Latest news with #Kentwood
The Independent
5 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Judge throws out murder charge against Michigan officer who struck a fleeing man
A judge dismissed a murder charge against a Michigan police officer who struck a fleeing man with his unmarked SUV, saying his role with a federal task force gives him immunity from state prosecution. There was no evidence that state police Det. Sgt. Brian Keely 'did no more than what was necessary and proper' to catch a man wanted for various crimes, U.S. District Judge Hala Jarbou said Wednesday. Samuel Sterling, 25, died after he was pinned against a wall at a Burger King in Kentwood in April 2024. At that time, Keely was part of a U.S. Marshal Service group that tries to catch fugitives in western Michigan. 'Sterling was actively attempting to evade arrest, leading multiple officers on an extended chase in a populated area,' the judge said. 'Because Keely and the other officers reasonably believed Sterling was armed, they had good reason to believe that Sterling posed a significant threat to the safety of officers and the public.' Sterling was on foot. Keely made a reasonable decision to try to block him from entering the Burger King, even if the officer's actions were risky, Jarbou said. The judge said it is "well settled" that a state can't prosecute a federal officer if the officer acted properly. Keely was charged with second-degree murder. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said the decision was 'nothing short of a miscarriage of justice.' Keely's attorneys said Sterling, who had past convictions, made things worse by running. There were six warrants out for his arrest, including an allegation of assault against his father and probation violations, the judge said. 'This ruling not only vindicates our client but also sends a strong message in support of those who serve with honor and integrity,' Keely's lawyers said in written statement.
CBS News
5 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Judge throws out murder charge against Michigan officer who struck a fleeing man with unmarked SUV
A judge dismissed a murder charge against a Michigan police officer who struck a fleeing man with his unmarked SUV, saying his role with a federal task force gives him immunity from state prosecution. There was no evidence that state police Det. Sgt. Brian Keely "did no more than what was necessary and proper" to catch a man wanted for various crimes, U.S. District Judge Hala Jarbou said Wednesday. Samuel Sterling, 25, died after he was pinned against a wall at a Burger King in Kentwood in April 2024. At that time, Keely was part of a U.S. Marshal Service group that tries to catch fugitives in western Michigan. "Sterling was actively attempting to evade arrest, leading multiple officers on an extended chase in a populated area," the judge said. "Because Keely and the other officers reasonably believed Sterling was armed, they had good reason to believe that Sterling posed a significant threat to the safety of officers and the public." Sterling was on foot. Keely made a reasonable decision to try to block him from entering the Burger King, even if the officer's actions were risky, Jarbou said. The judge said it is "well settled" that a state can't prosecute a federal officer if the officer acted properly. Keely was charged with second-degree murder. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said the decision was "nothing short of a miscarriage of justice." Keely's attorneys said Sterling, who had past convictions, made things worse by running. There were six warrants out for his arrest, including an allegation of assault against his father and probation violations, the judge said. "This ruling not only vindicates our client but also sends a strong message in support of those who serve with honor and integrity," Keely's lawyers said in a written statement.
Associated Press
5 days ago
- General
- Associated Press
Judge throws out murder charge against Michigan officer who struck a fleeing man
A judge dismissed a murder charge against a Michigan police officer who struck a fleeing man with his unmarked SUV, saying his role with a federal task force gives him immunity from state prosecution. There was no evidence that state police Det. Sgt. Brian Keely 'did no more than what was necessary and proper' to catch a man wanted for various crimes, U.S. District Judge Hala Jarbou said Wednesday. Samuel Sterling, 25, died after he was pinned against a wall at a Burger King in Kentwood in April 2024. At that time, Keely was part of a U.S. Marshal Service group that tries to catch fugitives in western Michigan. 'Sterling was actively attempting to evade arrest, leading multiple officers on an extended chase in a populated area,' the judge said. 'Because Keely and the other officers reasonably believed Sterling was armed, they had good reason to believe that Sterling posed a significant threat to the safety of officers and the public.' Sterling was on foot. Keely made a reasonable decision to try to block him from entering the Burger King, even if the officer's actions were risky, Jarbou said. The judge said it is 'well settled' that a state can't prosecute a federal officer if the officer acted properly. Keely was charged with second-degree murder. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said the decision was 'nothing short of a miscarriage of justice.' Keely's attorneys said Sterling, who had past convictions, made things worse by running. There were six warrants out for his arrest, including an allegation of assault against his father and probation violations, the judge said. 'This ruling not only vindicates our client but also sends a strong message in support of those who serve with honor and integrity,' Keely's lawyers said in written statement.
CBS News
23-05-2025
- CBS News
West Michigan social worker accused of having inappropriate communications with students
A social worker who works with middle school students in the Kentwood Public Schools district is accused of having inappropriate communications with several students. Dequindre Malik Wiggins, 26, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, is charged with accosting a minor for immoral purposes and using a computer to commit a crime. The Kent County Sheriff's Office says Wiggins is a licensed master social worker and was employed at Valleywood Middle School in Kentwood. Detectives began investigating Wiggins on May 9 when a parent reported inappropriate contact between her child and Wiggins to a sheriff's office road patrol. An investigation revealed that Wiggins had contact with other students on online platforms. Following an investigation, the Kent County Prosecutor's Office issued a nationwide, extraditable arrest warrant on May 21. Wiggins was located in Lexington, Kentucky, on May 21 and arrested by the Lexington Police Department. He is awaiting extradition at the Fayette County Detention Center. "The Kent County Sheriff's Office continues to prioritize the safety of children and holds accountable those who violate positions of trust. We urge parents to stay involved in their children's online and gaming activity and to report any suspicious interactions," said Sgt. Scott Dietrich, Kent County Sheriff's Office public information officer. Anyone with information on the incident or concerns related to the case is asked to call the Kent County Sheriff's Office at 616-632-6100 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Police: 1 dead in crash on 28th Steet in Kentwood
KENTWOOD, Mich. (WOOD) — One person died in a car crash in Kentwood Friday, police say. The two-car crash happened around 4:40 p.m. on 28th Street and Radcliff Avenue, west of the East Beltline near the entrance to Woodland Mall. The Kentwood Police Department says medical crews tried to save the passenger in one of the cars, but the person died on the scene. Police did not release any information about the identity of the person who died. Police say the drivers of both cars were taken to the hospital, but their injuries were not considered life-threatening. Kentwood police did not release details about the circumstances of the crash, saying an investigation is ongoing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
