Marie Francis Mergen

On March 23, 2026, at approximately 01:26 A.M., Officer Moran with the Grand Rapids Police Department was on patrol when she traveled into Veteran's Park within the city of Grand Rapids in Itasca County to conduct a property check. While traveling eastbound through the park, Officer Moran observed a vehicle's headlights come on. The vehicle started driving towards her location as she continued eastbound. Officer Moran noted that the park was currently and that the hours of operation were between 6:00 A.M. And 10:00 P.M. Officer Moran turned her spotlight on and directed it at the suspect vehicle.

Officer Moran then exited her squad vehicle and observed that the suspect vehicle came to a stop within a short distance of her squad vehicle. Officer Moran approached the driver's side door of the suspect vehicle and identified the driver as Dennis James Moffitt [DOB REDACTED]. While speaking with Moffitt, Officer Moran observed a multicolored glass paraphernalia bong containing a white residue. Through her training and experience, Officer Moran noted that the residue resembled methamphetamine. The bong was located in front of the middle passenger seat between the driver and the front passenger.

Officer Moran asked Moffitt what brought the them into the city of Grand Rapids and Moffitt indicated that they came to Grand Rapids to do laundry. Officer Moran identified the front passenger as Marie Francis Mergen [DOB REDACTED]. The rear passenger directly behind Mergen was identified as Amy Jean Parsons [DOB REDACTED]. Officer Moran asked Moffitt about the paraphernalia bong located in plain view within his vehicle. Moffitt stated that he used the bong for dabs, which is commonly known for marijuana wax.

Through her training and experience, Officer Moran suspected that Moffitt not being truthful as marijuana and/or marijuana wax is not white in color. Officer Moran observed that Moffitt's eyes were glossy and dilated, which through her training and experience she recognized as possible indicators that someone is under the influence of a controlled substance. Officer Moran asked Moffitt if there were any weapons inside the vehicle, including any guns. Moffitt said no and then stated that there were swords inside the vehicle.

Moffitt further stated that it was not his vehicle so he was not sure if there were any guns inside the vehicle. Officer Moran again asked Moffitt if there were any guns inside the vehicle. At that time, Officer Moran observed Moffitt begin to reach behind to his hip area toward the seat belt. Officer Moran told Moffitt not to reach for anything, and Moffitt stopped. Officer Moran then asked Moffitt if there were any controlled substances inside the vehicle. Mergen responded and said no. Moffitt then told Officer Moran yes and further told Mergen that it was better to be honest.

Officer Moran told Moffitt to step out of the vehicle. While doing so, Moffitt started reaching behind to his hip area to remove his seat belt when he grabbed a firearm and raised it toward the open window on the driver's side door toward the officers' location. Officer Moran observed the revolver to be loaded with the cylinder open, which rendered the firearm unable to be fired until the cylinder was closed. Officer Moran immediately secured Moffitt's hands while Deputy Trombley secured the firearm.