LANSING – New court dates were set last week by Judge Kristen Simmons in the 54-A District Court in Ingham County in the false elector prosecution of 16 Michigan defendants. Preliminary examinations were scheduled for 14 of the 16, while two defendants will appear before the Court for another probable cause conference.   

All 16 defendants pled not guilty on all eight counts with which each is charged. Preliminary examinations will be conducted in-person before the Court. 

The Court has scheduled the following future appearances: 

• Kathy Berden, 70, now residing in Tennessee, is scheduled to next appear for a preliminary exam on October 12th 
• William (Hank) Choate, 72, of Cement City, is scheduled to next appear for a preliminary exam on November 2nd 
• Amy Facchinello, 55, of Grand Blanc, is scheduled to next appear for a preliminary exam on October 12th  
• Clifford Frost, 75, of Warren, is scheduled to next appear for a probable cause conference on September 7th  
• Stanley Grot, 71, of Shelby Township, is scheduled to next appear for a preliminary exam on November 2nd  
• John Haggard, 82, of Charlevoix, is scheduled to next appear for a preliminary exam on November 2nd 
• Mari-Ann Henry, 65, of Brighton, is scheduled to next appear for a preliminary exam on October 12th  
• Timothy King, 56, of Ypsilanti, is scheduled to next appear for a preliminary exam on November 2nd 
• Michele Lundgren, 73, of Detroit, is scheduled to next appear for a preliminary exam on October 12th  
• Meshawn Maddock, 55, of Milford, is scheduled to next appear for a preliminary exam on October 12th  
• James Renner, 76, of Lansing, is scheduled to next appear for a preliminary exam on November 2nd 
• Mayra Rodriguez, 64, of Grosse Pointe Farms, is scheduled to next appear for a preliminary exam on November 2nd 
• Rose Rook, 81, of Paw Paw, is scheduled to next appear for a preliminary exam on November 2nd 
• Marian Sheridan, 69, of West Bloomfield, is scheduled to next appear for a probable cause conference on December 15th  
• Ken Thompson, 68, of Orleans, is scheduled to next appear for a preliminary exam on October 12th  
• Kent Vanderwood, 69, of Wyoming, is scheduled to next appear for a preliminary exam on November 2nd 

Each defendant has been charged with: 

• One count of Conspiracy to Commit Forgery, a 14-year felony; 
• Two counts of Forgery, a 14-year felony; 
• One count of Conspiracy to Commit Uttering and Publishing, a 14-year felony; 
• One count of Uttering and Publishing, a 14-year felony;  
• One count of Conspiracy to Commit Election Law Forgery, a 5-year felony; and, 
• Two counts of Election Law Forgery, a 5-year felony. 

This remains an ongoing investigation, and the Michigan Department of Attorney General has not ruled out potential charges against additional defendants.