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| Patrick Cleland, official stalker |
Less than 24 hours before jury selection was set to begin, the Bay City Academy's former Interim Superintendent Patrick J. Cleland opted not to go to trial on and instead struck a deal in 86th District Court.
Cleland plead guilty to stalking yesterday (November 9), and in return prosecutors dropped the drug charge Cleland was facing — one count of attempted possession of a controlled substance analogue. (Jury selection had been scheduled to begin on November 10.)
Cleland is scheduled to be sentenced on November 24 in Leelanau County.
Arrested on May 25, 2015, Cleland was formally arraigned September 22 one count each of stalking and attempted possession of a controlled substance analogue.
Leelanau County court records reveal an area woman sought and received a personal protection order against Cleland, formerly principal of Mancelona's North Central Academy. (Cleland is reportedly currently still employed by the Bay City Academy.)
The personal protection order was granted on May 26, and Cleland was served on June 8.
(I say “former Interim Superintendent” of the Bay City Academy since even that bunch must have kicked Cleland to the curb by now! Right?)