ELMWOOD TWP (WWJ) -- A year-long investigation into drugs discovered in a Northern Michigan home led to the arrest of five members of an organized distribution ring.
In January 2022, sheriff's deputies from Leelanau County reached out to the Traverse Narcotics Team (TNT) after locating drugs in a home in Elmwood Township.
The Leelanau County prosecutor's office also issued an arrest for the owner of the residence, 47-year-old Ricard Roman, Jr.
TNT obtained a search warrant by the end of the year. Officers executed a search warrant and took Roman into custody on Dec. 14, 2022.
In Roman's home, law enforcement found 79 grams of cocaine.
Roman has since been charged with multiple counts of drug possession and possession with intent to deliver. He also stands accused of maintaining a drug house and conducting a criminal enterprise.
If tried and convicted, Roman could spend up to 20 years in prison for the most serious felony offenses. He remains housed in the Leelanau County Jail.
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During the investigation into Roman, TNT detectives were able to identify and arrest four other members of the defendant's drug organization.
The following have now been charged with conducting a criminal enterprise, a felony that carries a potential sentence of 20 years in prison:
- Jose Luis Roman, 39, of Northport
- Katie Lynn Williams, 32, of Traverse City
- Abigail Churchill Kinney, 38, Traverse City
- Shane Wesley Hoffman, 31, Traverse City
Each is being held on a $25,000 bond.
TNT was assisted in their investigation by the Leelanau County Sheriff's Office, the Michigan State Police Houghton Lake Post K9 team, and members of the MSP Seventh District Emergency Support Team.
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