TYLER POLICH

IRON MOUNTAIN — An Iron River man will spend 23 months to five years in prison on charges stemming from two incidents last summer in which he reportedly ran from police investigating underage drinking parties.

Tyler Roy Polich, 22, will receive credit for 452 days served in jail and may potentially serve part of his prison sentence in an alternative incarceration facility, or boot camp.

Polich in October had pleaded guilty to resisting or obstructing an officer, a two-year felony; and lying to a police officer, a one-year misdemeanor; a habitual offender-third status, which increases the maximum penalty on the felony to four years; and a probation violation, according to Dickinson County Circuit Court officials.

He was sentenced Tuesday by Judge Michael Pope of Ironwood, who was appointed to the case after both Dickinson County Circuit Court judges, Christopher Ninomiya and Mary Barglind, recused themselves because they regularly work with his father, attorney Roy Polich, circuit court officials have said.

Defense attorney Gregory Seibold sought a 12-month jail sentence and a chance at further rehabilitation, saying his client has attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and is affected by fetal alcohol syndrome.

“He has a hard time controlling his impulses,” Seibold said, arguing a prison term would not be the best approach.

Dickinson County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Kristin Kass said Polich has repeatedly demonstrated he is unable or unwilling to follow court orders.

“If he doesn’t get his alcohol under control, his future is going to be more like his past,” she said.

Kass noted the prosecutor’s office would have no objection to Polich serving time in boot camp if he is deemed eligible by the Michigan Department of Corrections.

Polich in court apologized tearfully to the community and his family. “I want to stay sober,” he said.

Pope reviewed Polich’s past legal troubles, including a 2016 police chase in Iron County that left one of his passengers with serious and lasting brain damage when he jumped from the car.

Prison time is appropriate, the judge said, because Polich has refused or not taken full advantage of his chances to reform and has repeatedly disrespected law enforcement.

Pope said he was unlikely to object to boot camp, but added, “He’s going to sit for a little bit.”

Dickinson County deputies investigating a party June 20 caught Polich trying to climb out of a window, so they pushed him back inside and told him to report to another deputy on the deck of the residence, according to the criminal complaint.

Polich instead reportedly jumped out another window, but a deputy eventually was able to grab him and take him to the ground after a foot chase, the complaint states.

During the arrest, Polich gave deputies a false name and age, according to the complaint, but later admitted his real identity.

Just a few days later on June 23, deputies claim they again found Polich at an underage drinking party in Sagola Township, where he ran into the woods and ignored deputies’ commands, the complaint states.

The Dickinson County charges were consolidated with a probation violation complaint from Iron County.

Polich received two separate prison sentences, but they may be served concurrently.