Portage Township barricade suspect arraigned on felony charges

The Portage Township man who allegedly barricaded himself inside his home Monday morning was arraigned in Houghton County District Court today on multiple criminal charges.

Joel Michaelson, 28, is charged with one felony count of interfering with electronic communications and one count of domestic violence. The Houghton County Sheriff’s Office arrested Michaelson around 6:00 a.m. on Monday at a Bear Creek Road residence after a two hour stalemate. Police initially responded to the scene to investigate a report of domestic assault, but upon arrival, they discovered that Michaelson was armed with a gun.

Michaelson is now out of jail on a $3,000 cash bond. He is due back in court on May 14th for a preliminary exam.