Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By RICHARD JENKINS
Ironwood — An Ironwood man will have to serve two and a half years in prison after being sentenced in Gogebic County Circuit Court Tuesday.
Michael David Zupan, 32, was sentenced to between six months and 10 years in prison for each of two counts of receiving and concealing stolen firearms.
He was also sentenced to two years in prison for possessing a firearm while committing a felony.
“The materials that were stolen here weren’t just TVs, appliances and other things of a personal nature, they were firearms, which in themselves are — in the wrong hands — a threat to our peaceful society,” Judge Michael Pope said. “Of course … the receipt of stolen merchandise is also an invasion of the privacy so many of us in this community enjoy.
“We live in a community where we feel safe and most of us don’t lock our doors. We trust our neighbors will not being going through our belongings,” Pope said.
While Zupan will serve the two receiving and concealing sentences concurrently, state law requires the mandatory two-year sentence for possessing a firearm while committing a felony be completed before the other sentences can begin.
A jury convicted Zupan of the three felonies in September.
During the trial, the jury heard Zupan was charged with accepting at least two guns stolen during a Jan. 18 break-in at an Erwin Township house. While those involved in the break-in testified they brought all of the approximately 13 stolen guns to Zupan’s house, he was only charged with receiving an antique Savage .22 rifle and .375 Winchester Model 94 Big Bore rifle authorities seized when executing a search warrant the day after the break-in.
Pope noted while imposing his sentence while the crimes Zupan was convicted of were very serious, he lacked a criminal record and otherwise appeared to be an upstanding citizen.
“We have an individual who this was the first time (he was) arrested, no prior convictions for any felonies, misdemeanors or even a juvenile record. Thirty-four years old and by all accounts was able to maintain employment. Also, (you) have a daughter. … (You) also graduated from high school and have three vocational certificates,” Pope said. “You’ve proven through your 34 years of life you can be a productive member of this community and a valued member of this community.”
Zupan received credit for 46 days already served in jail prior to sentencing.
Pope said he had to balance the seriousness of the crime with Zupan’s lack of criminal history.
Three others have been charged in connection with the Erwin Township break-in. Aubrey Dean Cummins and Donald Lollar were involved in the break-in, while Justin Paul Orlich testified he became involved in the situation after the guns were at Zupan’s residence, informing the others the police may be coming and helping Zupan move the guns.
Cummins, 19, pleaded guilty in June to receiving and concealing firearms and second-degree home invasion. He was sentenced to to between five and 15 years in prison for the home invasion charge and between two and 10 years in prison for receiving and concealing stolen firearms.
Lollar, 32, was sentenced in July to between 3.5 years and 15 years in prison for one count of second-degree home invasion and time served for one count of larceny of a firearm.
Orlich, 32, is facing charges of receiving and concealing stolen firearms, being a felon in possession of a weapon and felony firearm. He pleaded guilty to receiving and concealing stolen firearms Monday and is scheduled to be sentenced to Dec. 11.