Skandia man facing federal firearm charge

A Skandia man who allegedly broke into an unoccupied residence near his home with a shotgun in hand in February is now facing a federal firearm charge.

Joseph Etheridge, 36, was indicted in July in U.S. District Court in Marquette.  He is charged with one count of felon in possession of a firearm.  Etheridge stood mute at his arraignment last week and entered a not guilty plea.

Etheridge was facing one felony firearm around in Marquette County Circuit Court and was scheduled for a trial, but the prosecution dropped the charge.

Michigan State Police from the Negaunee Post say Etheridge broke into a vacant house on Yalmer Road in Skandia while armed, before troopers eventually talked him into coming out peacefully.

He is currently lodged in the Marquette County Jail with no bond and will appear in court for a pretrial in September.