Man sentenced to up to 30 years in prison for running cocaine operation in U.P.

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette last Thursday announced Kenneth Brunke, 47, of Schoolcraft County, was sentenced to 225 to 360 months in prison. Brunke pleaded no contest to 3 felony counts related to the delivery of cocaine in March 2017.

"Mr. Brunke's drug crimes were very serious and his sentence today reflects that," said Schuette. "While no prison sentence will undo what happened in 2015, I hope this sentence provides some sense of closure to the local community and serves as a reminder that criminal activity comes with consequences."

In February 2016, Schoolcraft County prosecuting Attorney Timothy Noble filed drug charges against Brunke based on evidence obtained during a 2015 triple homicide investigation involving Brunke. The Attorney General's office was asked to assist with the drug case in May 2016. Brunke was sentenced last year in relation to that triple homicide that occurred at his home and is currently serving 40 to 60 months in prison.

Brunke pleaded no contest to one count of Controlled Substance Delivery / Manufacture (cocaine) 1,000 or more grams; one count of Conspiracy Controlled Substance Delivery / Manufacture (cocaine) 1,000 or more grams; and one count of Controlled Substance Delivery / Manufacture less than 50 grams and was sentenced to 225 months to 360 months in prison as well as fines and costs totaling over $500,000.00 for the two counts of more than 1,000 grams. Brunke was sentenced to 752 days for the Delivery less than 50 grams count.

Brunke was sentenced on Thursday, May 18, by Judge William Carmody in Schoolcraft County Circuit Court. Brunke's sentences will be served concurrently.

Published: Mon, May 22, 2017