Prosecutor Hilson’s 16-Page Report Exposes Serious Failures in Muskegon Heights Government, Questions Land Deals and City Oversight

Investigation examines council members, family property transactions and years of questionable management of taxpayer-owned properties.

MUSKEGON HEIGHTS, MI — October 27, 2026 — Muskegon County Prosecutor D.J. Hilson has released a detailed 16-page investigative memorandum documenting what his office describes as serious failures in government oversight, questionable city-owned property transactions, potential conflicts of interest and inadequate financial accountability within the City of Muskegon Heights.

The memorandum, titled Disposition Memorandum — City of Muskegon Heights Investigation, follows a major law enforcement investigation that included search warrants executed at City Hall on July 23, 2026.

Investigators from Michigan State Police, working in cooperation with the FBI, DEA and IRS, reviewed more than 7,000 digital items and conducted numerous interviews examining the conduct of city officials and the handling of public property.

Although criminal charges have been filed against Councilmembers Derrick Collins and Lashae Simmons, the memorandum reveals a much broader investigation involving several elected officials, family members, city employees and the city’s legal counsel.

Council Members Were Warned About Family Conflicts of Interest

One of the most significant findings involves a warning issued to city leadership more than a year before the prosecutor released his report.

Investigators discovered a January 29, 2025, memorandum written by then-Interim City Manager Melvin Burns to Mayor Bonnie McGlothin.

Burns expressed concerns about awarding city-owned properties to immediate family members of City Council members, citing municipal ethics guidelines.

The warning was subsequently forwarded to City Council members on April 16, 2025.

Despite that warning, investigators documented subsequent council votes involving properties awarded through the city’s bidding process to relatives of elected officials.

Councilman Ronald Jenkins Voted on Property Awarded to His Son

According to the prosecutor’s memorandum, Councilmember Ronald Jenkins participated in two City Council votes involving a property at 2420 Reynolds Avenue that had been awarded through the bidding process to his adult son, Ronald Jenkins Jr.

Investigators determined that Jenkins Jr. submitted the highest of two bids for the property.

At a November 12, 2024, council meeting, Jenkins voted in favor of approving the property sales, which included the property awarded to his son.

At a second meeting on April 13, 2026, Jenkins again participated in the process, seconding a motion to approve the winning bids and voting in favor.

The prosecutor reported that the meeting records did not show Jenkins publicly disclosing his family relationship or abstaining from the votes.

Both motions failed to receive the required five-vote supermajority, meaning the property remained in city ownership.

Hilson concluded that although Jenkins should have disclosed the relationship and abstained as a matter of best practice, the facts did not establish a criminal violation.

William Kitchen’s Communications About City Property Investigated

The memorandum also describes communications involving Councilmember William Kitchen and an individual identified as Reveal Warren.

According to investigators, communications from early 2026 suggested that Kitchen was willing to assist Warren in obtaining several city-owned properties in exchange for money.

The properties included:

• 161 E. Cleveland Avenue
• 3327 Eighth Street
• 3016 Eighth Street
• 3332 Eighth Street

Investigators determined that neither Kitchen nor Warren appeared as bidders on the properties.

The report also notes that Kitchen publicly expressed concerns about council members benefiting from city property sales and voted against the proposed transfers.

Prosecutors concluded that the available evidence did not meet the legal requirements to charge Kitchen or Warren with a criminal offense.

City Attorney Te Smith’s Conduct Referred for Professional Review

Another significant finding involves Muskegon Heights City Attorney Te Smith.

Investigators reviewed Smith’s contract with the city, which began August 25, 2023, and provided compensation of $17,000 per month for a two-year term.

The memorandum states that Smith acknowledged preparing a deed transferring city-owned property to Councilmember Derrick Collins and presenting that document to the mayor.

The property transaction is now connected to the criminal charge against Collins.

During his interview, Smith reportedly appeared unaware of applicable state laws and city ordinances governing conflicts of interest involving elected officials.

Hilson determined that the available evidence did not establish criminal wrongdoing by Smith.

