Mount Clemens, MI – Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido announced that Joel Masching, 53, of Clinton Township, has been arraigned in two additional courts in connection with allegations stemming from a series of incidents that occurred over several days and culminated in a wrong-way crash on I-94 in Detroit.
A subsequent investigation led to the execution of search warrants, which allegedly resulted in the discovery of controlled substances at a residence in Clinton Township and at a business in Fraser.
As a result of these findings, Masching was arraigned on additional criminal charges in Clinton Township and Roseville, Michigan.
On Thursday, January 29, 2026, Masching was arraigned before Magistrate Ryan Zemke in Clinton Township’s 41B District Court. He was arraigned on the following charges:
Count 1: Controlled Substance – Possession (Cocaine, Heroin or other Narcotic) Less than 25 Grams, a 4-year felony
Count 2: Controlled Substance – Possession/analogues, a 2-year felony
Count 3: Controlled Substance – Possession (schedule 5 and Lsd, etc.), a 1-year misdemeanor
Count 4: Habitual Offender, 2nd Offense Notice, an aggravating sentencing factor
Magistrate Zemke set a $100,000 personal bond for Masching along with the requirement that he comply with the bond conditions set by Judge Suzanne Faunce in 37th District Court. In that matter, Masching had a $200,000 cash/surety bond. He posted that bond and was released with a steel cuff GPS tether. He was ordered to not consume any drugs or alcohol, and he is subject to testing. In addition, he can have no contact with the victim.
The court scheduled a Probable Cause Conference for March 3, 2026 before Judge Carrie Lynn Fuca at 1 p.m. at the 41B District Court in Clinton Township.
Also on Thursday, January 29, 2026, Masching appeared in the 39th District Court in Roseville. Masching was arraigned before Judge Joseph F. Boedeker on the following charges:
Count 1: Controlled Substance – Possession – (Cocaine, Heroin or other Narcotic) Less than 25 Grams, a 4-year felony
Count 2: Habitual Offender, 2nd Offense Notice, an aggravating sentencing factor
Judge Boedeker set a $5,000 personal bond with order to consume no drugs or alcohol and to comply with all other court’s bond conditions. Judge Boedeker scheduled a Probable Cause Conference before Judge Alyia Marie Hakim on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. at the 39th District Court in Roseville.
In addition, on January 29, 2026, Masching appeared at the 37th District Court in Warren. At the defense counsel’s request, Judge Michael Chupa held a Probable Cause Conference. He also set a new Probable Cause Conference date of Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at 8:45 a.m.
“These allegations are serious and involved conduct that threatened public safety. Our office worked with multiple law enforcement agencies to bring appropriate charges based on the evidence. We are prepared to move forward and will prosecute these cases diligently, guided by the facts, the law, and our duty to seek justice for the victims and the public,” said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido.
These cases stem from the following allegations:
On January 11, 2026, Masching allegedly assaulted a woman, then later broke into her home and assaulted her again before fleeing when police were called.
On January 16, the woman reported he was repeatedly calling her and driving across her lawn. Police located Masching at 10 Mile and Schoenherr, but he allegedly fled a traffic stop, prompting a high-speed chase that was discontinued near 9 Mile and I-94.
On January 18, officers again located him at 11 Mile and Schoenherr and attempted to box in his vehicle. He allegedly struck a patrol car, accelerated forward, and forced an officer to move to avoid being hit. Police pursued him into Detroit as he allegedly ignored traffic signals, drove the wrong way on Conner Avenue, and crashed into vehicles on an I-94 exit ramp.
A search of his vehicle allegedly revealed multiple drugs and materials consistent with distribution.
On Tuesday January 20, 2026, Masching was arraigned before Judge Suzanne Faunce in the 37th District Court in Warren, MI on the following charges:
Count 1: Controlled Substance – Delivery/manufacture – Methamphetamine/ecstasy, a 20-year felony
Count 2: Controlled Substance – Delivery/manufacture – Methamphetamine, a 20-year felony
Count 3: Controlled Substance – Delivery/manufacture – (Cocaine, Heroin or other Narcotic) Less than 50 Grams, a 20-year felony
Count 4: Controlled Substance – Delivery/manufacture – (Cocaine, Heroin or other Narcotic) Less than 50 Grams, a 20-year felony
Count 5: Home Invasion – 2nd Degree, a 15-year felony
Count 6: Police Officer – Fleeing - Third Degree – Vehicle Code, a 5-year felony
Count 7: Police Officer – Fleeing - Fourth Degree – Vehicle Code, a 2-year felony
Count 8: Police Officer – Assaulting/Resisting/Obstructing, a 2-year felony
Count 9: Domestic Violence – Second Offense Notice, a 1-year misdemeanor
Count 10: Habitual Offender, 2nd Offense Notice, an aggravating sentencing factor
These are the maximum charges available under the law based upon the evidence presented to date.
The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office represents the People. We are committed to achieving justice and following the laws of the State of Michigan. All that are accused of a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office
Contact: Esther E. Wolfe, Communications Director
Office: 586-469-5737
Cell: 586-842-4421
Email: esther.wolfe@macombgov.org
