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Makela found guilty of resisting/obstructing officer

Makela

HOUGHTON — A Houghton County man was found guilty on all counts, including a felony charge of resisting and obstructing a police officer, after a one-day trial in Houghton County Circuit Court Thursday. 

Douglas Makela, 33, is also facing an investigation for allegedly threatening a witness in his case. The two-year felony charge stemmed from a Sept. 17, 2022 incident in Calumet Township. The jury also found Makela guilty of a misdemeanor charge of disturbing the peace from the same incident. 

Helmer noted that the 2-year-old case is part of the inherited backlog his office is still clearing after he began serving as prosecutor in December.

“This was Houghton County’s first felony trial in many years, due to staffing issues, COVID and the instability in the Prosecutor’s Office prior to my taking office,” Houghton County Prosecutor Dan Helmer, who handled the case with the assistance of the Houghton County Sheriff’s Office, said in a release. “I am proud to have taken this case to trial, and thankful for the jury’s careful deliberation and verdict. The message here should be clear: If you commit a crime in Houghton County, we will seek justice — and, if necessary, go to trial.”

After the verdict, Judge Fraser Strome revoked Makela’s bond and ordered him taken into the custody of the Houghton County Sheriff’s Department. Makela is also facing another investigation after a witness at trial indicated Makela had threatened to harm both her and the arresting officers if he was convicted. That investigation is ongoing, Helmer said. 

“Attempting to subvert the justice system, instead of your fair shake in court, is as abhorrent as it comes,” Helmer said. “I will not tolerate it, and assure the residents of Houghton County that this will be investigated and should he be charged — Mr. Makela will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Makela’s sentencing is scheduled for 1 p.m. Dec. 16.

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