UPDATE: Former Houghton County Undersheriff sentenced to probation for OUIL

HOUGHTON, Mich. (WLUC) - UPDATE: The former Houghton County Undersheriff charged with operating under the influence of liquor in Lower Michigan was sentenced in Grand Traverse County District Court Monday.

Kevin Coppo was sentenced to 18 months probation and must pay $1,225 in fines and costs.

This follows a plea hearing in June, during which he plead guilty to two of his three charges: operating under the influence of liquor with a blood-alcohol content greater than .17 and failure to report an accident. The third charge, failure to stop after a collision, was dropped.

The Houghton County Sheriff’s Office appointed Jon Giachino to the position of interim Undersheriff on March 10 and became the full time Undersheriff following Coppo’s resignation on May 27.

Last published: May 24, 2022 12:23:50 PM

A plea hearing has been set for the Houghton County Undersheriff who was charged with a OWI in Grand Traverse County.

Kevin Coppo is scheduled for a plea hearing on June 9 in the 86th District Court.

Coppo was arrested on March 3 for drunk driving in Grand Traverse County after reportedly hitting a parked vehicle in the lot of the Great Wolf Lodge while driving a truck owned by the Houghton County Sheriff’s Department.

He is currently on temporary leave. Jon Giachino is serving as interim-undersheriff in his place.

We will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.

Last published: Apr 8, 2022 4:57:56 PM

A Houghton County Undersheriff on temporary leave plead not guilty to OWI charges in the 86th District Court today, according to WPBN.

Undersheriff Kevin Coppo was arrested for drunk driving in Grand Traverse County on March 3 after reportedly hitting a parked vehicle in the lot of the Great Wolf Lodge while driving a truck owned by the Houghton County Sheriff’s Department.

Deputies said he had a .24 Blood alcohol level. A judge placed Coppo on a $5,000 personnel recognizance bond.

He is not allowed to drink alcohol or enter establishments that serve it, and he must submit 2 tests per day to prove his sobriety.

We will update this story when his next court date is available.

Last published: Mar 11, 2022 3:36:48 PM

A formal trial has been requested for Houghton County Undersheriff Kevin Coppo following an arrest in Grand Traverse County in the early hours on March 3, according to the Grand Traverse County District Court.

Coppo had been placed on a temporary leave of absence by the Houghton County Sheriff’s Department. His leave was announced Thursday in tandem with that of Sgt. Jon Giachino’s appointment to the position in his absence.

The Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Department said Coppo was arrested for operating a vehicle under the influence. Coppo reportedly hit a parked vehicle in the lot of the Great Wolf Lodge while driving a truck owned by the Houghton County Sheriff’s Department.

Grand Traverse District Court said that Coppo refused a preliminary breath test.

According the Sheriff’s department he was released on bail. A hearing has not yet been scheduled.

Last published: Mar 10, 2022 6:05:52 PM

The Houghton County Sheriff’s Office has named Sgt. Jon Giachino to fill the temporary position of undersheriff.

The position was open following a leave of absence taken by Undersheriff Kevin Coppo.

“Jon’s knowledge of the office, dedication to the community and vision for the future aligns with the goals of our agency,” said Sheriff Joshua Saaranen. “Those goals include our promise not only to provide transparency, but accountability and service.”

The temporary vacancy opened following notification by the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office that Undersheriff Coppo had been involved in an incident requiring further investigation and processing in and by that county. As such, details are not able to be released by the Houghton County Sheriff’s Office as this is now a local personnel matter.

Further information will be forthcoming as it becomes available.