The Barry County Prosecutor’s Office issued multiple charges against Michael J. Bilbrey of Marshall, stemming from a multi-county police pursuit involving law enforcement in Calhoun, Eaton and Barry Counties that occurred on Tuesday.
Bilbrey was pursued by police after it was reported that he stole a Ford F-450 work truck, which had an attached flatbed, from a citizen in Calhoun County.
Bilbrey was pursued from Calhoun County, throughout Barry County and into Eaton County until he was arrested in Charlotte. He allegedly drove towards several individuals, drove through red lights and stop signs, over barriers and off the road, frightening many people. He also allegedly hit a citizen twice, causing damage to the person’s car and leaving the scene both times.
Barry County Prosecutor Julie Knakfoor Pratt said Bilbrey was arraigned Wednesday and bond was set at $100,000 cash or surety. His Probable Cause Conference will be on February 2, 2023 at 8:30am in Hastings District Court. The Prosecutor’s Office is awaiting further investigation before deciding whether to issue additional charges against Mr. Bilbrey.
The charges are listed below:
COUNT 1: POLICE OFFICER - FLEEING - THIRD DEGREE -MCL 257. 602a(3), FELONY, max penalty 5 Years prison and/ or $ 1, 000. 00 fine.
COUNT 2: POLICE OFFICER - FLEEING - THIRD DEGREE - MCL 257. 602a(3), FELONY, max penalty 5 years prison and/or$ 1, 000. 00 fine.
COUNT 3: POLICE OFFICER - FLEEING - THIRD DEGREE - MCL 257. 602a(3), FELONY, max penalty 5 Years prison and/ or $ 1, 000. 00 fine.
COUNT 4: ASSAULT WITH A DANGEROUS WEAPON (FELONIOUS ASSAULT)-MCL 750. 82, FELONY, max penalty 4 Years prison and/ or $2, 000. 00 fine.
COUNT 5: ASSAULT WITH A DANGEROUS WEAPON (FELONIOUS ASSAULT)-MCL 750. 82, FELONY, max penalty 4 Years prison and/ or $ 2, 000. 00 fine.
COUNT 6: ASSAULT WITH A DANGEROUS WEAPON (FELONIOUS ASSAULT)-MCL 750. 82, 82]. FELONY: max penalty 4 Years prison and/ or$ 2,000.00 fine.
COUNT 7: ASSAULT WITH A DANGEROUS WEAPON (FELONIOUS ASSAULT)-MCL 750. 82, FELONY, max penalty 4 Years prison and/ or $ 2, 000. 00 fine.
COUNT 8: DRIVING – RECKLESS-MCL 257. 626. MISDEMEANOR, max penalty 1 year jail and/or $500.00 fine.
COUNT 9: FAILURE TO STOP AFTER COLLISION -MCL. 257. 620, MISDEMEANOR, max penalty 90 days jail and/or $ 100. 00 fine.
COUNT 10: FAILURE TO STOP AFTER COLLISION- MCL. 257. 620, MISDEMEANOR, max penalty 90 days jail and/or $ 100. 00 fine.
COUNT 11: OPERATING - LICENSE SUSPENDED, REVOKED, DENIED-MCL 257. 904(1), MISDEMEANOR, max penalty 93 days jail and/or $ 500. 00 fine.
COUNT 12: OPERATING WHILE INTOXICATED-MCL 257. 625(1), MISDEMEANOR, 93 days jail and/ or $100. 00-$500. 00 fine and/or 360 hours community service; rehabilitative program(s).
HABITUAL OFFENDER - THIRD OFFENSE NOTICE-MCL 769. 11, twice the maximum sentence on primary offense or a lesser term.
