UPDATE: 1 of 6 charged in Norway Township assault sentenced Thursday

IRON MOUNTAIN, Mich. (WLUC) - UPDATE: Regan Passamani appeared for sentencing Thursday before Judge Julie LaCost in Dickinson County District Court. The Iron River 18-year-old is one of six young adults accused of assaulting a 21-year-old Norway man on April 1.

“That poor decision-making is going to follow you around for a long time,” said LaCost.

In September, Passamani pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor aggravated assault charge. On Thursday, LaCost sentenced Passamani to one year of probation and 50 days in jail.

Passamani already served 15 days. Of the remaining, 25 will be in abeyance – or temporarily suspended. 10 more days can be suspended if she serves 10 days of community service. Passamani was ordered to pay $1,165 in fines, plus $300 monthly payments in restitution.

Police say Passamani was the one who messaged the victim, Trentin McWilliams, the night of the attack.

“Had you not put all of this in motion, chances are this would never have taken place,” LaCost said.

Sandra Danielson, the mother of the victim read a victim impact statement on the trauma her son has endured.

“What were you thinking, when you watched Trentin laying on the ground, being stomped on, punched and kicked with steel-toed boots by your friends,” said Danielson.

Passamani addressed the court, saying she felt her involvement in the attack was embarrassing.

“I never want to be responsible for this again. I am very remorseful and regret my involvement in this incident,” Passamani said.

Passamani has willingly been re-interviewed by the police. She will testify in cases involving the other five charged adults. Depending on her actions on probation she is eligible for a general delay of probation, but not an early release.

TV6 will continue to follow this story.

Last published: Nov 3, 2022 6:31:11 PM

UPDATE: One of the defendants in the Norway Township assault that happened on April 1 has been sentenced.

Regan Passamani plead “no contest” to the charge of misdemeanor aggravated assault on Sept. 13. On Thursday, Nov. 3, Passamani appeared in Dickinson County District Court for sentencing.

After reviewing statements from the defense and prosecution— including a victim impact statement from the victim Trentin McWilliams’ mother— Passamani was found guilty.

She was sentenced to one year of probation and is required to pay $1,165 dollars in fines, as well as $300 monthly in restitution.

Passamani was also sentenced to 50 days in jail, 15 of which she has already served. Of the remaining time, 25 days will be served in abeyance, and 10 can be suspended if Passamani completes 10 days of community service.

The prosecution requested no early release from probation, which Judge Julie LaCost granted. Passamani can earn a delay of probation sentencing.

As part of her agreement with the prosecution, Passamani will testify in court against other co-defendants.

As of Nov. 3, the other five defendants are scheduled for jury trial on March 13.

Last published: Oct 19, 2022 6:28:40 PM

A jury trial date has been set for five people accused of an April 1 Norway Township assault.

Defendant Regan Passamani pleaded no contest to the charge of misdemeanor assault in September. The other five defendants -- Adam Loomis, Zachary Pellegrini, Katherine Puma, Payton Thompson and John Zanon are now scheduled for a jury trial starting March 13.

The court needed to find a large enough location to try five co-defendants at once. The Dickinson County District Courtroom is not large enough.

Judge Julie LaCost said 100 possible jurors will be summoned on March 13 to the Dickinson County Circuit Courtroom.

After jury selection is complete, the trial will continue for the rest of the week inside Iron Mountain City Hall. TV6 will continue to follow this developing story.

Last published: Oct 17, 2022 12:22:36 PM

The court dates for 6 charged in a Norway Assault in April have been rescheduled.

Regan Passamani, who plead “no contest” in September to aggravated assault, was previously scheduled for sentencing on Oct. 13. Her sentencing date was adjourned to Nov. 3.

The other five who were charged in the assault — Adam Loomis, Zachary Pellegrini, Katherine Puma, Payton Thompson and John Zanon — were previously scheduled to stand trial on Sept. 30 and Oct. 7. However, all jury trials were adjourned to a supplemental pretrial conference scheduled for Oct. 19.

TV6 will have a reporter present for the jury trial. We will continue to update this story as new information becomes available.

Last published: Sep 13, 2022 3:23:17 PM

One of the six people charged for involvement in a Norway Township assault in April plead “no contest” Tuesday.

Regan Passamani plead “no contest” in Dickinson County District Court to aggravated assault, a misdemeanor.

By pleading “no contest,” Passamani waived her right to a trial, understanding that the court can sentence her as they see appropriate, up to the maximum penalty. For aggravated assault, the maximum penalty, according to Judge LaCost, can include restitution, up to one year in jail, and up to a $1,000 fine. In Michigan, a “no contest” plea does not admit guilt; rather, the defendant chooses not to argue the charges.

Passamani will be sentenced on Oct. 13.

During the hearing, Judge LaCost read aloud a portion of the police report, which alleged Passamani messaged the victim, Trentin McWilliams on April 1, at the request of the co-defendants. This allegedly brought McWilliams to the scene of the crime. The report said, as a result of the message, the victim suffered serious injuries.

The other five who were charged in the assault — Adam Loomis, Zachary Pellegrini, Katherine Puma, Payton Thompson and John Zanon — are still scheduled to stand trial on Sept. 30 and Oct. 7.

TV6 will continue to follow this story as it develops. For more information, read the previous story below.

Last published: Jul 12, 2022 4:05:16 PM

The names of six people charged in a Dickinson County assault are now public.

They are accused of assaulting a 21-year-old Norway man on April 1. The suspects made their first public court appearance Wednesday.

As victim Trentin McWilliams and his family watched, six young adults entered not-guilty pleas in Dickinson County District Court. The arraignment comes nearly three months after the Michigan State Police started investigating a Norway Township assault.

McWilliams’ mother said it left the young man with a fractured nose, cuts on his face and damaged teeth.

Adam Loomis, Regan Passamani, Zachary Pellegrini, Katherine Puma, Payton Thompson and John Zanon are charged with misdemeanor aggravated assault. Loomis, Pellegrini, Thompson and Zanon are also charged with wearing a mask to commit a crime, also a misdemeanor.

In a statement to TV6, Samuel Bennett, the lawyer representing the McWilliams family, said he is disappointed the six don’t face felonies.

“We are all disheartened by the lack of seriousness from the prosecutor and her office,” Bennett said. “They have only charged these individuals with simple assault, aggravated assault and wearing a mask to commit a crime, all misdemeanors, which is clearly a massive undercharging based on the injuries.”

TV6 requested a comment from the Dickinson County Prosecutor’s Office about charging decisions, but the prosecutor declined, referencing Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct for extrajudicial comments.

The six were arrested two weeks ago. The four defendants charged with two misdemeanors each posted a $1,000 personal recognizance bond. Passamani and Puma posted $500 personal recognizance bonds. Judge Julie LaCost ordered them to have no contact with McWilliams.

Four defendants have a trial date of Sept. 30 and two are scheduled to stand trial on Oct. 7. Another one of the accused attackers is a minor and was processed in probate court.

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