ESCANABA – Two individuals were arraigned Tuesday on several felony gun and drug charges.

Colton Troy Brunette, 23, of Wilson, and Tristan Russell Halfaday, 20, of Wilson, were virtually present in the 94th District Court on Tuesday for their respective arraignments.

They are currently being held in the Delta County jail.

Brunette was first before Magistrate Judge Jeana Lacarte, who began the arraignment but was relieved by 94th District Court Judge Steven C. Parks as she had other engagements.

The charges stem from their arrests on Sunday, Feb. 16., where law enforcement located 197 grams of cocaine, roughly 103 grams of suspected fentanyl, 101 grams of ecstasy, and other illegal substances. The investigation also found a loaded gun and over $13,000 in cash.

Brunette appeared to be confused and frustrated at the process and could be heard saying he wanted to get ‘this’ (the arraignment) over with. He was able to converse with the appearance lawyer and got clarification on the process.

Brunette was arraigned on four charges, including conspiracy to commit controlled substance – delivery/manufacture (cocaine, heroin or another narcotic) 50 to 449 grams; two counts of conspiracy to commit controlled substance – delivery/manufacture (schedules 1, 2, and 3 except marijuana and cocaine); and one count of a controlled substance – delivery/manufacture of methamphetamine.

The final charge was presented to the Court during the arraignment process.

Brunette is also on bond through circuit court on a separate charge.

Wickman said she expects additional charges to be added as other substances were found during the investigation that are currently out for lab testing.

“I anticipate there will be additional charges resulting from those tests,” Wickman said.

Because of the potential additional charges and the bond issue with the circuit court, Wickman asked for his bond to be set at $75,000.

Parks agreed and set Brunette’s bond at $75,000 with various bond conditions attached including zero contact with Halfaday.

Following Brunette’s arraignment, Halfaday came before Parks for his arraignment.

Halfaday was arraigned on eight charges, including controlled substance – delivery/manufacture (cocaine, heroin or another narcotic) 50 to 449 grams; two counts of controlled substance – delivery/manufacture (schedules 1, 2, and 3 except marijuana and cocaine); three counts of weapons – carrying concealed; one count of weapons felony firearm; and one count of a controlled substance – delivery/manufacture of methamphetamine.

The final charge was presented to the court during the arraignment process.

“These are extremely serious offenses, and there’s many of them,” Parks said.

Wickman noted the nature of the offenses, including the possession of a firearm during his arrest.

“This matter involves a large amount of cocaine, over 100 grams. A large amount of fentanyl, also over 100 grams. That combination, your honor, (and) the defendant was found in possession of a loaded firearm in his waist in very close proximity to those controlled substances. (He) never disclosed the firearm being on his person at the time he had contact with law enforcement. It’s obviously highly concerning given the situation,” Wickman said.

Wickman asked the Court to set the bond at $85,000, and Parks agreed.

Halfaday will also abide by bond conditions, including zero contact with Brunette.

Wickman noted that Brunette and Halfaday live at the same residence, so if both bond out, they would have to stay at separate residences as part of the bond conditions.

“If either one of them bonds out, that address will become unavailable for the other,” Wickman said.

Brunette and Halfaday will be back in court for their respective probable cause conferences on Thursday, Feb. 27. They will also appear in court on Thursday, March 6, for their preliminary examinations.