UPSET Bar Raid Results: Cocaine Seizure Leads to Prison Sentence for Escanaba Defendant

An April 2024 Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team (UPSET) investigation of a bar in Escanaba that resulted in the seizure of approximately 4 ounces of cocaine, drug paraphernalia, and illegal prescription medications has led to a prison sentence for the defendant.

The case, handled through FOIA Request #25-130 Response reveals a successful prosecution with significant penalties for drug delivery offenses.

What Was Requested

On June 26, 2025, I submitted a FOIA request seeking:

“Public records related to the April 2024 Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team (UPSET) Investigation of a bar in Escanaba, Michigan that resulted in the reported seizure of approximately 4 ounces of cocaine, drug paraphernalia, and illegal prescription medications.”

Specifically, I requested:

• Defendant name(s) or redacted identifiers
• Prosecutor’s case number(s)
• The final disposition(s) of any charges filed
• If the case is still pending, confirmation of its current status

What Was Provided

The Prosecutor’s Office provided two Judgment of Sentence documents for defendant James Joseph Johnson. Both documents contain redactions for personal privacy information (telephone numbers, dates of birth).

Case 1: Cocaine Delivery – Prison Sentence

Case Details:

• Case Number: 2024-0000011271-FH
• Judge: John B. Economopoulos
• Police Report No.: 24-813
• Charge: CS-Creation/Delivery of a Controlled Substance (MCL 333.7401(2)(b))
• Type of Drug: Not specified in provided documents, but context suggests cocaine

Guilty Plea and Conviction

• Date of Guilty Plea: May 12, 2025
• Convicted By: Plea (Count 02)
• Charge Code: 333.7401(2)(b) – Controlled Substance Delivery

Sentencing

Judge John B. Economopoulos sentenced Johnson as follows:

1. Probation Revoked: The defendant’s prior probation was revoked
2. Department of Corrections Sentence:
   • Minimum: 38 months (3 years, 2 months)
   • Maximum: 15 years, 9 months
   • Sentence Begins: June 23, 2025
   • Execution: Immediate (defendant taken into custody)
3. Financial Penalties:
   • State Minimum: $68.00
   • Crime Victim Rights Assessment: $130.00
   • Attorney Fees: (Not specified)
   • Fine: $198.00
   • Other Costs: Included in total
   • Total: $396.00 (approximately, attorney fees not fully specified)
   • Due Date: June 23, 2025
   • Late Penalty: 20% if not paid within 56 days
4. Additional Requirements:
   • Lifetime monitoring under MCL 750.520n
   • DNA sample already on file from previous case
   • Fingerprinting completed

Case 2: Prescription Drug Possession – Jail Sentence

Case Details:

• Case Number: 2024-0000011270-FH
• Judge: John B. Economopoulos
• Police Report No.: 19-24
• Charge: Controlled Substance – Possession <25 Grams (MCL 333.7403(2)(a)(5))
• Type of Drug: Not specified, but appears to be prescription medication based on context

Guilty Plea and Conviction

• Date of Guilty Plea: May 12, 2025
• Convicted By: Plea (Count 02)
• Charge Code: 333.7403(2)(a)(5) – Possession of Controlled Substance Less Than 25 Grams

Legal Representation

The judgment indicates:

“The defendant was advised of right to an attorney: ::JAMES ROBERT MAKI was represented by an attorney”

The defendant knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily waived the right to counsel and proceeded without an attorney.

Sentencing

Judge John B. Economopoulos sentenced Johnson as follows:

1. Probation and HYTA Revoked: Both probation and HYTA (Holmes Youthful Trainee Act) status were revoked
2. Jail Sentence:
   • Sentence Begins: June 23, 2025
   • Time to be Served: 217 days
   • Jail Credit: 217 days credited
   • Result: Time served, defendant should be released
3. Financial Penalties:
   • State Minimum: $68.00
   • Crime Victim Rights Assessment: $130.00
   • Attorney Fees: $60.00
   • Fine: (Not specified in provided portion)
   • Other Costs: Included in total
   • Total: $258.00
   • Due Date: June 23, 2025
   • Late Penalty: 20% if not paid within 56 days
   • Payment Alternative: Defendant can request alternative payment plan if unable to pay due to financial hardship
4. Additional Requirements:
   • Probation placement for unspecified months (see separate order)
   • Rehabilitative services required (see separate order)
   • DNA sample already on file from previous case
   • Fingerprinting completed

What This Means

Successful UPSET Investigation

The April 2024 UPSET bar investigation in Escanaba was successful in:

• Seizing approximately 4 ounces of cocaine
• Confiscating drug paraphernalia
• Recovering illegal prescription medications
• Identifying and prosecuting the defendant

Significant Prison Sentence

The cocaine delivery charge resulted in a substantial prison sentence:

