News file photo Troy Wardlaw is pictured in the 26th Circuit Court in Alpena County. He is charged with one count of possession with intent to deliver 50 to 450 grams of cocaine and one count of weapons felony firearm.

ALPENA — Troy Wardlaw, 56, had a status conference hearing Monday in the 26th Circuit Court in Alpena, where Attorney Bill Pfeifer said that a resolution is yet to be reached.

Wardlaw is charged with one count of possession with intent to deliver 50 to 450 grams of cocaine and one count of weapons felony firearm.

Wardlaw allegedly possessed 425 grams of crack cocaine and over $2,000 cash when he was arrested on Sept. 28. That amount equates to approximately one pound of cocaine.

He was given a $50,000 cash or surety bond. If found guilty, Wardlaw could face imprisonment for not more than 20 years, a fine of not more than $250,000, or both.

Prosecuting Attorney Cynthia Muszynski said at Wardlaw’s arraignment in the 88th District Court last fall, that Wardlaw has allegedly made a lot of money off the addicts in the community.

Wardlaw posted bond and was released from jail on Oct. 6. He has since successfully completed 60 days in an addiction treatment facility, The News previously reported. Wardlaw waived preliminary examination on Dec. 2 in the 88th District Court and was then bound over to the 26th Circuit Court for Judge Ed Black to oversee the case from the bench.

At Wardlaw’s last hearing on May 5, Alpena County Prosecuting Attorney Cynthia Muszynski and Pfeifer agreed to set a trial date since a resolution is yet to be reached.

At Monday’s hearing, Pfeifer informed Judge Black that he had recently filed a motion to suppress evidence of firearm.

Judge Black asked whether there would need to be testimony given in arguing the motion.

Pfeifer responded that he did not think that would be the case, unless a factual issue is raised in the prosecution’s response. He said that the motion would only address count two, which is weapons felony firearm, and not count one.

Black set a time to hear oral arguments regarding the motion at 1:15 p.m. on July 6.

A jury trial for Wardlaw’s case is scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m. on July 22.

IN OTHER NEWS:

*Kevan Bennett, 49, was sentenced to six months in jail for probation violation. He will be released after 90 days in jail for residential treatment. If successfully completed, he will not have to serve the remainder of his jail sentence.

Reagan Voetberg can be reached at 989-358-5683 or rvoetberg@TheAlpenaNews.com.