ESCANABA — An Escanaba Township man is facing life in prison after being charged with several felonies, including criminal sexual conduct and kidnapping.

Hunter Grizz Gallagher, 24, of 8252 N.3 Lane in Escanaba Township, was in Delta County District Court on Monday for his arraignment in two separate cases involving six felony charges.

He was arraigned on charges of criminal sexual conduct in the first degree; kidnapping; assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder or by strangulation; assault with a dangerous weapon – felonious assault; weapons – felony firearm; and police officer – fleeing in the third degree. The criminal sexual conduct and kidnapping charges are both punishable by up to life in prison.

According to Delta County Prosecutor Lauren Wickman, Gallagher is currently out on bond from a separate case in Allegan County, where he faces 11 felony charges, including felony firearm.

The charges in Delta County stem from offenses that occurred on April 6 and 7.

The fleeing police charge allegedly took place on April 7 when Gallagher fled from police after being instructed to stop his vehicle.

Wickman said after the incident, Gallagher fled out of state, going to Wisconsin, and then Illinois, before he was arrested in downstate Michigan, in Allegan County.

The other five felony charges originate from the day before, on April 6, when he allegedly kidnapped, assaulted, and sexually assaulted an individual while in possession of a firearm.

He is currently lodged in the Delta County Jail with a bond set at $525,000 between the two cases: a $25,000 bond for the fleeing a police officer case and $500,000 for the other five felony charges in his other case.

Magistrate Jeana LaCarte, who oversaw the arraignment, refused to reduce the $500,000 bond, citing the safety of the public as well as the seriousness of the charges.

“Due to your past criminal record, these are very serious felony offenses that are being charged. Two are carrying possible punishments of life. And finally, due to the danger of the public, the bond is going to remain where it is set, $500,000 cash or surety,” LaCarte said.

Should Gallagher post bond, he will have to abide by several bond conditions, including no contact with multiple people, including the alleged victim.

Gallagher, who appeared virtually in court, was emotional and cried throughout the proceedings.

He has previously pled guilty in and went to prison on two counts of criminal sexual assault – third degree back in 2019.

Following his guilty plea, Gallagher was required to register as a sex offender for life.

His charges of criminal sexual conduct and kidnapping are violations under the Sex Offender Registration Act (SORA) and are classified as Tier III offenses.

Gallagher will return to district court on May 1 for his preliminary hearing.