Traffic stop leads to drug bust

Sheriff’s office recovers nearly a pound of methamphetamine

By Jennifer Champagne
Managing Editor

A traffic stop for excessive speeding on M-94 has led to what Alger County authorities say is the largest methamphetamine seizure ever made by the Alger County Sheriff’s Office.

John William Jacobson, 56, was arraigned Monday in 93rd District Court on one count of possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine after deputies recovered 14.907 ounces — nearly a pound — of methamphetamine during a traffic stop Sunday near Rumely.

Sheriff Todd Brock said Sgt. Perry King initiated the stop after observing the vehicle traveling between 104 and 106 mph.

“That’s what drew Perry’s attention,” Brock said.

As the stop continued, Brock said King’s training in narcotics investigations prompted additional questioning after the driver exhibited what he described as several “red flags” indicating possible criminal activity.

King, a K-9 handler, then deployed Alger, the sheriff’s office narcotics detection dog.

“When we suspect that somebody may be carrying drugs in their vehicle, the dog goes to work,” Brock said. “Alger did his job perfectly. He hit exactly where the drugs were located.”

Deputies ultimately recovered nearly a pound of methamphetamine from the vehicle.

Brock said investigators believe the drugs were likely being transported through the area, although he noted the suspect is a Gwinn resident and said authorities cannot rule out the possibility some of the methamphetamine was intended for communities in the region.

“This is our largest amount, absolutely. This is incredibly large,” Brock said. “To put it into perspective, a member of the Michigan State Police told me one pound of meth equates to about 4,480 individual uses.”

The investigation remains active as authorities work to determine where the methamphetamine originated and where it was ultimately headed.

“As in any narcotics investigation, you always try to work your way up the ladder to the bigger dealers,” Brock said. “We’ll continue to push this investigation as far as we can.”

Alger County Prosecutor Robert Steinhoff said the amount allegedly recovered is significant because quantity is one of the factors prosecutors may use when proving intent to deliver.

“Drug crimes are made up of parts called elements,” Steinhoff said. “First, the defendant must knowingly possess methamphetamine, and he must specifically intend to deliver it to another person.”

He explained that while each case depends on its facts, the amount of a controlled substance can help establish intent.

“If somebody has a gram of methamphetamine, that doesn’t really support possession with intent to deliver,” Steinhoff said. “But if somebody has a pound, which is many hundreds of individual uses, that would support possession with intent to deliver.”

Steinhoff said Alger County has earned a reputation among law enforcement agencies for aggressively prosecuting drug trafficking cases before narcotics reach their intended destinations.

“If you are going to do that, go around,” he said, referring to traffickers passing through the county. “Don’t enter Alger County, or you will pay the penalty.”

Steinhoff noted prosecutors work closely with law enforcement throughout an investigation while remaining mindful of their distinct legal roles.

“We want to make sure that the investigative steps that the police are taking are going to hold up when we get to court,” he said.

Both Brock and Steinhoff praised King’s work and the performance of K-9 Alger during the investigation.

“I am extremely proud of the work that our department does on narcotics,” Brock said. “Our guys and girls in the sheriff’s department take this seriously. We’re going to continue to give it all we’ve got to combat the drug problem in the Upper Peninsula.”

“I also want to applaud the efforts of the Alger County Sheriff’s Office,” Steinhoff said. “This was a great collaborative arrest. Deputy King used all resources at his disposal to ensure an appropriate arrest in these circumstances.”

During Monday’s arraignment, 93rd District Judge Charles C. Nebel set Jacobson’s bond at $50,000, allowing him to post 10% of the bond for release. A probable cause conference is scheduled for Aug. 17, followed by a preliminary examination Aug. 24. Jacobson is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.