• 38 months minimum (over 3 years)
• 15 years, 9 months maximum
• This reflects the seriousness of drug delivery offenses in Michigan

Combined Penalties

The defendant received concurrent sentences for both charges:

• Prison time for the more serious delivery charge
• Time served for the possession charge
• Combined financial penalties totaling approximately $654

Revocation of Prior leniency

The revocation of probation and HYTA status indicates:

• The defendant had previously received more lenient treatment
• The new offenses violated those prior arrangements
• The court imposed harsher penalties due to repeat offending

Why This Matters

Community Safety

This case demonstrates the UPSET team’s effectiveness in:

• Identifying drug activity in local establishments
• Removing significant quantities of illegal drugs from the community
• Holding offenders accountable through prosecution

Deterrence Effect

The substantial prison sentence sends a clear message:

• Drug delivery offenses carry serious consequences
• Repeat offenders face enhanced penalties
• Courts take drug trafficking seriously

Resource Allocation

The case illustrates how law enforcement resources are deployed:

• UPSET investigations target significant drug operations
• Multi-agency coordination (UPSET involves multiple law enforcement partners)
• Prosecutor’s Office prioritizes serious drug offenses

Rehabilitation vs. Punishment

The defendant’s journey from probation/HYTA to prison raises questions:

• Were rehabilitation resources adequately provided?
• What could have been done differently to prevent reoffending?
• Are there systemic issues in addressing drug addiction in Delta County?

Comparison with Other Cases

This case differs from the federal transfer cases (FOIA #25-131 and #25-132) in several ways:

1. Jurisdiction Remained State: Unlike the methamphetamine cases that went federal, this cocaine case was fully prosecuted in state court
2. Quantities Involved: 4 ounces of cocaine is significant but may not have triggered federal jurisdiction thresholds
3. Complete Prosecution: The case resulted in guilty pleas and sentencing, not dismissal for federal transfer
4. Single Defendant: Unlike the multi-defendant cases, this involved one person
5. Successful Outcome: The case was fully resolved with a prison sentence, rather than being transferred or having unresolved status

What This Shows About Local Drug Enforcement

UPSET Team Effectiveness

The successful outcome demonstrates:

• Effective intelligence gathering
• Successful execution of search warrants
• Strong evidence collection
• Successful prosecution

Prosecutor’s Office Approach

The case shows the Prosecutor’s Office:

• Aggressively prosecutes drug delivery offenses
• Seeks appropriate penalties for serious offenses
• Coordinates effectively with UPSET
• Provides transparent responses to FOIA requests

Judicial Response

Judge Economopoulos’ sentencing reflects:

• Recognition of the seriousness of drug delivery
• Accountability for repeat offending
• Balance of punishment and potential rehabilitation

Community Impact

Positive Aspects

1. Drug Removal: 4 ounces of cocaine removed from circulation
2. Accountability: Offender held responsible with prison sentence
3. Deterrence: Clear message to other drug dealers
4. Community Safety: One less drug dealer on the streets

Considerations for Future

1. Prevention: Can more be done to prevent drug trafficking in local establishments?
2. Rehabilitation: Are adequate treatment programs available?
3. Root Causes: What drives drug activity in the community?
4. Resource Allocation: Are law enforcement resources being used most effectively?

Conclusion

The April 2024 UPSET bar investigation represents a successful example of drug interdiction in Delta County. The seizure of 4 ounces of cocaine, along with drug paraphernalia and illegal prescription medications, resulted in significant prison time for the defendant.

The Prosecutor’s Office provided complete and transparent responses to the FOIA request, showing full case disposition and sentencing details. This transparency allows the community to understand how serious drug offenses are being addressed in Delta County.

The substantial prison sentence—38 months minimum and nearly 16 years maximum—demonstrates that drug delivery offenses carry serious consequences in Delta County. The revocation of prior probation and HYTA status shows that repeat offenders face enhanced penalties.

While this case represents a successful prosecution, it also raises questions about prevention, rehabilitation, and addressing the root causes of drug activity in the community. Continued transparency from law enforcement and the Prosecutor’s Office will help the community understand and support efforts to combat drug trafficking.

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Related Documents:

• FOIA Request #25-130 (June 26, 2025)
• Response dated July 3, 2025
• Judgment of Sentence – Case No. 2024-0000011271-FH (cocaine delivery)
• Judgment of Sentence – Case No. 2024-0000011270-FH (prescription drug possession)

Key Statistics:

• Reported Cocaine Seized: ~4 ounces
• Drug Paraphernalia: Confiscated
• Illegal Prescription Medications: Confiscated
• Defendant: James Joseph Johnson
• Prison Sentence: 38 months minimum, 15 years 9 months maximum
• Jail Time Served: 217 days (time served)
• Total Financial Penalties: ~$654
• Date of Sentencing: June 23, 2025