East Tawas man charged with felony B&E, drug offenses attends pre-trial

TAWAS CITY – Having waived his preliminary exam on April 22, Dustin Robert Schanck was bound over to Iosco County 23rd Circuit Court in Tawas City, where he was then scheduled for a pre-trial on May 5.

As reported in this publication, there are two separate files pertaining to the East Tawas resident’s case – each of which could result in a term of life in prison, if he is convicted as charged.

Represented by Attorney Justin Wilson, Schanck’s most recent appearance occurred before Circuit Court Judge David C. Riffel.

Upon recognizing the attendance of Wilson, Schanck and Iosco County Prosecuting Attorney James Bacarella, Riffel proceeded to recite the defendant’s alleged offenses.

He stated that the information contained in the first file charges Schanck with one count of breaking-and-entering (B&E) a building with intent, which is a felony that is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

“However, there is a habitual fourth notice added to that, which makes the penalty life or a lesser term,” Riffel advised. “The minimum sentence must be at least 25 years.”

As reported, court records read that Schanck was previously convicted of possession of ammunition by a felon in 2023, stolen property-receiving and concealing in 2019 and 2nd-degree home invasion in 2018. (All three convictions were handed down in Iosco County 23rd Circuit Court).

Riffel asked Schanck if he understood the charges in the first file, as well as the maximum possible punishment for same, which he confirmed.

Riffel then moved to the second file, noting that the information in that case charges the defendant with one count of controlled substances-possession, less than 25 grams. “That’s a felony punishable by up to four years in prison and/or fines of $25,000,” he explained. “And there’s a second or subsequent offense notice added to that, which doubles the penalty and makes that a felony punishable by up to eight years in prison and/or fines of $25,000.”

In the same file, count two charges Schanck with jails-prisoner possessing contraband, which is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and/or fines of $1,000.

“However, on that charge also, there’s been a habitual offender fourth notice added to that, which makes it a penalty of life if the primary offense has a penalty of five years or more – which, in this case, it does,” Riffel continued.

Otherwise, it would carry a term of 15 years or less, if the primary offense has a penalty of under five years.

The maximum penalty cannot be less than the maximum term for a first conviction, Riffel added.

For each alleged count in the second file, he also asked Schanck if he understood the charges and the maximum possible punishment associated with each.

“Yes, your honor,” he answered to both.

Upon confirming that Schanck’s competency to stand trial was not in question, Riffel went on to lay out such next steps as informing the involved parties that all discoveries shall be completed within 30 days, and ordering that bond be continued.

They then settled on Monday, June 9, at 10 a.m., for when Schanck would be due back in court for a status conference.

“These are separate cases; separate trials, correct, Mr. Bacarella?” asked Riffel.

Bacarella said that was correct, and that he anticipated each of the files to take a couple days apiece.

Riffel asked Wilson if agreed, which he answered that he did, at this time.

As reported in the April 9 edition of this publication, Schanck was arrested earlier that month for an alleged B&E which occurred last July, at a property on Bischoff Road in Baldwin Township.

He was later charged with the two additional felonies, which were due to a controlled substance he allegedly had on his person when arriving at the Iosco County Jail in Tawas City.

As for the initial count, Bacarella stated in a press release that it was on July 10, 2024, when troopers from the Michigan State Police (MSP) were dispatched to the Baldwin Township residence, regarding a break-in.

Court records read that the alleged incident occurred shortly after 4 a.m., and that the suspect is accused of having taken items from the garage of the home.

Along with information which was gathered that day, it was also noted that Schanck was arrested by Arenac County deputies on July 16, 2024, for multiple alleged larcenies in that county. He was reportedly in possession of burglary tools at the time, among other items.

The MSP advise that enough information was obtained to execute a search warrant on Schanck’s residence, which is where police allegedly found some of the property that had been stolen during the Baldwin Township incident.

The items Schanck is accused of taking during the alleged burglary, consisted of a cooler, a battery drill set and a fishing tackle bag with a filet knife inside.

The investigation completed by the MSP, resulted in Bacarella issuing a warrant for the arrest of Schanck on April 1, 2025.

The prosecutor stated that officers from the MSP, the MSP 3rd District Fugitive Team and Strike Team Investigative Narcotics Group units arrested Schanck for the B&E, on April 3 in Bay City.

“In a separate case, he was charged with Prisoner in Possession of Contraband and Possession of Cocaine both as a fourth habitual offender and as a second offense involving a controlled substance,” Bacarella explained at the time.

“Mr. Schanck plead not guilty to both files,” he continued, also pointing out that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Court records read that when Schanck was arrested on April 3, he was asked by the MSP if he had anything on his person, such as weapons or contraband. He allegedly replied that he did not.

He was later asked this same question once he was transported to the Iosco County Jail, where he also allegedly stated that he did not have any contraband. When conducting a more thorough search as he was being lodged there, corrections officers from the Iosco County Sheriff’s Office (ICSO) allegedly located a small, white, rock-like substance inside of Schanck’s clothing, believed to be crack cocaine.

According to court documents, Schanck eventually said that the rock was likely crack; however, he was not certain. He further stated that he did not know that he had this on his person.

The substance was tested after being seized by the MSP, and allegedly gave a positive result for cocaine.

Following this, Bacarella says that Iosco County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Andrew Mong authorized a warrant for Schanck that same day, for the two subsequent counts.

He was also arraigned later that afternoon, in Iosco County 81st District Court in Tawas City.

This was followed by a probable cause conference, on April 8.

ICSO and district court representatives have each confirmed that Schanck’s bond, for both files, has been set at $50,000, 10% cash/surety.

As the case progresses, updates will continue to be provided by this publication.