.png)
OCP photo/Oceana County Courthouse in Hart
By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor
HART — The Oceana County Prosecutor’s Office has completed its review of a 385-page report regarding allegations involving the Gull Lake High School football program, said Oceana County Prosecuting Attorney Joseph Bizon Wednesday, Oct. 28.
After a nearly four-month investigation, the Michigan State Police turned over the report to the Oceana County Prosecutor’s Office.
The Gull Lake school district is located in Richland, which is in southwest Michigan in Kalamazoo County.
The report is in the hands of the Oceana County prosecutor because the venue where the alleged wrongdoing occurred is in Oceana County. There are allegations of criminal hazing that took place at a Pentwater camp.
“The report has been reviewed,” said Prosecutor Bizon. “We will be contacting potential victims to evaluate their interests and ability to proceed with charges. I expect this will take a couple of weeks. When that is done, I will work with the prosecutors down there to coordinate charges they are comfortable with as best as possible.”
MSP received a report involving allegations connected to the Gull Lake football program last June and opened a criminal investigation in July. Head coach Jalon Simpson was placed on paid, non-disciplinary administrative leave in July.
An interim head coach was later named as the school initially prepared to continue the varsity football season. In August, the Gull Lake school district announced it would not field a varsity football team this season.
Gull Lake Community Schools later confirmed multiple Title IX investigations related to reports of hazing.
If the case goes to trial, it would have to be determined whether it takes place in Oceana County or Kalamazoo County. “Between the two courts, they would work it out,” said Bizon.
______________________________________
Please Support Local News Coverage
For generations, local newspapers were supported by subscriptions. Today, while Mason County Press and Oceana County Press remain free to everyone, the cost of producing quality local journalism continues to rise.
If you value independent local news coverage, we invite you to help sustain it by subscribing to the MCP/OCP Daily Briefing for $12 a month — about 40 cents a day — or $120 a year.
Your subscription helps support the reporters, photographers and editors who cover local government, schools, community events, sports, breaking news and the stories that matter most to Mason and Oceana counties. In return, you’ll receive the MCP/OCP Daily Briefing each morning with the day’s headlines, along with occasional breaking news and special email editions.
Monthly subscriptions are available for $12 per month.
Click here to subscribe monthly.
Annual subscriptions are available for $120 per year. That’s a two month savings!
Click here to subscribe annually.
If you prefer to pay by check, mail your $120 annual payment to:
Media Group 31, LLC
P.O. Box 21
Scottville, MI 49454
Please include your name, mailing address, email address and telephone number so we can activate your subscription.
Subscription payments must be received before service is activated.
Whether you choose to subscribe or continue enjoying our free content, thank you for reading Mason County Press and Oceana County Press. Your readership—and your support—helps ensure that independent local journalism remains available to everyone in our communities.
This story and original photography are copyrighted © 2026 by Media Group 31, LLC, P.O. Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454. All rights reserved. No portion of this story or its images may be reproduced in any form, including print, broadcast or electronic media, without the express written permission of Media Group 31, LLC.
As a news organization, Media Group 31 maintains published content as part of the public and historical record. Accordingly, stories are not removed after publication. At the editor’s discretion, stories may be updated or corrected as new information becomes available. Updates may be made by revising the original story or by publishing a follow-up story. Media Group 31, LLC reserves the right to modify this policy at any time. Please refer to our Use Policy for additional information.
.jpg)
