5/20/2026

GOGEBIC COUNTY - An Ashland County Man found guilty of drug-related offenses in Gogebic County has been sentenced.  Erick Schutte of High Bridge was conviction on drug charges in Gogebic County back on March 5.  Yesterday Schutte was sentenced to prison and will serve 6 and a half years minimum to 20 years maximum for both possession with intent to deliver meth and conspiracy, and 1 year minimum to 2 years max for possession of meth near a park.  Gogebic-Iron Area Narcotics Team officers originally arrested Schutte in Wakefield on July 24, 2025. At that time, Schutte was operating a vehicle owned by Dalani Leyva, who was asleep in the back seat. Leyva was previously convicted and sentenced on Dec. 16, 2025, for conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine and being a habitual offender.  She received a prison term of ten years minimum to a maximum of thirty years.  Following the verdict, Schutte’s bond was revoked and he remains lodged in the Gogebic County jail pending a presentence investigation and the scheduling of a date for sentencing within the next 30 days.