Jason Michael Collins is free on a $50,000 bond after being charged with 15 felony counts

Jason Michael Collins is free on a $50,000 bond after being charged with 15 felony counts. The 31-year-old faces a preliminary hearing April 22 in Schoolcraft County District Court. State Police say the investigation began when two local residents told Newberry police in August 2006 that they had lost about $300,000 as members of an investment club run by Collins.
According to court records cited by The Mining Journal of Marquette, Detective Sgt. Gregory Cunningham says a friend in Ohio and two sons of one of the original complainants -- including Collins' brother-in-law -- also were taken in by the scam. Sheriff's officials say they have no records identifying a lawyer for Collins.