Meth lab suspects arraigned
ISHPEMING — Two Ishpeming residents are facing felony meth charges after their arraignment in connection with last night’s meth bust.
In Ishpeming District Court, 37–year–old Thomas Damien Swick pleaded not guilty to two counts of maintaining a drug lab. His girlfriend, 26–year–old Tiffany Lauren Rushton, pleaded not guilty to one count of that same offense.
The Ishpeming Police and the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team raided the couple’s upstairs apartment at 213 East Euclid Street last night. The police agencies say they confiscated methamphetamine components.
“When the UPSET Team was about to leave (Wed. night), we were wrapping up the warrant, when the two people living in the apartment had actually come to the apartment,” said Ishpeming Police Chief Dan Willey, adding both suspects were then arrested “after interviewing them.”
“I don’t care, I’ll plead guilty to murder – I’ll plead guilty to murder just to get her (girlfriend and co–defendant Tiffany Rushton),” said meth lab suspect 37–year–old Thomas Damien Swick of Ishpeming to the district court judge during arraignment.
“She (Rushton) should not be in here (jail),” Swick said. “And her daughter should never be taken from her mother.”
Officials placed Rushton’s 4–year–old child with relatives.
The charges carry a maximum of 20 years in prison. The pair remain jailed on a $2,500 bond.