7/28/14 - A former Oakland County Sheriffâs deputy has been sentenced for his part in a bar fight in Hartland Township. Thomas Knasiak, who had been working as a deputy out of the Highland Township substation, and co-defendant Andrew Coleman of Howell were arrested on St. Patrickâs Day on a felony count of resisting or obstructing a police officer. In June, they pleaded no contest to the misdemeanor charge of attempted resisting or obstructing a police officer. While it wasnât a legal admission of guilt, it was treated as such when they were sentenced last week. On Friday, Circuit Court Judge Michael Hatty ordered Knasiak to spend three days in jail, time heâs already served, and one year of probation. Coleman was given the same sentence the day before. The incident began March 17th when Livingston County Central Dispatch received a call from OâMalleyâs Irish Pub at about 8pm for a report of a man being assaulted. A Michigan State Police trooper was the first on the scene, and Knasiak and Coleman were pointed out as the two men involved. The pair was subdued by the trooper and a deputy from the Livingston County Sheriffâs Department and taken into custody. Knasiak was placed into a ânon-deputizedâ position with the Corrections Division, and later retired from the department after 25 years. Both he and Coleman must also pay restitution of more than $4,600. (JK)
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