Man sentenced to 10-60 years in prison for fentanyl death.

Michael Martinez with his attorney James Kiebel.

Man sentenced to 10-60 years in prison for fentanyl death.

#MasonCountyCrime

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

LUDINGTON — A 34-year-old Sheridan Township man was sentenced to 10-60 years in prison Tuesday, Jan. 28, in 51st Circuit Court for a conviction of delivery of fentanyl causing death and third-offense habitual offender in connection to the death of Katie Lynn Fulton, 35, of Ludington.

Michael Thomas Martinez, of 4513 North Benson Rd. pleaded guilty to the charge, Nov. 12.

Fulton died from an accidental drug overdose of heroin and fentanyl, Nov. 30, 2018, in the City of Ludington.

Charges of delivery of a controlled substance less than 50 grams and maintaining a drug house were dismissed in exchange for Martinez’s plea, and his fourth-offense habitual offender status was reduced to the third-offense.

Martinez, who was on probation at the time of the commission of the offense, has an extensive criminal history including nine felonies and 11 misdemeanors, said Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola. “He has struggled with controlled substances his entire adult life,” Spaniola said.

“This defendant was involved in a delivery of heroin and fentanyl in which Katie Fulton died. The defendant and his girlfriend (Neta Margett Sohn) were acting in concert.”

Co-defendant Sohn, 34, was sentenced to four and a half to 20 years in prison, Jan. 14, in connection to Fulton’s death. Sohn, whose address is the same is Martinez’s, pleaded guilty, Dec. 3, to delivery of fentanyl less than 50 grams. Charges of delivery of a controlled substance causing death and maintaining a drug house were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

Jeremy Jason Bonneau, 45, of 610 N. James St. — the address where Fulton died, pleaded guilty last June to heroin possession less than 25 grams and was ordered to serve six months up front of a one-year discretionary jail term.

Heather Elizabeth Sobers, 24, of 694 Kahill Dr., Baldwin, pleaded guilty to a high-court misdemeanor of maintaining a drug house in connection to Fulton’s death, Spaniola said.

Sentencing guidelines in Martinez’s case are 126-315 months.

His criminal record stems from his drug use, said defense attorney James Kiebel. “It took this to open his eyes to realize he needs to make a change in his life when he gets out of jail,” Kiebel said.

“Looking at the circumstances of this case, it’s an extremely sad situation,” said Judge Susan K. Sniegowski. “To say it’s unfortunate is an understatement.

“I don’t believe you intended for Miss Fulton to die,” Judge Sniegowksi said. “However, it is is a very known risk. In this case, it led to the death of another person. You’re very lucky it did not result in the death of another person.”

Martinez received credit for 334 days served in jail.

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