Search warrants executed by FBI

The Federal Bureau of Investigation announced that it is currently executing the second of two Federal search warrants in Leelanau County.  The FBI is being assisted by the Leelanau County Sheriff's Office and up to 60 Federal agents are participating in the investigation here.

Two Federal sealed search warrants were obtained by the FBI recently in U.S. District Court in the Western District of Michigan.  No details of the investigation are allowed to be released due to the sealing of the warrants by a Federal magistrate.  That means that all details of the investigation and facts stated in the warrant may not be released until an indictment is issued, if ever.

Agents used hazardous material protective clothing while executing the warrants in Leland Township and Suttons Bay village beginning early Friday morning.  Once agents entered the areas to be searched, an assessment was made regarding potential lethality or health concerns to the neighborhood or public at large.  Although the investigation involves hazardous materials, it was determined that there is absolutely no danger to anyone near the search sites or anywhere in Leelanau County.

The investigation is not related to any other sites or investigations in Michigan but other searches are being conducted related to the case in other states.  It is unknown when the search and investigation here will end or whether anyone will be charged as a result.

Homecoming events involving Suttons Bay High School will proceed as planned.

Three arrested on warrants in 90 minutes

Grand Traverse Band Tribal Police and Leelanau County Sheriff's Office deputies arrested 3 people on the GTB reservation Thursday.  Tribal Police arrested a 36 year-old man at his home on Ki-Dah-Keh-Mi-Kun at 5:27 pm for failing to register with Tribal authorities as a sex offender, a Tribal code violation.  He remains jailed pending a Tribal Court appearance.

Leelanau deputies and GTB police arrested Melonie C. Baker at her home in Peshawbestown an hour later.  She was wanted on a Circuit Court bench warrant for probation violation.  She is accused of numerous violations of the terms of her probation for Aggravated Stalking.  She is jailed without bond pending a Circuit Court appearance.

Another person who was present at Baker's home was arrested on an unrelated Grand Traverse County warrant.  Kenneth D. Sehl, 28, of Traverse City, was taken into custody by Tribal police on the misdemeanor warrant.  He was transported to the Leelanau County jail where he was picked up by Grand Traverse County authorities.