UPDATE 1/30/2026: Suspect hit with more drug charges after investigation continues.
On Thursday, January 29, 2026, Masching was arraigned before Magistrate Ryan Zemke in Clinton Township’s 41B District Court. He was arraigned on the following charges:
- Controlled Substance – Possession (Cocaine, Heroin or other Narcotic) Less than 25 Grams, a 4-year felony
- Controlled Substance – Possession/analogues, a 2-year felony
- Controlled Substance – Possession (schedule 5 and Lsd, etc.), a 1-year misdemeanor
- Habitual Offender, 2nd Offense Notice, an aggravating sentencing factor
Magistrate Zemke set a $100,000 personal bond for Masching along with the requirement that he comply with the bond conditions set by Judge Suzanne Faunce in 37th District Court.
Also on Thursday, January 29, 2026, Masching appeared in the 39th District Court in Roseville. Masching was arraigned before Judge Joseph F. Boedeker on the following charges:
- Controlled Substance – Possession – (Cocaine, Heroin or other Narcotic) Less than 25 Grams, a 4-year felony
- Habitual Offender, 2nd Offense Notice, an aggravating sentencing factor
Judge Boedeker set a $5,000 personal bond with order to consume no drugs or alcohol and to comply with all other court’s bond conditions.
MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. — A 53-year-old Clinton Township man has been arraigned on a lengthy list of felony and misdemeanor charges following an alleged multi-day crime spree that ended with a wrong-way crash on I-94 in Detroit, according to the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office.
Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido announced that Joel Masching was formally arraigned after investigators allege a series of violent incidents, police pursuits, and drug-related offenses spanning several days in January.
According to authorities, the incidents began on January 11, 2026, when Masching allegedly assaulted a woman. Prosecutors say he later returned to the victim’s residence the same day, unlawfully entered the home, and assaulted her a second time. Police were called to the scene, but Masching allegedly fled before officers arrived.
On January 16, 2026, the victim reported that Masching was repeatedly calling her and driving across her lawn. Warren police officers later located him near 10 Mile Road and Schoenherr. Officers attempted a traffic stop with lights and sirens activated, but Masching allegedly refused to stop and fled. A high-speed pursuit followed before officers discontinued the chase near 9 Mile Road and I-94.
Two days later, on January 18, 2026, police again located Masching near 11 Mile Road and Schoenherr. Officers attempted to box in his vehicle using marked patrol cars. Prosecutors allege Masching backed into a police vehicle, then accelerated forward, forcing an officer who was outside their patrol unit to move out of the vehicle’s path to avoid being struck.
Police pursued Masching through Warren and into Detroit, where he allegedly disregarded traffic control devices, drove the wrong way on Conner Avenue, and entered an eastbound I-94 exit ramp in the wrong direction. Authorities say the pursuit ended when Masching crashed into vehicles exiting the freeway.
Investigators further allege that a search of Masching’s vehicle uncovered crack cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, ecstasy, alprazolam, and psychedelic mushrooms, along with scales and vials consistent with drug distribution. Additional search warrants were later executed at a Clinton Township residence and at a business in Fraser, Cornerstone Brick, where more controlled substances were allegedly discovered.
Masching was arraigned on January 20, 2026, before Judge Suzanne Faunce in the 37th District Court in Warren on the following charges:
• Delivery or manufacture of methamphetamine and ecstasy, 20-year felony
• Delivery or manufacture of methamphetamine, 20-year felony
• Delivery or manufacture of cocaine, heroin, or another narcotic under 50 grams, two counts, 20-year felonies
• Second-degree home invasion, 15-year felony
• Third-degree fleeing and eluding a police officer, 5-year felony
• Fourth-degree fleeing and eluding a police officer, 2-year felony
• Assaulting, resisting, or obstructing a police officer, 2-year felony
• Domestic violence, second offense, 1-year misdemeanor
• Habitual offender, second offense notice
Prosecutors say additional charges may be filed as the case continues.
Judge Faunce set Masching’s bond at $200,000 cash or surety. If released, he must wear a steel cuff GPS tether, refrain from using drugs or alcohol, and have no contact with the victim.
Masching is scheduled to appear for a probable cause conference on February 3, 2026, at 8:45 a.m. before Judge Michael Chupa in the 37th District Court.
“The conduct alleged in this case reflects an adult who was completely out of control and making reckless decisions that put a victim, law enforcement, and the public at risk,” Prosecutor Lucido said. “The allegations suggest volatile and dangerous behavior and a profound disregard for the safety of others and the rule of law.”
All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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