HOUGHTON (WWJ) — A former police officer in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula who once served on a narcotics enforcement team has been sentenced to jail for possession of methamphetamine.
On Monday Scott Monette of Chassell Township — about 10 miles south of Houghton — was sentenced to 90 days in jail and 18 months of probation after pleading guilty last month, Attorney General Dana Nessel announced.
Monette, 55, resigned from the Houghton City Police Department and has agreed not to renew his MCOLES certification, a prerequisite for employment as a police officer in Michigan. Other conditions of Monette’s probation include drug testing and counseling, Nessel’s office said.
Monette had been working as a police officer in Houghton when allegations of meth possession and use came to light in 2021.
He also previously served on the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team (UPSET), tasked with narcotics enforcement across all 15 counties of the Upper Peninsula. Monette, however, had ceased his role with UPSET by the time the allegations were made.
Michigan State Police began investigating in July 2021 after the Houghon UPSET office received a tip that he was using and possessing meth.
Investigators eventually found meth and smoking pipes with his DNA on them inside his home. He pleaded guilty to one count of possession of meth on Jan. 3 of this year.
“Crimes committed by police officers harm not only the communities they swore to protect and serve, but also trust in law enforcement everywhere,” said Nessel. “Our chief goal in this prosecution was to ensure Monette’s law enforcement career was over, and with this plea and sentence we were able to secure that, for not only the people of Houghton but the entire State as well.”