Court Watching: Jeffrey Chamberlain takes plea deal on VBT drug charges

By Rosemary K. Otzman
Independent Editor
Jeffrey M. Chamberlain pled guilty to possession of marijuana and a charge of controlled substance/delivery of marijuana was dropped by Judge David Parrott at 34th District Court on July 30.
On July 9, Chamberlain’s attorney Seymor Schwartz had asked for a postponement of his preliminary exam and so Judge Parrott delayed it until July 30. Schwartz had told Judge Parrott he needed more time to obtain evidence in the case and his client agreed to waive the 14-day rule for a preliminary exam within that time.
Chamberlain was out after posting 10% of his $5,000 set bond.
On July 30, Schwartz worked out the plea deal with the prosecutor and Judge Parrott pointed out this was a very good deal for Chamberlain.
Chamberlain told the judge that he has never been charged with a drug-related offense before.
Chamberlain agreed that on Feb. 4, 2013 he was in possession of marijuana in Van Buren Township.
Judge Parrott said after a period of 12 months, if he does not reoffend and if his $700 fine is paid, his charge will be dismissed. Judge Parrott also sentenced him to four days on the court work program and random drug testing.
VBT Police Detective Donovan McCarthy was the officer in charge of the case.
Brian Carl Barton
Brian Carl Barton pled guilty to a misdemeanor — operating while intoxicated, second offense — and the OWI third offense he was charged with was dropped.
Part of the plea deal with the prosecutor included serving 45 days in jail.
He told Judge Parrott he was operating a motor vehicle on June 21 in Van Buren Township with a .15 blood alcohol level. He had been convicted of the charge before in 2006 and in 2007, both in Isabella County.
Judge Parrott said Barton must have alcohol screening. His bond of $5,000 or 10% had been posted.
Officer in charge of the case was Detective Ken Toney.
Julian Aileni
Julian Aileni waived his preliminary exam on a drug possession charge and was bound over to circuit court for an arraignment on the information at 9 a.m., Aug. 13.
Aileni, 31, first was due for a preliminary exam on July 16, but had the exam postponed. He was arrested on July 2 in Belleville by Officers Matthew Vandeweghe and Jeffrey Wickham and charged with possession of narcotics less than 25 grams. He is out on $3,000 personal recognizance bond.
Brandon Lamar Webb
The preliminary exam for Brandon Lamar Webb on six felony charges was adjourned one week by Judge Parrott, until Aug. 6, at the request of the People.
The assistant prosecutor said the July 30 date was a conflict for the officer in charge and the Michigan State Police Trooper who are part of DRANO [Downriver Area Narcotics Organization]. They couldn’t be present on July 30.
Webb is charged with possession by a felon, carrying concealed weapon, controlled substances, possession controlled substance, weapons, and controlled substance/possession of marijuana.
He is out on $20,000 personal recognizance bond.
Brandon Barnett
Brandon Barnett accepted a plea deal and pled guilty to domestic violence. If there are no further arrests within a 12-month period, this will be wiped from his record.
He said he has had no assaultive crime before this.
When Judge Parrott asked what he did, Barnett said on June 3 in Van Buren Township he put his hands on his girlfriend. When the judge asked for more details, Barnett said he “slapped her on her knee and told her to get out.”
Barnett was ordred to get a substance abuse assessment, as determined by the probation department, and to get batterer’s counseling. He also was sentenced to four days on the court work crew.
VBT Detective Ken Toney said from the back of the courtroom that Barnett had been served a Personal Protection Order that same day.
Barnett’s total fees were $905. Judge Parrott told him to comply with everything and his case will be dismissed in a year.
Brandon Petrie
Brandon Petrie was due for a bench trial on July 30 on a charge of domestic violence, but he took a plea deal instead that offered him a dismissal of the charge after 12 months if he did not reoffend.
Judge Parrott was told after the original offense on April 23 in Van Buren Township he was charged with misdemeanor trespassing concerning the same individual. VBT agreed to dismiss that trespassing charge.
Judge Parrott said that Petrie was charged once before, but it was dismissed in 2010 when his girlfriend decided not to press charges and the prosecutor didn’t proceed.
“I’m taking you at your word, because it’s not in the records,” Judge Parrott said.
“When you failed to appear…” Judge Parrot began and court-appointed defense attorney Jeff Bowdich cut in, “He was incarcerated.”
Judge Parrott asked him to say exactly what he did to his girlfriend on the offense he was pleading guilty to and Petrie said he put his hands around her throat.
Judge Parrott ordered Petrie to pay a $445 total fee and serve four days in the court work program. He was to have no assaultive contact with the victim and would attend batterer’s counseling.
Samuel Banks
Samuel Banks, who has been trying to get into a veteran’s court in another district court for several months, asked for a bench trial on his 2012 charge.
Attorney Bowdich said they have been unsuccessful in getting him into this special court.
Judge Parrott set the bench trial for 11 a.m. Aug. 20.