Dubuque pawn shop owner faces 1/2 century in prison

[47of74]

One of Dubuque's finest who helped propel Dubuque to a bright and uncomfortable national spotlight when he helped burned a cross in a local couple's yard which engulfed their garage is in trouble with the law again.

A Dubuque pawn shop owner faces up to 50 years in prison on charges alleging that he was the mastermind behind a number of burglaries, drug and prostitution rings and firearm violations in the area since 2007.

Michael H. Vandermillen, owner of Dubuque Pawn, appeared in video court Thursday morning for his initial appearance on charges that include ongoing criminal conduct for allegations that he conducted an enterprise of unlawful activity over five years. The police complaint alleges Vandermillen, 38, directed at least eight people to conduct thefts and burglaries around the city. In at least two of the instances, he would pay for the stolen goods with cash or heroin.

Vandermillen also was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and served warrants charging two counts of assault causing injury and two counts of delivery of Oxycodone.

The criminal complaint for the most severe of the charges, ongoing criminal conduct, details allegations that would indicate Vandermillen organized a mini crime syndicate from his pawn shop.

[Auntie Bush]

1. Good...lock this habitual criminal in up forever!

I don't usually say things like that but this guy has got to go.