MANISTEE (WWJ) -- A Northern Michigan man has been arrested and charged with stalking and other crimes after it's alleged he'd been harassing police and other local government employees.
The investigation began back in May, according to Michigan State Police, when the MSP Traverse City Post got a complaint from a local multi-jurisdictional narcotics team about a man who was excessively calling the office.
It's alleged, MSP said, that 46-year-old Ryan Welsh King of Benzonia — a village just southwest of Traverse City — was leaving "vulgar messages" for police, and making claims of police corruption.
Police said King was told by the narcotics team commander to stop contacting the office, but that didn't deter him.
Detectives documented and saved numerous voicemails and phone conversations from King, MSP said, while investigators found that he'd also been sending vulgar emails and calling other government entities in Benzie County.
A report was submitted to the Benzie County Prosecutor’s Office, a warrant was issued, and King was arrested last week.
He was arraigned in 85th District Court in Benzie County on the following charge: one count of Aggravated Stalking, one count of Using a Computer to Commit a Crime, one count of Malicious Use of Telecommunications Device, one count of False Report of Misdemeanor, and one count of Habitual Offender - Third Offense.
Michigan Department of Corrections records show King has two previous stalking-related convictions in Benzie, dating back to 2017.
Bond was set at $100,000, and King's next court appearance was scheduled for September 25.
More on today's top stories: