MICHIGAN — A West Michigan man known by the alias “Batman” is facing felony drug charges in Van Buren County after authorities say he was found hiding at a Kalamazoo hotel.
Bruce Wayne Smith Jr., 51, was charged Friday with delivery/manufacture of methamphetamine, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.
According to Van Buren County Judge Michael McKay, Smith could face up to life in prison if convicted because he is considered a fourth-time habitual offender.
The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office said Smith, who had been wanted since April, was arrested Thursday at the Stay Bridge Suites on Seneca Lane in Kalamazoo.
Detectives with the sheriff’s office narcotics unit received a tip shortly after 11 a.m. regarding Smith’s location and found him inside the hotel. Authorities said he was taken into custody without incident.
Smith had several outstanding warrants at the time of his arrest, including a Van Buren County felony warrant for methamphetamine delivery and misdemeanor failure-to-appear warrants from Kalamazoo County and the Portage Department of Public Safety.
Authorities said Smith’s criminal history dates back more than 30 years to 1993. His prior felony convictions include larceny in a building in 2003, operating while impaired in 2017 and methamphetamine possession in 2024.
Officials said Van Buren County investigators continue making regular arrests connected to drug trafficking as part of efforts to remove dangerous drugs from local communities.
Judge McKay set Smith’s bond at $300,000. If released, Smith would be required to wear a GPS tether and undergo routine drug and alcohol testing.
