Advertisement

Circuit Court Judge Justus Scott sentenced Kurt Ashley Henkel, 44, of Imlay Township on Tuesday to a minimum of 2 years, five months to 15 years on felony charges of unlawful imprisonment. He received a 390-day sentence, with credit for 390 days already served, on one count of interfering with electronic communication. Henkel must also pay court fees and costs including a $7,500 defense bill submitted by his Almont-based attorney Bob Schellig.

"I hope you understand the depth of the torment you have caused by your actions," Scott said.

Prior to sentencing, Henkel did not make eye contact with his wife who delivered a passionate impact statement. She said she's moved from the area and her life and their young daughter's life is forever altered.

"There is never a time when I don't look over my shoulder, especially when I'm outside," she said. "Most nights I check the blinds to see if anyone is outside."

Problems surfaced about 4:45 p.m. Jan. 31, 2007, when 9-1-1 dispatcher Robin Pastue received a call for help from a screaming woman. Pastue lost contact, called Verizon Telephone company and tracked down the number to the Henkel family's Country Pride Lane home in Imlay Township.

She dispatched Lapeer County Sheriff's Department deputies who observed Henkel, who was armed. He'd handcuffed his wife, then 23, to a pole in the basement.

Henkel, a former Charlevoix reserve police officer, fired off at least three rounds from a shotgun while locked in a standoff with law enforcement. He claimed to have hidden a bomb at his baby daughter's daycare. A Lapeer City Police bomb dog search determined that threat was a hoax.

His wife was released unharmed at 9:30 p.m. and 30 minutes later Henkel surrendered.

Henkel plead guilty Jan. 25 to a plea agreement reached between Lapeer County Assistant Prosecutor Steve Beatty and attorney Schellig.