31-year Millersburg woman and two 17-year-olds have been charged
PRESQUE ISLE CO., MI -- An investigation into stolen guns in Presque Isle County has taken an unusual twist.
Police learned one of the teens involved was having an illegal sexual relationship with a local school employee.
The school employee, a 31-year old Millersburg woman, was a contracted student success worker in the Onaway School District.
Her victim, a 17-year old boy, was her student.
Several agencies were investigating a gun theft in Onaway, and as they were working that case, this relationship surfaced.
Now, both the woman and the teen face charges.
Last month, Parrott's Outpost in downtown Onaway was broken into. 15 handguns were stolen. The investigation began. Several agencies assisted in the search. Police went undercover and recovered 14 of the 15 stolen guns.
"We’ve got the people involved, they've been charged, and now it's just up to the court system," said Onaway Police Chief James Gibson.
Two men, both 17 years old, were arrested in connection to the gun theft. One of the suspects hasn't been arraigned yet, the other has.
17 year old Ronald Guenther was originally charged with one count of Receiving and Concealing Stolen Property. In his arraignment Wednesday, he was charged with 11 counts, including six counts Weapons-Firearms-Receiving and Concealing, two counts Felon in Possession of Firearm, one count Conspiracy to Commit Weapon-Firearm-Receiving and Concealing, two counts Felony Firearm, and one count of Possession of Marijuana. He’s being held on $250,000 bond and his preliminary trial has been set for March 29th.
“Sometimes we gather information to other things that don't pertain to what we're doing, and that's what happened in this case," said Gibson.
As investigators were pursuing the recovery of the stolen guns, that's when they stumbled upon something else.
"We have a student-teacher relationship where there was actual penetration," said D/Sgt. Mike Hahn, the Huron Undercover Narcotics Team, or HUNT.
HUNT found one of the 17-year-old suspects in the gun case was a victim of Criminal Sexual Conduct.
31-year-old Debra Russ of Millersburg was a contracted student success worker under the Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency, or NEMCSA. She was working in the Onaway Public Schools and at Presque Isle Academy and met one of the 17-year-olds. While supervising, she also acquired guardianship and power of attorney over the teen.
"Michigan Law specifies that it's unlawful for any teacher or employee of the school district to have any sexual relationship with any student," said Hahn.
Russ has been charged with third degree Criminal Sexual Conduct.
NEMCSA has fired Russ because of Gross Misconduct.
Onaway Police believe they'll find the final gun.
As for the other individual involved with the breaking and entering, the courts say he'll be arraigned soon.
