A Menominee Man Faces Life in Prison Following Guilty Verdicts

Menominee County Prosecuting Attorney Jeffrey T. Rogg announced Friday that a jury returned guilty verdicts against Michael John-Robert Bertrand, 38, of Menominee, after a three-day trial in the 41st Circuit Court this week. Bertrand was convicted by a jury of Home Invasion Second Degree, False Report of a Felony and Malicious Destruction of Property. Bertrand faces a sentence of up to life in prison, as a Habitual Fourth Offender. According to court documents and information presented at the trial, on May 23, 2022, a citizen reported to the Menominee County Sheriff’s Office (“MCSO”) that someone had broken in to his home in Stephenson and stolen property valued in excess of $7,000. MCSO Deputies identified a distinctive orange Chevrolet Cobalt registered to Bertrand, as well as documents bearing Bertrand’s name, at the scene. Bertrand subsequently and falsely reported to police the Chevrolet Cobalt had been stolen. An accomplice testified against Bertrand at the trial in exchange for a reduced charge. That witness told the jury about committing the crimes and described in detail Bertrand’s “leadership role” in them. Bertrand was on active parole for a prior felony conviction at the time of the commission of his new offenses, having been released from prison only three months prior.“I’m incredibly proud of my prosecution team, led by Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Gerald Karafa, in delivering this result for the community. Mr. Bertrand has been preying upon the citizens of Menominee for years, and has learned nothing from his prior prison commitment,” says Rogg. Bertrand’s sentencing is scheduled for October 22, 2023.