LANSING – On Friday, an Iosco County jury seated in the 23rd Circuit Court found Dominque Simo, 40, of Oscoda, guilty of one count of Malicious Use of a Telecommunications Device for threatening Iosco County Prosecuting Attorney James A. Bacarella, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. The two men had a previous landlord-tenant relationship. The penalty for the misdemeanor is up to six months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine, and the State will seek a sentence inclusive of mandated mental health treatment.
“In a time where escalating threats are becoming alarmingly frequent, I am grateful that the jury unequivocally recognized that such behavior cannot be tolerated or normalized,” Nessel said. “My office remains committed to holding those who perpetrate these acts accountable.”
On a February 11th phone call, Simo stated to the elected county prosecutor that if Bacarella did not appear at Simo’s residence within 28 minutes, Bacarella would “deeply regret it.” Simo previously threatened to shoot Bacarella in 2023 when Simo was a tenant at a property owned by Bacarella. The preceding threat of gun violence, according to the State and affirmed by the jury, rendered the February call a clearly threatening statement.
A sentencing date has not yet been set by the Court.