Midland County Prosecuting Attorney

08/24/2026

08/19/2026

This is the August 2026 MSP Community Newsletter. Please note the upcoming Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign and plan to celebrate safely! Thank you.

August 2026
Back-to-School Photos: Share Smiles, Not Sensitive Information
As the school year kicks off, social media will light up with proud parents posting first-day photos. It's a heartwarming tradition, but it can also unintentionally expose sensitive information about your child.
Details like school name, grade level, teacher, age and even physical characteristics may seem harmless, but they can be exploited by predators or scammers targeting your child or family.
Even with strict privacy settings, the safest choice is to limit what you share online.
Avoid posting:
• School name or location
• Age or birthdate
• Teacher’s name or classroom
• Physical details like height or weight
• Personal clues (e.g., answers to security questions)
It is worth treating everyday details with the same caution you would give to a password or a PIN. Celebrate safely with fun captions, close ups of backpacks or shoes or a creative back-to-school sign that does not include identifying information. Let's keep the memories joyful and private.

Search for Biological Family Unexpectedly Connects Trooper to Career Peers

Trooper Tom Kinnunen has lived most of his life in the Upper Peninsula, worlds away from where he was born in Korea.
“My parents adopted me when I was one,” said Trooper Kinnunen. “The U.P. is my home. I have a wonderful life and career here, but I don’t know much about my biological family.”
Last fall, as part of his 40th birthday celebrations, he visited the Korean Consulate in Chicago to begin the process of trying to locate his biological family.
“I discussed my background in law enforcement, with the Michigan State Police, with the consulate employee assisting me,” said Trooper Kinnunen. “That led to me meeting a friend involved with the 19th International Korean Law Enforcement Officers Program, a nomination-based conference for foreign law enforcement officers of Korean ethnicity.”
Trooper Kinnunen was also introduced to the Korean American Law Enforcement Group (KALEG), which ultimately nominated him for the program.
In June he traveled to Seoul, South Korea for the gathering hosted by the Korean National Police Agency (KNPA). Eleven International Korean law enforcement members from five countries were in attendance.
The program’s purpose is layered, striving to establish cultural identities for Korean descendants, foster understanding and cooperation among participants and KNPA officers, and build professional connections.
“We learned about their practices, visited policing facilities, a training academy to speak with recruits and also venues like Gyeongbokgung Palace, and the Han River Park,” said Trooper Kinnunen. “Maybe most important, I have built relationships and gained perspectives I didn’t have access to before.”
Trooper Kinnunen teaches at Northern Michigan University and participates in the MSP’s Asian American/Pacific Islander Employee Resource Group and has already begun sharing his experience with students and fellow MSP members.
While in Korea, Trooper Kinnunen learned the KNPA was unable to find his biological family but would continue to search.
“I honestly believe things happen for a reason, some good, some less favorable,” said Kinnunen. “This was a good thing.”

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over
Labor Day weekend is a time for squeezing in those last sunny adventures before fall sneaks up on us. But it’s also one of the deadliest times of the year for crashes and fatalities involving impaired drivers.
From 2021 to 2025, Michigan saw 46 driver fatalities in traffic crashes during the Labor Day holiday period. Alarmingly, 39.1% of those drivers were impaired by alcohol and/or drugs.
To help keep our roads safe, Michigan law enforcement agencies will partner together in the federally funded Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over statewide impaired driving crackdown from August 14 through September 7. During the enforcement, police officers will be on the lookout for motorists under the influence of drugs and alcohol. In Michigan, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher, although drivers can be arrested at any BAC level if an officer believes they are impaired.
If your plans include alcohol or anything that could impair your ability to drive, make a plan before you go out. Motorists are urged to drive sober, designate a sober driver or use a ride-sharing service to ensure everyone gets home safely.

Pre-Order Your 2027 AAST Calendar Now!
Thanks to everyone for voting for our Blue Goose in the American Association of State Troopers (AAST) Best Looking Cruiser Contest!
The MSP came in 2nd place and will be featured in the 2027 calendar, which can be pre-ordered today at statetroopers.org. Calendars will be printed and delivered in October.
Calendar sales benefit the AAST Foundation, which provides educational scholarships to dependents of member troopers

Prepare Now for Emergencies
September is National Emergency Preparedness Month, and the Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (MSP/EMHSD) is encouraging Michigan residents to use this time to take steps to prepare for emergencies.
The MSP/EMHSD is uniting with agencies nationwide under the theme “Americans Stand Ready” to empower individuals to take charge of their own readiness. Getting yourself, your family and your home ready for emergencies like home fires, power outages and floods could be life-saving should disaster strike.
To put preparedness into action, the MSP/EMHSD is partnering with Lapeer County to host the 2026 Prepare Fair from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 12 at Home Depot, 1500 Summit Dr.
This free, family-friendly event will allow attendees to:
• Learn how to prepare for emergencies
• Meet local first responders
• Explore emergency response vehicles
Additionally, there are fun activities for all ages and free food and refreshments.
For more information and helpful tools to assist with emergency preparedness, visit Michigan.gov/MIReady.

In the Field

Earlier this month, the MSP Hart Post joined local emergency responders in the search for three individuals who went missing while tubing on the Muskegon River. On August 7, MSP and Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) personnel located the missing individuals.
Pictured are Tprs. Zach Murphy with the Marine Services Team and Jeremy Martin with his K9 partner, Hundur, alongside DNR Conservation Officers Anna Cullen, Cameron Wright and Seth Rhodea, who made initial contact with the missing individuals.
Thank you to all the agencies and responders who worked together to bring this search to a successful conclusion!

