TRIDENT nails two locals and a visitor on 21 combined felony drug charges. Sheriff issues Public Notice

The Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office issued a statement today reporting on the activity of the Tri-County Drug Enforcement Team (TRIDENT). They’ve reported that over the past few weeks several drug overdoses have been reported in our area. One of which resulted in the death of a young Sault Ste Marie man.

Trident detectives are assisting the Sault Ste. Marie PD on the investigation into that death.

TRIDENT has been investigating a group of people believed to be selling Methamphetamine and Cocaine which was thought to be mixed with Fentanyl. TRIDENT had information that Clyde’s take-out restaurant in Kincheloe, Mich. was the base of this operation. TRIDENT gained some valuable information during the investigation of the death.

Adding this new information to what they already had, on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023 TRIDENT, Sault Ste Marie PD, and the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office conducted three search warrants involving the group mentioned above. One search warrant was executed in Sault Ste. Marie and two were executed in Kincheloe, Mich.

At one of the search warrants in Kincheloe, Mich., three suspects were all found at the local take-out restaurant, owned by one of the suspects.

Detectives found a large amount of Cocaine and Methamphetamine suspected to be laced with fentanyl. Detectives also found a loaded handgun and other evidence such as a digital scale, baggies, and U.S. Currency.

Three suspects were arrested on site:

Joshua Allen O’Connor – 36 yr old Kincheloe resident who has been charged with the following:

1- Delivery of Methamphetamine FELONY
2- Delivery of Cocaine FELONY
3- Weapons, Firearm possession by Felon FELONY
4- Weapons, Possession FELONY
5- Felony Firearm FELONY
6- Conspiracy to Deliver Methamphetamine FELONY
7- Conspiracy to Deliver Cocaine FELONY

Mr. O’Connor is a 4th Offense Habitual Offender

Brian Thomas Neilson – 36 yr old Kincheloe resident was charged with the following:

1- Delivery of Methamphetamine FELONY
2- Delivery of Cocaine FELONY
3- Weapons, Firearm possession by Felon FELONY
4- Weapons, Possession FELONY
5- Felony Firearm FELONY
6- Conspiracy to Deliver Methamphetamine FELONY
7- Conspiracy to Deliver Cocaine FELONY
Mr. Neilson is a 4th Offense Habitual Offender

Brian Antonio Hicks – 34 yr old Inkster MI resident was charged with the following;

1- Delivery of Methamphetamine FELONY
2- Delivery of Cocaine FELONY
3- Weapons, Firearm possession by Felon FELONY
4- Weapons, Possession FELONY
5- Felony Firearm FELONY
6- Conspiracy to Deliver Methamphetamine FELONY
7- Conspiracy to Deliver Cocaine FELONY
Mr. Hicks is a 4th Offense Habitual Offender

All three were lodged in the Chippewa County Correctional Facility. All three have been arraigned in the 91st District court, Chippewa County.

Detectives are continuing the investigation into the overdose death and more arrests or charges are expected. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.

Trident was also assisted by U.S.Border Patrol K-9 unit, Homeland Security Investigations, Kinross P.D. and Central Dispatch.

PUBLIC NOTICE:

TRIDENT, Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office, and Sault Ste Marie PD would like to warn the public that we continue to see Cocaine, Heroin and Methamphetamine laced with fentanyl in our area.

TRIDENT also has information that there are counterfeit oxycodone tablets in the Chippewa County area. These tablets are blue in color and marked with “M-30”. These tablets also contain fentanyl.

Fentanyl continues to be a great danger to those using illegal narcotics, all first responders and anyone that may accidentally encounter it.