OGEMAW COUNTY — An 18-year-old Saginaw man was arrested in Ogemaw County after Michigan State Police said asked undercover detectives for a ride to complete a drug delivery. Leon Pritchett was taken into custody on March 2 at a gas station on M-33.
The arrest was the result of a coordinated investigation between the Huron Undercover Narcotics Team (HUNT) and Michigan State Police. During a search, authorities recovered 25.4 grams of fentanyl, 7.7 grams of powder cocaine and 6.8 grams of suspected crack cocaine.
The investigation began on Feb. 22 after Pritchett allegedly reached out to HUNT detectives on social media. According to investigators the suspect attempted to sell narcotics to the undercover officers. On March 2, Pritchett contacted the detectives again to request a ride to Alpena. He told the undercover officers he needed transportation to deliver drugs because his own vehicle had been impounded. Detectives arranged to meet Pritchett at a gas station on M-33 in Ogemaw County. Troopers from the Michigan State Police West Branch Post assisted with the meeting and took Pritchett into custody without incident. Pritchett was arraigned on March 4 in the 82nd District Court in Ogemaw County. He faces two counts of controlled substance delivery or manufacture involving cocaine, heroin or other narcotics. He is also charged with one count of manufacturing or distribution of an imitation controlled substance.
Pritchett is still in the Ogemaw County Jail. He is held on a $50,000 cash or surety bond and is scheduled for his next court appearance on March 12 at 9:00 a.m.
HUNT is a multijurisdictional task force composed of local, state and federal entities. The team provides narcotics enforcement services for Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency and Presque Isle counties. Suspected drug activity can be reported to the task force by calling 989-356-3395.