NEWBERRY — A downstate man was in Luce County District Court recently in conjunction to the theft of camping fees from Upper Peninsula state parks and campgrounds.

According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, which is the investigating agency, Justyn Mark Spitzley, 36, of downstate Sunfield, targeted several payment collection sites in which campers deposit cash – known as pay pipes – last fall.

Michigan conservation officers are fully licensed law enforcement officers who provide natural resources protection, ensure recreational safety and protect residents through general law enforcement and lifesaving operations in the communities they serve.

Spitzley returned to the Luce County District Court June 16 for a restitution hearing regarding his involvement in the thefts.

The DNR reported following his February arraignment, Spitzley pleaded guilty to one felony charge of larceny of more than $1,000 but less than $20,000, and one misdemeanor charge of operating on a suspended license.

The court ordered Spitzley to pay an additional $6,000 in restitution and a $2,000 reimbursement for cash that was recovered as evidence at the time of his arrest in October. He also was sentenced to one year in jail with credit for 81 days served.

Spitzley was lodged in the Ionia County Jail on unrelated charges, then transferred in April to the Alger County Jail where he will serve the remainder of his one-year sentence.

Campgrounds Spitzley stole from include Perch Lake, Lake Superior, Blind Sucker No. 1 and No. 2, and Mouth of the Two Hearted River, the DNR noted.

Bud Sargent can be reached at 906-228-2500, extension 544. His email address is bsargent@miningjournal.net.