Menominee couple arrested after UPSET investigation
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MENOMINEE COUNTY -- Two Menominee residents were arrested and arraigned on multiple felony drug and firearm charges after an Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team investigation.
Mason Thomas Berden, 25, and Kirstie Anna Paris, 28, were arraigned Nov. 5 in the Menominee County 95-A District Court.
According to the felony complaint, Berden faces one count of possession with intent to deliver/manufacture methamphetamine, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and/or $25,000; one count of possession with intent to deliver/manufacture marijuana, a felony punishable by up to four years in prison and/or $20,000; one count of possession of firearms by a prohibited person, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and/or $5,000 with a mandatory forfeiture of weapon or device; one count of possession of weapons -- ammunition by a prohibited person, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and/or $5,000 with a mandatory forfeiture of weapon or device; and four counts of felony firearm, a felony carrying a penalty of two years consecutively with and preceding any term of imprisonment imposed for the underlying felony conviction.
Berden is charged as a habitual offender with a third-offense notice for all.
Paris is charged with one count of possession with intent to deliver/manufacture methamphetamine, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and/or $25,000; one count of possession with intent to deliver/manufacture marijuana, a felony punishable by up to four years in prison and/or $20,000; and two counts of felony firearm, a felony carrying a penalty of two years consecutively with and preceding any term of imprisonment imposed for the underlying felony conviction, according to the felony complaint.
The charges stem from an UPSET investigation done overnight Nov. 4-5, reportedly using a confidential informant to conduct an undercover "drug buy" from Berden at a residence on M-35 in Menominee, according to court documents.
UPSET detectives maintained surveillance on the residence after the alleged transaction and subsequently observed a maroon van leave the residence.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, the residence is owned and was previously used by an individual -- not charged in this case -- for illegal drug transactions. That individual was sentenced to seven to 20 years in prison for the transactions.
After detectives verified Berden had a valid extraditable felony warrant through Wisconsin for a parole violation, a traffic stop was made on the van near the intersection of Northshore Drive and 48th Avenue in Menominee.
Menominee Police officers identified the driver of the vehicle as Paris and the front-seat passenger as Berden, who was arrested on the valid felony warrant.
An MPD officer's K-9 partner alerted to the odor of narcotics.
Officers then conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle and found 48.44 grams of methamphetamine, a separate quantity of 6.14 grams of meth, 36.82 grams of psilocybin, 34.86 grams of marijuana, a digital scale, a pistol and ammunition.
The affidavit of probable cause states Paris allegedly "admitted that she was concealing methamphetamine; approximately 48.44 grams of methamphetamine was located on her person."
At the request of Menominee County Prosecuting Attorney Jeffrey T. Rogg, Magistrate Todd Roach established bond at $100,000 cash/surety for Berden and $10,000 cash/surety for Paris.
In a news release, Rogg commended the proactive efforts of UPSET and the Menominee Police.
"Because of this interdiction effort, a large quantity of methamphetamine and other narcotics did not wind up on the streets of our community and put our citizens at risk. I appreciate the excellent work of my law enforcement partners in identifying and arresting these suspects so quickly," Rogg said.
Rogg further noted the investigation remains active, and additional criminal charges are expected to be filed.
A probable cause conference and a preliminary examination will be scheduled at a future date.
Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021 or svogelmann@dailypress.net.