Marquette Township meth suspect enters guilty plea

MARQUETTE — A man arrested on meth charges at the beginning of the year entered a guilty plea in Marquette County Circuit Court.

32–year–old Michael Hill of Marquette pleaded guilty to one count of operating or maintaining a meth lab. Given the plea agreement, other charges pending against Hill will be dismissed. The count Hill pleaded to carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.

Hill was arrested after police discovered meth production components at a trash can fire at the Imperial Motel in Marquette Township on New Year’s Day.

“When you say you were operating a meth lab, do you mean that you, at your home, had all the components to make methamphetamine and did in fact make methamphetamine?” asked Marquette County Circuit Court Judge Jennifer Mazzuchi.

In reply, Hill said, “Yes, your honor.”

“And did you do that on or about January 1st of this year in Marquette Township?” Mazzuchi questioned.

“Yes, your honor,” said Hill.

Hill will be sentenced April 24th.