Steve A. Martin, 69, Charlevoix, was sentenced to serve a minimum of 39 months in prison this afternoon in the 33rd Circuit Court. Martin pleaded guilty on March 4 to possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony and two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Emmet County Circuit Judge Jennifer Deegan, sitting in Charlevoix County by assignment, sentenced Martin to serve 15 months to five years on the felon in possession charges and two years on the felony/firearm charge.

The felon in possession of a firearm sentences will run concurrent to each other but consecutive to the felony/firearm charge, meaning Martin’s maximum sentence will be seven years in prison, however, he will be eligible for parole after serving 39 months. He received credit for 170 days already served.

According to an affidavit filed in the case, police were informed on October 15, 2021 that Martin had been at the Dunham’s Sporting Goods store in Petoskey talking about purchasing a scope for a rifle he owned. In 2016, Martin was convicted of assault with a dangerous weapon and sent to prison for attempting to run over a police officer with his vehicle.

Based upon the information, on October 18, police obtained a search warrant for Martin’s home and outbuildings where they located and seized 14 firearms, ammunition and parts for additional firearms.

Martin was initially charged as a habitual offender, fourth, because of the felonious assault conviction as well as two prior convictions for attempting to resisting and obstruct a police officer. In pronouncing the sentence, Deegan noted that Martin displayed a disregard for the law that is a threat to society and as such, the sentence focused on punishment and the protection of society.

The case was investigated by the Charlevoix County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Charlevoix County Prosecuting Attorney Allen Telgenhof.