Former councilman faces felony gun charge

WARREN — Former Warren City Councilman Eddie Kabacinski is facing a felony charge for carrying a concealed weapon without a license after a traffic stop on April 28.

Kabacinski, 50, was arraigned in the 37th District Court before Judge Suzanne Faunce on May 2. The charge is a felony punishable up to five years in prison.

According to a press release from the Warren Police Department, Kabacinski was pulled over for an expired license plate and a cracked windshield. The plates on the Dodge van he was driving reportedly expired in October 2019.

Once police made contact with Kabacinski, they noticed a pistol in a holster on his right hip. Kabacinski reportedly informed police he had the gun and allegedly claimed that he did not require a concealed pistol license due to his retired military status. Police said Kabacinski showed officers his Michigan driver’s license and a silver badge bearing the words “United States Army” and “Military Retired Police.” He also reportedly showed police an expired United States Army Reserve military identification card.

Officers also found ammunition for the gun, handcuffs and keys for the handcuffs on Kabacinski.

At the time of the traffic stop, police determined further investigation was needed to verify if Kabacinski was illegally carrying a concealed handgun. The legally registered loaded revolver was seized as evidence, the vehicle was impounded and Kabacinski was issued a civil infraction for expired plates and a cracked windshield. He was released at the scene, according to police.

The incident was assigned to a Warren detective for further investigation on April 29. On the same day, the file was presented to the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office for a charging decision, and one charge of carrying a concealed weapon without a license was authorized.

“We will prosecute those who choose to unlawfully carry weapons. Everyone, regardless of who they are, is held accountable for their actions,” Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido in a statement about the charge.

According to police, Kabacinski wore a full military uniform when he surrendered at the Warren Police Department on May 2. He was arraigned the same day. Faunce set Kabacinski’s bond at $5,000 cash or surety. According to court records, bail was posted on May 3.

Kabacinski did not have an attorney listed in court records at press time.

A probable cause conference was scheduled for 8:45 a.m. on May 16 before Chief Judge John Chmura in the 37th District Court.

 

Prior incidents
In September 2022, Kabacinski was sentenced to a year of probation after he pleaded no contest to a charge of disturbing the peace in Eastpointe. The case centered around allegations that Kabacinski handcuffed a counterdemonstrator at a rally in support of then-President Donald Trump in October 2020.

Kabacinski was originally charged with impersonating a public officer, a one-year misdemeanor, and assault and battery, a 93-day misdemeanor. Those charges were dropped as part of the plea agreement.

The charges stemmed from an incident on Oct. 14, 2020, when Kabacinski “took (a) female into custody” after she approached a group of Trump supporters at a rally in Eastpointe, according to a police report. The victim reportedly placed three Black Lives Matter stickers onto three Trump signs.

In Kabacinski’s statement to Eastpointe police, he said the woman produced a canister that resembled a chemical irritant. According to the woman’s statement, it was “silly string.”

At Kabacinski’s arraignment, an Eastpointe detective told the judge Kabacinski “used a pressure point tactic” on the victim’s hand and “then physically placed her in handcuffs.”

She allegedly remained in handcuffs until police arrived, with Kabacinski waiting next to her. When Kabacinski was questioned about being a police officer, he allegedly showed them a badge, the detective said at the arraignment.

Less than a month before that incident, Kabacinski faced fallout from his involvement in a minor clash between groups of demonstrators during a planned “march against racism” near 11 Mile and Hoover roads. The march, organized by Detroit Will Breathe and the South Warren Alliance for Radical Movement, was planned after a series of incidents that included racist graffiti and gunshots directed at the home of a Black family. Openly carrying a holstered pistol and a bullhorn with a shoulder strap, Kabacinski stood opposite the marchers with a group of counterdemonstrators he later said turned out to “back the blue” in support of law enforcement.

In reports shown after the march, Kabacinski can be seen on video flashing a badge during an interaction with marchers and ordering people to leave by “lawful order.”

In August 2021, Kabacinski was arrested in Utica for selling merchandise without a permit at a Trump rally. According to court records, he was found guilty by a jury in June 2023, sentenced to a year of nonreporting probation and ordered to pay a total of $825 in fines and costs.

In August 2023, Kabacinski finished fourth in the primary election for his Warren City Council seat in District 5. He was not on the ballot for the general election and left office last November.