However, the prosecutor announced that the information would be forwarded to the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission for an independent evaluation of whether further investigation into Smith’s professional conduct is warranted.

Former Fire Chief’s Property Transactions Detailed

The memorandum also examines land transactions involving Shawnderrick Roberson, who is separately facing charges involving possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and state tax evasion.

Investigators documented multiple property transfers between Roberson and Javon Brewer, an individual federally indicted on drug charges.

Several properties were originally acquired from the Muskegon County Land Bank for relatively small amounts before being transferred to Brewer for zero dollars, according to the memorandum.

One property at 3113 Waalkes Street was purchased for $500 in 2016, transferred to Brewer in 2018 for zero dollars and subsequently sold to a third party in 2023 for $86,000.

Other properties were later involved in transactions valued at tens of thousands of dollars.

Hilson explained that the transactions examined occurred outside the applicable six-year criminal statute of limitations, preventing his office from filing charges based on those older transactions.

City-Owned Homes Occupied While City Collected No Rent or Property Taxes

Beyond individual officials, the prosecutor identified serious problems with the city’s management of properties it owns.

At 161 E. Cleveland Avenue, investigators found that a resident had been living in a property for more than two years after attempting to purchase it through the city’s bidding process.

Although the resident was reportedly told he had submitted the winning bid, City Council never finalized the sale.

The resident continued occupying the property with permission from a city employee while paying utilities but no property taxes.

At 3332 Eighth Street, investigators discovered another troubling situation.

According to the memorandum, an individual was collecting rent from a tenant living in city-owned property even though the city itself was receiving no rental payments.

Investigators reported that city personnel were aware of the living arrangements.

These examples demonstrate how inadequate documentation, incomplete property transfers and weak oversight may have prevented the city from collecting revenue.

Prosecutor Calls for Major Changes to Property Sales

The prosecutor’s report goes beyond identifying individual transactions.

Hilson questions whether the city has adequate procedures to prevent conflicts of interest, protect taxpayer-owned assets and ensure accountability.

He recommends that the city establish stronger oversight, clearly identify who is responsible for monitoring property transactions and maintain more complete government records.

Most notably, Hilson reports that he has spoken with the Muskegon County Land Bank, which is willing to help facilitate a new auction involving 20 properties still owned by Muskegon Heights.

He strongly recommends that the city work with the county agency to ensure a transparent process free from collusion.

Investigation Remains Open

Although the memorandum addresses numerous individuals and transactions, Hilson emphasizes that the investigation is continuing.

Additional areas remain under review, and the prosecutor has not ruled out further criminal charges.

The report distinguishes between questionable conduct, potential ethics violations and actions that meet the legal requirements for criminal prosecution.

Not every official examined was accused of a crime. Investigators reported finding no noteworthy property transactions or evidence implicating Mayor Pro Tem Kellie Kitchen or Councilmember Andre Williams in potentially criminal behavior.

The two newly charged council members, Derrick Collins and Lashae Simmons, are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

A Strong Warning to Muskegon Heights Leadership

Perhaps the most consequential part of the memorandum is the prosecutor’s conclusion about the overall condition of city government.

Hilson writes:

“It is very clear from this investigation that important parts of the City of Muskegon Heights Government have failed the citizens of Muskegon Heights.”

He also warns:

“A government that is not transparent or one that has sloppy or non-existent records, becomes a breeding ground for fraud and corruption.”

The prosecutor’s findings raise fundamental questions about how Muskegon Heights has managed public property, enforced ethical standards and protected the financial interests of its residents.

While criminal proceedings will determine the legal responsibility of the individuals charged, the broader problems identified in the report present challenges that city leadership will need to address regardless of the outcome of those cases.

103.7 The Beat is publishing the full 16-page investigative memorandum so residents can examine the prosecutor’s findings for themselves.

Public Memo – Final

This is a developing story. 103.7 The Beat will continue following the investigation, criminal proceedings and any actions taken by city leadership in response to the prosecutor’s findings.