the time of his arrest.  The drug investigation has been turned over to the Traverse Narcotics Team for follow-up.

Speeding motorist cited for marihuana possession

A 28 year-old Maple City woman was stopped for speeding at 7:39 am Wednesday on Maple City Road near Cemetary Road.  Immediately upon contact, a Leelanau County Sheriff's deputy smelled the odor of burnt marihuana.  The driver was questioned about the odor and turned over personal use quantity of marihuana to the officer.

She was cited for excessive speed and the marihuana case will be reviewed by the Leelanau County Prosecutor.

 Sleeping driver crashes Tuesday morning

A 55 year-old Elmwood Township man told Leelanau deputies that he fell asleep while driving home after working a night shift.  Gregory M. Konieczka was westbound on Cherrybend Road near Dalzell when his vehicle ran off the right side of the road and overturned.  He was transported to Munson Medical Center by Elmwood Rescue for undisclosed injuries.  A safety belt was worn and alcohol was not a factor in the crash.  No citation was issued.