Colin Stewart Murdock, 27, of Wetmore was arraigned Friday in Alger County District Court on two felony charges following his Wednesday, Sept. 3 arrest by the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team (UPSET) and federal agents.
Murdock is charged with possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of ammunition by a felon. Each carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $5,000 fine along with mandatory forfeiture of the weapons. The charges stem from his 2018 conviction for assaulting, resisting or obstructing a police officer, which bars him from gun ownership under state law.
Investigators said they saw videos posted online showing Murdock firing weapons; a search warrant led to the seizure of 12 rifles, a pistol and multiple large-capacity drum magazines from his residence.
Judge Charles Nebel set a $5,000 personal recognizance bond with a prohibition on possessing firearms. “No weapon should be in your hand … until you’re given the legal ability to do that,” Nebel told Murdock during the hearing. Delta County Prosecutor Lauren Mattson asked for a cash or surety bond, citing the seriousness of the charges while defense attorney Lillian Harmon argued Murdock was not a flight risk and had strong ties to Alger County.
A probable cause conference is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 10, followed by a preliminary examination on Monday, Sept. 15, although court officials said scheduling conflicts could push the case into late September or October.
Murdock was initially taken into custody without incident by UPSET detectives, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Michigan State Police Emergency Support Team.