COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The president of Conviction Ministries was sent to prison Monday on two drug charges, but not before he was publicly dressed down by prosecutors and Branch County Circuit Court Judge Bill O’Grady.
36-year-old Gregory Emelander of Coldwater was sentenced to a term of between 23 months to four years after he entered guilty pleas to charges of possession of less than 25 grams of a controlled substance and cocaine as part of a plea agreement. He was given credit for 138 days already served in the Branch County Jail.
Three other counts were dismissed including a charge of maintaining a drug house as well as an habitual offender sentencing enhancement.
Emelander and 20-year-old Aryonna Strassman were arrested at a local motel on drug charges last January.
Coldwater Police were called there on a report of an unconscious person. Emelander refused medical treatment when rescue crews and police arrived. According to court documents, police found what was described as heroin in Emelander’s wallet. Police also reported that other drugs were found in the hotel room.
Prosecutor Ralph Kimble said Emelander fooled a lot of people into thinking he was a great guy. Assistant Prosecutor Scott Smith called Emelander a fraud. Judge O’Grady told Emelander, “you are not just a drug user, you are a manipulator.”
Emelander admitted before he was sentenced that he messed up and that he needs treatment. As for the people who supported him, Emelander said he did not do their trust justice.
