DELTON, Mich. — A Prairieville Township police lieutenant was arrested during an undercover sting operation involving sex and drugs.
Michael Strong worked as a reserve police officer for Prairieville Township, one of eight on the force. According to the police chief, Strong was suspended pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation.
A tip led Michigan State Police to find Strong on a social media website where he was offering drugs in exchange for sex, said Michigan State Police Lt. Chuck Christensen.
“A meeting was set up,” said Lt. Christensen, “then through that meeting an undercover officer was introduced, at which point the arrangement was made for the solicitation in exchange for the drugs.”
Strong thought he was going to a hotel in Oshtemo Township for the exchange, Lt. Christensen said. When Strong showed up with amphetamines, he was arrested. He is now out on bond but wasn’t home when we stopped by.
We spoke instead with his next door neighbor, David Reichard, who had accusations of his own.
Reichard said Strong secretly obtained power of attorney over his assets when Reichard and his partner suffered strokes. “Then he rushed to the bank and cleaned out both of our bank accounts,” said Reichard.
Reichard also claims Strong stole his medication and sold it others. “I’ve been right there when he’s done it,” he said. “When a young man gave him cash, which he borrowed from me, and handed it to Mike, who gave him a pill.”
Reichard has shared his story with the detectives as the investigation continues to unfold.
According to the township supervisor, Lt. Strong worked administratively at the Prairieville Township Police Department, which is an unpaid position.
We’ve also learned that he worked as the operations manager at Delton EMS. Police said through the investigation so far it appears the alleged crimes happened while Strong was off duty.
