Accused Hillsdale shooter had larceny, drug, gun charges

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — A criminal background check of the man accused of shooting and killing a Hillsdale County sheriff’s deputy shows he has faced multiple felony charges since 2013, including two felony firearm charges. But he was able to enter plea deals in all three court cases resulting in misdemeanor convictions and the dropping of felony firearm charges in the two cases.

Police say Eric Michael Fiddler opened fire on officers during a traffic stop Thursday. A deputy was killed in that shooting, and it spawned an hours-long manhunt for Fiddler.

Late Thursday, law enforcement confronted him, and he opened fire, they say. He was shot and killed.

Court records show Fiddler was out on bond for a September 2023 larceny. He was arraigned on the misdemeanor charge of larceny, or stealing, more than $200 but less than $1000 court records show.

Records from the Michigan State Police iCHAT system, a criminal background check program, reveal he had three misdemeanor guilty pleas since 2013.

The criminal background check revealed he was charged on May 1, 2013, for felony possession of cocaine or ecstasy and one count of felony firearm. He was also charged with a misdemeanor charge of possession of marijuana or synthetic equivalent.

On May 22, 2013, he entered a guilty plea of using a controlled substance, a misdemeanor charge, and the possession of marijuana misdemeanor. The felony firearm charge was dropped. Court records for this case were not immediately available.

In November 2018, he was charged with a felony of assault, resisting or obstructing a police officer. On Dec. 5, 2018, he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of assaulting a police officer. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail and fines.

In February 2018, he was charged with a felony of possession of a controlled substance — cocaine, MDMA, Meth — with intent to distribute or manufacture. He was also charged with felony firearm. In March of 2018, court records show he entered a guilty plea of one count of use of narcotic or controlled substance, a misdemeanor. The felony firearm charge was dismissed by the prosecutor as part of the plea deal.

In addition to the criminal charges, Fiddler was also cited for multiple traffic violations from careless driving to muffler issues to speeding, court records show.

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