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Posted on Fri, Dec 9, 2011 : 12:16 p.m.

Two plead guilty to Ann Arbor home break-ins, may serve up to 15 years in prison

By Kyle Feldscher

Johnson_Metro.jpg

Michael Johnson and Bonnie Metro

The man and woman accused of breaking into four homes in Ann Arbor on Aug. 1 and stealing electronics have pleaded guilty to home invasion charges.

Michael Johnson, and Bonnie Metro, both of Ypsilanti, pleaded guilty to four counts of second-degree home invasion Wednesday in front of Washtenaw County Trial Court Judge Archie Brown.

Metro admitted to breaking into four homes with Johnson and stealing a TV from one home and electronics from two others.

“I entered the home behind my co-defendant Michael Johnson and took stuff from the bedrooms,” Metro said through tears to Brown during the hearing.

Metro, 43, and Johnson said they broke into four homes between 9:45 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on Aug. 1 before they were arrested. The homes were located in the 300 block of East Jefferson Street, the 800 block of Greenwood Avenue, the 900 block of Oakland Avenue and the 1000 block of Oakwood Avenue. Johnson was 31 at the time of the crimes.

Metro and Johnson were arrested at about 12:30 p.m. on Aug. 1 on Oakland Avenue as Ann Arbor police officers responded to one of the break-ins.

Ann Arbor police said at the time that residents were home at two of the houses.

Each count of second-degree home invasion carries a maximum of 15 years in prison and a $3,000 fine.

Both Johnson and Metro faced a total of 10 charges. The other six original charges will be dropped at the time of sentencing, according to the plea agreement reached with Washtenaw County prosecutors.

Metro and Johnson’s attorneys both reached sentencing agreements with Brown as well. Metro will serve between four years and four months and 15 years in prison, according to the agreement. Johnson will serve between six-and-a-half years and 15 years in prison, according to the agreement.

Metro will be sentenced at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 18 and Johnson will be sentenced at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 29.

Washtenaw County prosecutors also promised they would not charge Johnson and Metro in outstanding Ann Arbor police investigations in which they are also suspects. Washtenaw County Assistant Prosecutor Dianna Collins notified Brown she would contact the detective working the case and tell him to submit evidence to prosecutors for review.

Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.

Comments

nonurbusinez

Sun, Dec 11, 2011 : 1:04 p.m.

Great job Officer Brett Hansen!

justcurious

Sat, Dec 10, 2011 : 3:38 a.m.

How will their sentences compare with a drunk driver who kills someone? That is the question. For one local case we will find out in April - maybe.

mohomed

Sat, Dec 10, 2011 : 1:49 a.m.

Guidelines will determine their fate but chances are if there is no habitual they will just to some jail time not prison and go on probation and then robe about 20 more homes before their caught again. This is usually how this works in the Circuit Court's.

mohomed

Sat, Dec 10, 2011 : 2:05 a.m.

Oh I see the minimum is for prison. Well then count on the MDOC giving them parole ASAP when they serve their minimum sentence. That is how the MDOC works. Save money before justice and publice safety, that should be the MDOC's motto, LOL.

bedrog

Fri, Dec 9, 2011 : 10:08 p.m.

The sense of violation of privacy should have a price tag and stiffen the penalty. Good lord, even a well known local antisemite has conned the ACLU into factoring his "emotional anguish" (at having a poisonous ad rejected by the AATA ) as part of a suit against the AATA, per several lengthy a2.com threads.. Welcome to our local judicial version of 'Alice in wonderland".

craigjjs

Fri, Dec 9, 2011 : 7:40 p.m.

Embezzlement is a very different crime from breaking into and robbing an occupied home. It is not just about the value of the stolen items.

jcj

Sat, Dec 10, 2011 : 8:05 p.m.

should have read 15 years

jcj

Fri, Dec 9, 2011 : 8:41 p.m.

No argument on that. But 1 years seems a little harsh when some in this area have gotten MUCH less for attempted murder.

jcj

Fri, Dec 9, 2011 : 7:21 p.m.

a former Scio Township firefighter, pleaded no contest to one felony count of embezzling between $50,000 and $100,000 last year. Brown sentenced him to one year in jail, with a minimum of 60 days to be served, A Chelsea woman who stole more than $900,000 while serving as bookkeeper of youth hockey leagues was recently released on parole Kimberly Knight, 47, was discharged from the Huron Valley Women's Complex in Pittsfield Township last week after serving six months of a 2 to 15-year prison sentence for embezzlement.

justcurious

Sat, Dec 10, 2011 : 3:36 a.m.

Thanks for the reminder of the easy time embezzlers have. No wonder so many do it.

thecompound

Fri, Dec 9, 2011 : 7:10 p.m.

Just think, if they would have just stolen from their place of employment, they wouldn't have any jail time.

jcj

Fri, Dec 9, 2011 : 7:01 p.m.

The fact that they admitted their guilt should not make the penalty stiffer! If they had denied their guilt and were ultimately convicted should they serve less time? I think not. Some of you seem to think because they admitted their guilt they should therefore serve the maximum time. I contend they should serve an appropriate time but the fact that they admitted guilt should not mean the automatically serve more time than someone that is found guilty after a trial.

Barb

Fri, Dec 9, 2011 : 6:40 p.m.

You do realize that court and incarceration costs money, right? Do you also realize where Michigan is compared to other states in this game? Not a very good place. There is no doubt that we should be looking for alternatives. Especially for non-violent types.

Macabre Sunset

Sat, Dec 10, 2011 : 7:09 p.m.

You do realize that the crimes career criminals commit cost everyone money, right? It's far cheaper in the long run to identify the career criminals and keep them locked up. If they broke into your home, would you still want to seek alternatives to jail? If you don't jail criminals, criminals learn they can commit more crime without risk.

Sallyxyz

Fri, Dec 9, 2011 : 6:18 p.m.

I also do not understand plea bargains. They were caught, they admitted guilt, and they need to serve the 15 years. End of story. Oh, I forgot. This is Washtenaw County, home of slap on the wrist justice. Of course they are not charged in additional crimes in Washtenaw Cty: "Washtenaw County prosecutors also promised they would not charge Johnson and Metro in outstanding Ann Arbor police investigations in which they are also suspects." All criminals take note: come to Washtenaw County to commit your crimes! You will get a light sentence, if any, and then not be charged for your additional crimes!

M

Fri, Dec 9, 2011 : 5:56 p.m.

I will never understand pleas bargains. These people were caught red-handed and admitted to their crime. Lock them up as long as possible and keep them the hell away from me and my family.

RJA

Sat, Dec 10, 2011 : 1:59 a.m.

I have to agree with you M!