SHAWN BALFANZ

IRON MOUNTAIN — A Norway man involved in a standoff with police after being accused of going into a woman’s home has pleaded not guilty in Dickinson County Circuit Court.

Shawn Balfanz, 43, is charged with second-degree home invasion, a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison; and assaulting, resisting or obstructing a police officer, a two-year-penalty.

Balfanz is charged as a four-time habitual offender and could spend up to life in prison if convicted.

According to the criminal complaint, police were called to a residence on the 300 block of C Street in Norway after the owner came home and found Balfanz inside on Feb. 28.

A previous news release from the Norway Police Department stated Balfanz — who was unnamed at the time — reportedly fled through a back door as officers were en route to the home.

While tracking Balfanz to a wooded area south of the residence, officers reportedly learned he had entered a mobile home on the same block. Balfanz did not respond as police surrounded the home, the news release stated.

The Dickinson County Critical Incident Response Team was brought in and a negotiator was able by phone to get Balfanz to come out of the residence. He was arrested without incident and taken to the Dickinson County Jail, the release stated.

A pretrial conference is set for May 3.