YPSILANTI TWP (WWJ) -- A man is facing some disturbing charges after allegedly disposing of dead bodies improperly at a crematory in Ypsilanti Township.
O’Neil Swanson, owner of Tri-County Cremation Services, L.L.C. located on E. Michigan Ave, was arraigned on Monday by Washtenaw County District Court via Zoom, according to his attorney.
He was charged with one count of improper disposal of dead bodies, which is a felony that could result in a maximum of 10 years behind bars and a fine of $50,000.
The Attorney General’s Office began investigating Swanson over the summer after the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) issued a cease and desist letter against Tri-County Cremation on June 4.
Reports said that bodies at the crematory were not being stored properly, resulting in bodily fluids leaking onto the floor.
LARA officials confirmed that all of the bodies that were being held at the facility when it was shut down were either cremated or removed by June 24.
“The allegations against Mr. Swanson are incredibly disturbing, and my heart breaks for those who trusted him to care for their deceased loved ones,” Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said. “We are committed to ensuring there is criminal accountability in this case.”
Swanson was previously stripped of his mortuary license in 2018 due to similar health and safety violations at Swanson Funeral Home in Flint, making him a repeat offender.
Conditions at the Flint facility reportedly included maggots on the floor, unrefrigerated bodies kept in the garage without temperature control, and a building “that smelled of decomposing bodies."
Though Swanson should not have been able to purchase another cemetery or crematory after losing his license, LARA alleges he and Dianne Swanson obtained Tri-County Cremation in March 2020 without proper certification.
The Attorney General’s Office continues to investigate Swanson and his associates over those violations.
Swanson was given a $5,000 personal recognizance bond. A probable cause conference is scheduled for October 14.
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