Saginaw, MI – An 18-year-old Saginaw man is facing felony narcotics charges after authorities say he unknowingly attempted to sell drugs to undercover investigators and later asked them for a ride to complete a delivery.
According to investigators, detectives with the Huron Undercover Narcotics Team (HUNT) began a narcotics investigation on February 22 after the suspect contacted them on social media offering to sell drugs. Authorities identified the suspect as Leon Pritchett, 18, of Saginaw.
Police said Pritchett reached out to undercover detectives again on March 2, this time asking for a ride to Alpena to deliver narcotics because his vehicle had been impounded. Detectives coordinated with troopers from the Michigan State Police West Branch Post and arranged to meet him at a gas station along M-33 in Ogemaw County, where he was taken into custody.
During a search, troopers said they recovered approximately 6.8 grams of suspected crack cocaine, 7.7 grams of powder cocaine, and 25.4 grams of fentanyl.
Pritchett was lodged at the Ogemaw County Jail without incident.
He was arraigned March 4 in 82nd District Court in Ogemaw County on two counts of Delivery/Manufacture of Cocaine, Heroin, or Other Narcotic and one count of Imitation Controlled Substance – Manufacturing or Distribution.
The court set a $50,000 cash or surety bond, and Pritchett is scheduled to appear in court again March 12 at 9:00 a.m.
Authorities say the investigation involved detectives from the Huron Undercover Narcotics Team (HUNT) with assistance from the Michigan State Police West Branch Post.
HUNT is a multijurisdictional narcotics task force made up of state, local, and federal agencies serving Alpena, Alcona, Presque Isle, and Montmorency counties.
Officials say anyone with information about suspected drug activity in those counties can contact HUNT confidentially at 989-356-3395.
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