In Your Community
Aug. 19: Child Safety Seat Check Event – West Branch
Aug. 20: MSP Hiring Event - Ga***rd
Sept. 12: Prepare Fair - Lapeer
Join Us!

Choose a career in public service; learn more at www.mi.gov/mspjobs
Transparency

Check out our Transparency and Accountability website that provides the public with easy access to information about the administration and operation of the MSP.

08/12/2026

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AG Nessel Warns of Bank, Credit Union Imposter Scams Michigan Attorney General sent this bulletin at 08/12/2026 11:55 AM EDT Share or view as webpage | Unsubscribe FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:August 12, 2026 Media Contact:Danny Wimmer AG Nessel Warns of Bank, Credit Union Imposter Scams LANSING – Today,...

08/03/2026

07/24/2026

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AG Nessel Reissues Government Imposter Scams Consumer Alert Following Reports Michigan Attorney General sent this bulletin at 07/23/2026 03:29 PM EDT Share or view as webpage | Unsubscribe FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:July 23, 2026 Media Contact:Danny Wimmer AG Nessel Reissues Government Imposter Scams Con...

07/23/2026

Press Release
________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 23, 2026
CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, [email protected]
MDHHS alerts Healthy Michigan Plan beneficiaries of steps to prepare for federally required changes to Medicaid
State working to ensure families keep their health care coverage
LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is preparing to implement federally required changes to Medicaid due to the passage of H.R. 1. Among the changes are new work requirements and more frequent eligibility checks for some individuals enrolled in the Healthy Michigan Plan (HMP).
“Health care coverage plays a critical role in helping people access preventative care, manage chronic conditions and stay healthy,” said Amy Epkey, MDHHS acting director. “Our priority is helping beneficiaries understand these new requirements so they can comply and we can keep as many eligible Michiganders covered as possible.”
Beginning in January 2027, certain HMP members between the ages of 19 and 64 may need to meet new work requirements or qualify for an exemption to maintain coverage. People who are not exempt will be able to meet the requirements through various approved activities including working, volunteering, going to school or participating in a work program. Most HMP beneficiaries will also transition from annual renewals to six-month renewals.
Individuals who qualify for an exemption will not be subject to the new work requirements. Exemptions include, but are not limited to, women who are pregnant or newly postpartum, American Indians and Alaska Natives, some individuals with complex health needs and certain caregivers.
“Even with these new federal bureaucratic hoops, no one should assume they will lose coverage,” said Meghan Groen, MDHHS Health Services chief deputy director and state Medicaid director. “Many who need to meet this new eligibility requirement may already be doing so through work, school or other approved activities. Many others may qualify for an exemption.”
MDHHS is reviewing newly released federal guidance and working to update systems, train staff and develop educational materials to prepare for these changes. As part of that effort, MDHHS has launched a community partner toolkit with resources organizations can use to share information with constituents and help beneficiaries prepare for these upcoming changes. MDHHS has also launched a public awareness campaign and plans to further expand outreach efforts as implementation of Medicaid changes approach.
Implementation of the new rules will happen over time and not everyone will be affected right away. HMP beneficiaries will receive information and notices as changes approach and additional details become available.
At this time, MDHHS encourages anyone with Medicaid coverage to:
• Make sure their information is current in their MI Bridges account.
• Watch for and read notices from MDHHS regarding their health care coverage.
• Respond promptly to any requests for information from MDHHS.
• Visit Michigan.gov/HMP for updates and additional information about work requirements.
MDHHS will continue providing updates as planning for these changes progresses and additional details become available.

07/09/2026

On July 9, 2026, Nicholas John Premo (age 47) was sentenced to serve from 96 months to 40 years with the Michigan Department of Corrections for his conviction of First Degree Home Invasion and as a Third Offense Habitual Offender. Premo was also ordered to serve several lesser concurrent terms for his related convictions of Breaking and Entering a Building with Intent, Possession of Burglar’s Tools, Larceny in a Building, Malicious Destruction of Personal Property and Breaking and Entering a Vehicle to steal property.
Premo was convicted of all offenses following a two-day jury trial in the 42nd Circuit Court before Judge Michael J. Beale, in May of this year. The evidence at trial showed that the defendant arrived at the victims’ residence in Coleman just before midnight on October 11, 2025. While at the property, Premo took a pry bar out of a vehicle located in the driveway and used it to pry open a garage door. Premo spent roughly 30 minutes in the garage rummaging through various boxes, attempting to siphon gas out of a vehicle, and taking items out of a refrigerator. After exiting the garage, Premo checked several doors on the home, ultimately opening a sliding glass door which lead to a bedroom where two victims were sleeping. The victims were quick to confront Premo inside of the door, causing him to retreat to the garage. The victims, a Michigan State Police Trooper and a Midland Police Officer, were able to detain Premo in the garage while waiting for assistance.
This case was investigated by the Midland County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Cody Holbrook. The Prosecutor’s Office again thanks the victims for their cooperation, as well as MCSO Deputy Szidik and Prosecutor’s Office Victim Advocates Sammantha Tasker and Thomas Bandlow for their excellent work on the case. We also commend the victim police officers for their quick and well-controlled response.

07/09/2026

Slow Down Michigan!
Speeding is more than a traffic violation; it can have life-changing consequences. For more than two decades, speeding has been a contributing factor in approximately one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities in Michigan.
To encourage safer travel this summer, the Michigan State Police, along with local and county police agencies, will carry out focused speed-enforcement patrols throughout July.
The MSP reminds drivers to slow down, follow posted speed limits and adjust their speed for road conditions, including weather, construction zones and reduced visibility.
Every driver has a role in keeping Michigan roads safe. By slowing down, staying focused and making responsible choices behind the wheel, we can help reduce crashes and save lives.