Police & Fire: Embezzlement plea; fire investigation

Trace Christenson | Battle Creek Enquirer

EMBEZZLEMENT PLEA: A 61-year-old Dowling man has entered pleas to embezzlement six years ago while working as executive director of the former Legion Villa in Springfield. Michael Campbell pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of embezzlement of less than $200. Campbell was charged in 2014 but those charges were dismissed by the Calhoun County prosecutor and then reissued by the Michigan Attorney General in May. The original allegation was that he took $250,000 over five years. As part of a plea agreement Campbell is to repay $1,500 to a veterans organization. The Legion Villa housed about 20 veterans, most with special needs, before the City of Springfield condemned the building which was later demolished. Campbell will return to court for sentencing by District Judge Paul Beadslee. He faces up to 93 days in jail. A sentencing date was not immediately set.

FIRE INVESTIGATION: Investigators from the Battle Creek Fire Department and the Michigan State Police Fire Marshal's office were inside the damaged Econo Lodge at 165 Capital Ave. looking for a cause of the Tuesday night fire. A large section of the motel was damaged by the fire, reported at 9:35 p.m. The motel was closed following an agreement with the City of Battle Creek which had sued the owners alleging the business was a nuisance. Fire officials have not determined the cause.

DOMESTIC ASSAULT: Battle Creek police have reported the following cases:

• A man, 37, was charged with felonious assault and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony after he was arrested Monday. Battle Creek police said the man's wife, 35, called officers at 8:48 p.m. and said she had been assaulted and that her husband had a gun. The woman said he began accusing her of having an affair and during an argument she told him to leave the house in the 300 block of Briar Hill Drive. She said he pulled a gun from his waistband and pointed it at her about 5 inches from her face. She said she was pushed to the ground and he continued to point the gun at her demanding she tell him about the affair. She was able to get up and said he left when she called 911. He was found in his vehicle parked at a restaurant and police said they located a 9 mm handgun. He was taken to the Calhoun County jail.

• A woman, 34, was arrested after her roommate, a woman, 57, said she was assaulted in the 100 block of Upton Avenue at 10:32 p.m. Tuesday.

• A man, 22, was arrested after his girlfriend, 23, said she was assaulted in the 100 block of Burr Street at 1:36 p.m. Tuesday.

Call Silent Observer at 269-964-3888 or text CRIMES (274637) SOTIP or see www.crimereports.com with information about crimes.