Pair charged with delivery and manufacture of controlled substances waive right to preliminary exam

Mount Clemens, MI – Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido announced that 52-year-old Frank Baran, Jr. and 41-year-old Natalie Fraley, both of Mount Clemens, MI, waived their rights to a Preliminary Exam related to allegations of delivery and manufacture of controlled substances. 

On Thursday, April 30, 2026, Baran and Fraley were scheduled for Preliminary Exam before Judge Sebastian Lucido in the 41-B District Court in Clinton Township, MI. At that hearing, Baran and Fraley waived the right to a Preliminary Exam and both were bound over to the Macomb County Circuit Court.

Baran and Fraley are scheduled to be arraigned before Judge Richard L. Caretti in the Macomb County Circuit Court on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.

Baran and Fraley are facing charges related to an investigation by Sheriff’s Enforcement Team (SET) comprised of members of the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office and Warren Police Department. On November 13, 2025, a search of their apartments allegedly uncovered firearms, a methamphetamine/fentanyl distribution operation, and a variety of controlled substances, including Etizolam, ketamine, psilocybin mushrooms, and counterfeit pills. 

Baran is charged with the following:

Count 1 – Controlled substance – operating/maintaining laboratory near specified places – a 20-year felony

Count 2 – Controlled substance – delivery/manufacture (schedules 1, 2 and 3 except marijuana and cocaine) – a 7-year felony

Count 3 – Controlled substance – delivery/manufacture (schedules 1, 2 and 3 except marijuana and cocaine) – a 7-year felony

Count 4 – Weapons – ammunition – possession by prohibited person – a 5-year felony 

Count 5 – Weapons – firearms – possession by prohibited person – a 5-year felony 

Count 6 – Weapons felony firearm – a 2-year felony, consecutive to main charge

Count 7 – Controlled substance – delivery/manufacture (schedule 4) – a 4-year felony

Count 8 – Controlled substance – possession/analogues – a 2-year felony

Count 9 – Obstructing by disguise – a 1-year misdemeanor

Count 10 – Operating – license suspended, revoked, denied – a 93-day misdemeanor

Habitual Offender – 4th offense notice – an aggravating sentencing factor that may result in a sentence of life in prison

Fraley is charged with the following:

Count 1 – Controlled substance – delivery/manufacture (schedules 1, 2 and 3 except marijuana and cocaine) – a 7-year felony

Count 2 – Controlled substance – possession/analogues – a 2-year felony.

“Illegal drugs are a corrosive force in our community, driving addiction, death, and the destruction of families. These are not victimless crimes. They leave devastation in their wake. My office is committed to enforcing the rule of law with resolve and ensuring that those who engage in this conduct are held fully accountable under the law,” said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido.

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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