On January 31, 2022, Prosecutor Timothy J. Rutkowski charged Jason David Blackstock of Bad Axe, with one felony count of Aggravated Stalking based upon an investigation by the Bad Axe Police Department indicating that Blackstock had repeatedly and continuously harassed his former spouse both in person and via text message in violation of a Personal Protection Order.
Blackstock was arraigned that same day in the 73-B District Court of Huron County where he was released on bond with numerous conditions, including an order prohibiting him from contacting his former spouse. That same evening and the next three days, Blackstock continued to send harassing and threatening text messages. A bond hearing was held in the District Court on February 4, 2022, before the Honorable David B. Herrington who found that Blackstock had violated the terms and conditions set forth in his bond and subsequently revoked that bond. Bad Axe Police continued their investigation and submitted a second warrant request to Prosecutor Rutkowski, who authorized another charge of Aggravated Stalking on February 11, 2022.
On March 4, 2022, a Preliminary Examination was held in the 73-B District Court of Huron County where Blackstock was bound over to the 52nd Circuit Court of Huron County by the Honorable David B. Herrington on both counts of Aggravated Stalking. Two additional felony counts of Using a Computer to Commit a Crime were requested by the People at that time and the motion was granted.
A two-day jury trial was held in the 52nd Circuit Court on June 7 and 8, 2022 on all four felony counts. After 60 minutes of deliberation, a jury of five women and seven men found Blackstock guilty on all four counts. Blackstock’s sentencing is set for July 25, 2022, before the Honorable Gerald M. Prill.
