LANSING – Yesterday, former Hartford Police Chief Tressa Beltran appeared before the 7th District Court in Paw Paw and was bound over to the 36th Circuit Court for trial on all charges, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Beltran faces nine charges, including eight felonies, for alleged drug dealing activities while serving as police chief.

While working as the City of Hartford’s chief law enforcement officer, the State alleges that Beltran sold controlled substances, stole controlled substances, used her influence to extort others to provide her with controlled substances, illegally possessed several different types of controlled substances, and committed embezzlement. 

Beltran is charged with:  

Detectives from the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office conducted an extensive investigation into Chief Tressa Beltran after receiving numerous tips about her actions. The investigation concluded with the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office and the Attorney General’s Public Integrity Unit discovering evidence that Beltran had used her position as Chief of Police to commit these numerous offenses.

“No one in this state is above the law, and we expect law enforcement officers to abide by the oath they’ve taken when they serve the public and to fulfill their duties with integrity,” Nessel said. “I am thankful for the great work of my Department’s Public Integrity Unit and the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office for their work pursuing this very serious case and we look forward to a swift and just resolution of this matter.” 

The Honorable Judge Michael T. McKay presided over todays Probable Cause Conference. Beltran waived Preliminary Examination and will next appear in court via Zoom on August 28th, before Judge Kathleen M. Brickley in the 36th Circuit Court.  

Please note: A criminal charge is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The Department does not provide booking photos.

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