By Richard Zowie
Special to The Review
A 61-year-old Addison Township man running for public office faces two charges–one a felony and the other a misdemeanor–for threats he allegedly made Aug. 12 to the Lake Orion branch of TCF Bank.
Sereal Leonard Gravlin, an independent candidate for Addison Township supervisor in the Nov. 4 election, was arraigned Aug. 27 in Rochester Hills 52-3 District Court before Magistrate Marie Soma. Gravlin is facing two counts ? firearms possession by a convicted felon and malicious use of telecommunications services.
The first charge carries a five-year prison sentence and/or $5,000 fine while the second carries a six-month jail sentence and/or a $1,000 fine.
At his arraignment, Gravlin pleaded not guilty. Court officials say that though he didn’t have an attorney, Gravlin has retained one but they don’t know who he or she is.
Gravlin, who does not have telephone service at his house, could not be reached for comment.
According to Lake Orion Police Chief Jerry Narsh, Gravlin was arrested without incident and was cooperative. He was released on a $10,000 personal bond.
Police say on Aug. 12, Gravlin went to a friend’s house and called the Detroit office of U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow to complain about a financial matter with his bank. Gravlin was reportedly upset over his direct-deposit social security check being garnished to correct an out-of-balance loan of his. Gravlin allegedly demanded that Stabenow use her influence to get his money back.
That’s when, according to Narsh, Gravlin made threatening comments about the bank to Stabenow’s staff member. Gravlin allegedly told someone from Stabenow’s office that if the senator wouldn’t do anything, he’d go down to the TCF Bank with a gun and get his money back. Stabenow’s office immediately contacted the police to report the alleged threat.
When told the comment was ‘improper,? he reportedly apologized and tried to retract it.
That next morning, Lake Orion police went to Gravlin’s home in Addison and interviewed him. Narsh described Gravlin as cooperative and said that he willingly allowed the police to take a his firearm, a Winchester pump-action 12-gauge shotgun, into their possession for safekeeping.
According to Narsh Gravlin reportedly admitted calling the senator’s office but denied making any threats. However, Gravlin’s friend told police that he had indeed made a threat against the bank.
Narsh said the testimony of the neighbor, described as a long-time friend of Gravlin’s, was sufficient enough to move things forward.
‘When you’re caught in the middle, you have to do the right thing,? the chief said.
When police did research and learned of Gravlin’s prior felony conviction, that’s when charges were issued.
‘When someone makes a statement in anger, most often we don’t act out on it,? Narsh said. ‘But when they make threat and have means to act it out and a previous conviction shows a pattern of violence, it definitely ups the concerns of law enforcement. We always side on safety. Thankfully, no one was injured. [Gravlin] obviously handled it horribly.?
According to court records, Nash said, Gravlin was previously arrested in 1986 for assault with a dangerous weapon. Oakland County prosecutor Greg Townsend, who prosecuted the case, said that the Addison Township man committed felonious assault by threatening his (Gravlin’s) mother with a butcher knife. He added that Gravlin made her remove her clothes, kneel on the floor, then threatened her life.
Gravlin was convicted in 1987 and spent a year in the Oakland County jail and five years on probation, according to Townsend.
‘It’s one of those cases that stands out,? Townsend recalled. ‘It was his own mother and obviously showed some type of hostility.?
The prosecutor added that he wasn’t surprised by Gravlin’s latest arrest.
‘It’s one case you hope you never hear from him again but never surprised when you do,? Townsend said.
The next step for Gravlin is a pre-examination conference on September 4 at 8:30 a.m. in front of 52-3 District Judge Lisa Asadoorian.
Republican nominee Bruce Pearson, who will face off against Gravlin in the Nov. 4 race for township supervisor, declined comment other than he hoped Gravlin would be able to get it resolved.