In Ionia Township, there exists a clearly defined junk ordinance, one of those local regulations meant to curb property blight by giving officials the power to act against abandoned vehicles, deteriorating structures, and oversized debris.
It is yet another ordinance Casey Wagner, Michigan DOC Employee, is allowed to break without consequence.
The updated version includes strict definitions of “junk,” sets timelines for remediation, and grants the township the authority to initiate cleanup or impose fines. Theoretically, failure to comply opens the door for enforcement measures ranging from liens on the property to direct removal of violations at the owner’s expense.
Failure to comply could result in a misdemeanor offense.
But here’s the thing: ordinances only work when enforced.
In the past, Ionia Prosecutor Kyle Butler has visited Lois. After seeing the eyesore that is Casey’s property, he asked Lois whether Casey drove or moved any of the automobiles. Lois responded that they had been there a long time. Even after seeing the junk, buried tires, and items encroaching on Lois’ property, there has been no enforcement of the laws or ordinances.
Is Ionia County a place where the rules don’t matter? Should people be concerned for their safety if they attend the Ionia Free Fair?
Neighborhood Turmoil: The Explosive Allegations
For those new to the situation, Casey Wagner, a Michigan Department of Corrections officer is accused by multiple neighbors of repeatedly detonating explosives and setting off intense gunfire from his yard.
The blasts have rendered her home unsafe, caused property damage, and even inflicted lasting trauma.
Multiple law enforcement referrals, from townships and Ionia County Sheriff’s deputies, have reportedly gone nowhere. Ionia County refuses to step in saying no laws or ordinances have been violated; outright lie, considering their own Attorney advised the ordinances were in fact, enforceable.
The next step, as a policy recently changed, seems to be to involve the Michigan State Police due to Ionia’s blatant lack of action, taking it from their incapable hands all together.
Where the Junk Ordinance Could Help
Though Wagner’s offenses (explosions, debris, and noise) fall outside traditional “junk” cases, he makes up for that with the items strewn about his property.
The ordinance considers any material harmful or dangerous; that includes remnants of blasts. Local officials can demand cleanup, issue fines, and use the ordinance to force action regardless of Wagner’s employment or political status.
Yet, despite clear violations, no notices, no tickets, and no cleanup orders have ever been issued. Sheriff Charlie Noll and Prosecutor Kyle Butler reportedly view the matters as outside the ordinance’s scope—despite ample evidence to the contrary
What Accountability Looks Like
For whatever reason, it seems the Township and County cater to Casey Wagner’s irresponsible and unsightly whims.
It is unknown at this time whether Casey holds a junkyard license.
If the County and Township truly cared, and weren’t worried about political connections, here’s what they would do:
- Apply the junk ordinance to the debris: Local authorities should log the evidence, issue a compliance notice, and enforce fines or clean-up if Wagner continues to ignore it.
- End the Damage: Even with gun rights intact, property damage and personal safety is non-negotiable and the ordinance is squarely positioned to uphold it.
- Break the political shield: Ties to power should never eclipse public safety. Ordinances exist to ensure just that: nobody is above the law.
- Involve state-level oversight: If county officials continue to look the other way, rally local citizens and petition the Michigan Attorney General’s Office or the state Department of Natural Resources to weigh in, regardless of what Gina Johnsen wants.
Final Takeaway
Yes, Ionia County has a junk ordinance, which could be an effective tool to combat blight and unsafe conditions.
And yes, Wagner’s alleged behavior is exactly what the ordinance was designed to stop. Just like the Noise Ordinance.
Yet, enforcement remains conspicuously absent with elected official Gina Johnsen standing in the way of enforcement. As an elected official, what benefit does she stand to gain to protect someone who is destroying people’s property?
This discrepancy raises critical questions:
- Why aren’t local leaders using existing laws?
- Are political connections overshadowing public safety? And how long before ordinary residents must shoulder the risk?
- Why are taxpayers funding their salaries if they aren’t doing their jobs?
And most importantly: why should their voters cast their ballots for any of them ever again after their repeated willful neglect of duty?
Sources reveal that Clutch Justice’s blog posts are making their way around Lansing, and have reached the Attorney General’s desk, meaning Township Officials may soon be forced to act.
Ordinances and Laws Only Matter if They’re Enforced.
And it appears that Ionia County only enforces laws against people who don’t have money or political connections to fight back.
Everyone else, especially if they work for Michigan DOC, is exempt.
It’s time for Ionia County and every township that claims to enforce community standards to wake up, act, and prove that the law applies equally to everyone, from everyday citizens to corrections officers.
Call to Action
- Make your voice heard on the bad behavior that is allowed to continue unchecked; sign the petition here.
- Ask elected township officials why they aren’t enforcing the laws; attend a township meeting and ask the hard questions.
- Ask them what they’re doing to earn and keep your vote; tell them to do better.
