Coon and Lucchesi Receive Jail Time for Wetland Violation

Driving off-road vehicles through Great Lakes coastal wetlands on Drummond Island, disturbing osprey nesting habitat, has resulted in fines for Michael Edward Coon of Hancock and Michael Donald Lucchesi of Houghton.

Chippewa County District Court Judge Michael W. MacDonald accepted a guilty plea and sentenced Mr. Coon and Mr. Lucchesi to serve five days in jail and pay a fine of $2,500 plus $155 in court costs and fees in connection with illegal dredging and filling of state regulated wetlands, it was announced February 4.

Judge MacDonald ordered the defendants to file with the court a plan to restore the wetland areas to their original condition in accordance with Department of Environmental Quality requirements, and to have the plan completed by June 30.

The defendants are required to provide a letter to the residents of Drummond Island through a local newspaper regarding the violation and terms of their sentence.