Grayling man pleads in pharmacy robbery

LAKE CITY — One man pleaded no contest for his involvement in a break-in at the McBain Pharmacy while another, acting as his own attorney, filed a motion for court files.

Jason Michael Hartley, 30, of Grayling pleaded no contest to breaking and entering a building with intent to commit larceny. At sentencing, Hartley also will be treated as a three-time habitual offender and the minimum sentence will be 66 months.

In exchange for his plea, a habitual offender fourth offense notice was dropped along with delivery or manufacture of a controlled substance, delivery or manufacture of hydrocodone and unlawful driving away of a motor vehicle.

In the court file, it listed the drugs taken from the pharmacy during a Dec. 9 break-in. The total value of the prescription drugs was listed at $3,477.

Meanwhile, 28-year-old Jason Lee Schwesing, who also is charged with the break-in, was denied a motion to obtain legal materials in preparation of his own defense.

Judge David Hogg ruled that any motions or filings must be made through an attorney.

Schwesing is charged with delivery or manufacture of cocaine, less than 50 grams, which is a 20-year felony that carries a $25,000 fine. He also is charged with breaking and entering a building with intent to commit larceny, a 10-year felony; possession of a controlled substance, a seven-year felony; unlawful driving away of a motor vehicle, a five-year felony; and habitual offender fourth offense, which carries a sentence of up to life in prison.

The pair is charged with the break-in and subsequent theft of a van nearby after police picked up a third person who had allegedly dropped them off at the pharmacy.

mwhetstone@cadillacnews.com | 775-NEWS (6397)