TriDent arrests local man in jail smuggling, drugs, weapons charges

SAULT STE MARIE, MI — Chippewa County Sheriff Mike Bitnar reports that a Sheriff’s Dept employee was approached to smuggle narcotics into the county Correctional Facility.  The employee reported this contact to the administration and then cooperated with the TriDent taskforce.

TriDent investigated the complaint and on December 2, Thomas Rogers delivered narcotics and cash to TriDent with the help of the employee.  This delivery occurred in a business parking lot in Kincheloe, MI. After the delivery was made, Mr. Rogers was greeted with an arrest.

A subsequent search warrant was conducted at Mr. Rogers’ residence and resulted in the seizure of Methamphetamine, Suboxone, a loaded unregistered handgun and a loaded AR style semi-auto rifle.

Thomas Wayne Rogers, age 26 of Kincheloe, was charged with several counts including 1-Possession of Methamphetamine, 2-Delivery of Suboxone, 3-Conspiracy to Deliver Suboxone, 4- Attempted to furnish Narcotics to prisoner, 5-Conspiracy to furnish narcotics to prisoner, 6-Possission w/ intent to deliver suboxone, 7-Possession of firearm by felon, 8-Felony firearm, 9-Possession of ammunition by felon.

Oh, Rogers is also a Habitual Offender 3^rd Offense.

The investigation continues and further arrests and charges are still pending.

Rogers was arraigned in the 91^st District Court on December 3.