Montcalm County medical examiner investigator facing jail time

By Elisabeth Waldon • Last Updated 8:09 am on Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Jason Danford

STANTON — A medical examiner investigator for Montcalm County pleaded guilty Thursday to using a county credit/debit card for personal use.

Jason Danford, 38, of Sheridan, entered his plea in 8th Judicial Circuit Court to stealing or retaining a financial transaction device without consent. The conviction is a possible four-year felony, but Danford likely will be sentenced to 30 days in jail due to a plea agreement.

Danford admitted to using the county’s card to purchase $239 in gas in Carson City and Stanton last July. He also used the card illegally in Grand Rapids, Ionia and Williamston, but those charges will be dismissed in exchange for his plea.

Danford must pay restitution for all county expenses involved.

The Montcalm County Sheriff’s Office investigated the crime.

Danford was hired as a medical examiner investigator by Sparrow Forensic Pathology in Lansing, the medical examiner’s office for Montcalm County. Danford is no longer employed by Sparrow.

About the Author

Elisabeth Waldon

Elisabeth Waldon is news editor of The Daily News, where she began as an intern in 2001. Her beat includes courts/cops/crime and Montcalm County government. She is also editor of The Carson City Gazette. She loves investigative reporting, telling small-town stories, frequenting music halls, experimenting with photography and being a wife and mother in the "Panhandle" of Montcalm County.

Elisabeth Waldon has written 554 articles.

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Eric Smith

January 15, 2012 at 4:43 pm

Jason Danford was not associated with Montcalm County in any way. The headline is very misleading. Sensational yes, but very misleading. Jason was an independent contractor of Sparrow Hospital. The county contracted with Sparrow to provide ME services within Montcalm County, and Sparrow contracted with Jason. He had no association with the county whatsoever, depsite what the headline implies. I believe it is very important for the community to know this.

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