WALLED LAKE, Mich. – Three people appeared before a judge for the alleged crimes against a mother and her two children in their Walled Lake home.
Michael Graves, 47, Branden Odegaard, 37, and Maci Pietryga 25, have reportedly admitted to struggling with drugs and now the trio is facing charges related to first-degree home invasion and ethnic intimidation. The incident was caught on camera when they broke into the Indianwood home while allegedly yelling racial slurs.
The detective said the victims and the defendants are complete strangers with the only connection being that they live close to each other.
READ: ‘It was a hate crime’: Walled Lake family fears for safety after violent home invasion
READ: 3 people in custody after Walled Lake home invasion
A not guilty plea was made on behalf of all three defendants. Graves and Odegaard were both given a $500,000 cash assurity bond, while Pietryga’s bond was set at $350,000.
With the bond being set, some are concerned about the victims who live half a mile away from the three people.
“There is concern regarding the proximity of the defendant to the alleged victims and that a GPS tether would not be utilized due to the significant proximity of the two residences,” said the pre-trial services person.
If bonded out, all three will have to stay away from the victims.
“You may only go to and from court, medical, attorney, and testing,” said the presiding judge.
Graves and Odegaard both have a history of violence and not appearing while Pietryga only has one prior conviction. Graves had several outstanding warrants for assault, battery and failure to appear.
They are due back in court on May 12.