Lansing Man Threatened Retired Eaton County Judge

Michael Jonathan Wetmore, 46, faces one count of falsely reporting or threatening terrorism and one count of malicious use of telecommunications services. He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Wetmore “called the Eaton County Sheriff’s Office and made statements threatening the life of retired Eaton County Judge Julie Reincke,” Eaton County prosecutors said in a news release. The call occurred on Friday, July 19, according to online court records.

Reincke retired from the Eaton County Courthouse at the end of 2020.

“The charges my office filed today are serious and reflect my disdain for the defendant’s conduct,” said Eaton County District Attorney Doug Lloyd. “I hope the charges also serve as a reminder that words have consequences, especially serious threats of physical harm or death.”

Wetmore was arraigned Monday. A judge set his bail at $150,000 and scheduled a court hearing for later this month. He was represented at the arraignment by the Eaton County Public Defender’s Office.