Two Wilson residents indicted on assault charges

MARQUETTE — Two Wilson residents have been indicted by a grand jury on assault charges, according to a press release from United States Attorney Andrew Birge. Connie Margaret Metzger and Margaret Sue Hardwick, both of Wilson, have both been charged with assaulting a federal officer.

The indictment alleges that on October 7th, 2017, Metzger used a dangerous weapon, her vehicle, to forcibly assault, resist, oppose, impede and interfere with a Hannahville Tribal Police Officer while he was engaged in the performance of his official duties. The indictment further alleged that, on the same date, Metzger punched a Michigan State Trooper while he was engaged in the performance of his official duties.

Metzger is charged with two counts. If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in federal prison on the first count and up to eight years in federal prison on the second count.

Margaret Sue Hardwick, according to the indictment, has been charged with one count of assaulting a federal officer. The indictment alleges that on October 7th, 2017, Hardwick forcibly assaulted, resisted, opposed, impeded and interfered with a Hannahville Tribal Police Officer while he was engaged in the performance of his official duties by punching him in the face.

If convicted, Hardwick faces up to eight years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.

The matter was investigated by the Hannahville Tribal Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hannah N. Bobee.

The charges in an indictment are merely accusations, and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.