FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Prosecutor Tim Rutkowski, 989.269.9255
On Wednesday morning a Huron County jury of seven men and five women found James Thomas-Nevels guilty of Resisting and Obstructing a Police Officer (R&O). The jury deliberated for approximately 30 minutes on Tuesday evening and then another 2 hours on Wednesday morning before finding Thomas-Nevels, 31, guilty of one count of R&O involving Harbor Beach Chief Todd Bucholtz and on a second charge of R&O involving another officer, the jury was declared hung—they were unable to reach a decision. R&O is a 2-year felony.
During the Trial
The jury trial was held on August 21, 2024, with deliberations continuing into the next day before the Honorable Donald A. Teeple, a retired visiting judge from Sanilac County. Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney David J. Wallace called three witnesses for the people: two law enforcement officers and the manager of the apartment complex where the crime occurred. Chief Bucholtz testified that on September 29, 2023, he was dispatched to the Harbor House apartment complex regarding an unwanted male on the property who was identified as the defendant.
After speaking with everyone present, the Chief did a LEIN (Law Enforcement Information Network) search on the defendant which indicated that there was an outstanding arrest warrant. The Chief informed the defendant of the arrest, and upon hearing about the warrant, the defendant ran away for approximately 5 yards, stopped and then stated he was not going to run any further. However, when the officers tried to handcuff him, he resisted, not putting his hands behand his back. The defendant, the Chief, and a sergeant with the Huron County Sheriff’s Department went to the ground where the officers continued their efforts to handcuff the defendant. After struggling with the officers for a couple of minutes, the defendant was finally handcuffed and placed in a patrol car.
The jury heard from the two officers who testified about the struggle and their efforts to handcuff the defendant. The jury was also able watch two separate videos, one from the Chief’s body cam, and the other video the property manager recorded on her cell phone after she saw the Chief’s body cam come off his uniform during the struggle.
Habitual Offender
After the guilty verdict, the Court was provided certified records of Thomas-Nevels’ criminal history with at least four prior felony convictions, including one for unarmed robbery and three for delivery of controlled substances. With those four prior felony convictions, the Defendant is considered a Habitual Offender which increases the possible maximum penalty to 15 years in prison. Previously, the Defendant was convicted by a jury of Absconding on a Bond, on May 28, 2024.
Judge Teeple scheduled sentencing for Thomas-Nevels on Monday, October 21, 2024, at 9 a.m.
