The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office says that cocaine, guns, cash and more were found as a result of a May search warrant investigation in Sterling Heights.
By: Eric Czarnik | Sterling Heights Sentry | Published May 31, 2024
STERLING HEIGHTS — Police recently arrested two Sterling Heights men after allegedly discovering a collection of drugs, guns, cash and more as part of a search warrant in the city.
According to the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office, the Macomb County Sheriff’s Enforcement Team got the warrant to conduct a May 16 investigation of a suspected narcotics operation in Sterling Heights.
Police said the search resulted in the discovery of around 16 grams of cocaine, nine Adderall pills, two rifles, two shotguns, four pistols, multiple ammo boxes and $56,728 in cash. Police said they also seized a Dodge Ram pickup truck.
Authorities identified one suspect as Kyle Derouin, 25, from Sterling Heights, whom the Prosecutor’s Office said was reportedly involved in “distributing large amounts of cocaine in Macomb County.”
Derouin was arraigned in 41-A District Court in Sterling Heights May 17 before Magistrate Michael Piatek and was charged with one 20-year felony of delivery/manufacture of a controlled substance such as cocaine, heroin or another narcotic. He was also charged with a two-year felony, weapons felony firearm, as well as a charge of possessing the controlled substance of analogues.
Derouin was placed on a $25,000 bond, 10% cash/surety.
The second suspect was identified as Dennis Lasater, 48, from Sterling Heights. He was also arraigned in Sterling Heights’ 41-A District Court before Piatek May 17, but for a single, four-year felony charge of possessing less than 25 grams of controlled substances such as cocaine, heroin or other narcotics. The court reportedly set a $5,000 personal bond for Lasater.
The court has scheduled a June 6 preliminary exam for both suspects before Judge Annemarie Lepore.
Derouin’s listed attorney, John Freeman, whose office is in Troy, told the Sentry that “the case has just started.”
“We are looking forward to getting into the court process and having the case work itself in court,” Freeman said. “It’s too early for me to say anything to the media … but I’m looking forward to mounting a vigorous defense.”
On the MiCOURT online database, Lasater’s attorney was listed as Joseph A. Alex, though Alex told the Sentry that he is no longer representing Lasater.
Anyone who has more information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office by calling (586) 469-5350.