John Michel is a former law school classmate of Sarah Hornbeck. They attended law school at the same time, although he was about 20 years older than her.

According to Jeff Reichert, Michel had a longstanding crush on Sarah going back to their time in law school, and reportedly reconnected with her in 2020, shortly after a final custody order was signed between Sarah and Jeff

Relationship to Sarah Hornbeck and Residence:

• He is engaged to Defendant Sarah Hornbeck.
• He resides with Sarah Hornbeck and G.R. (Grant Reichert) at his residence in Baltimore County, Maryland.
• Sarah Hornbeck moved into Mr. Michel’s home with Grant in August 2020, about a week after his late wife passed away.
• His wife died after mysteriously falling down the stairs in late July 2020.
• He is described as Sarah’s latest boyfriend.
• Sarah and he began dating only two days after “Brandeen” broke it off with her.
• Sarah states she began spending time with Mr. Michel initially right around Thanksgiving of 2020.
• Sarah testified their relationship became “official” in December of 2021. Sarah wrote on November 30, 2020, that Daniel (her younger son) and she were with John Michel at his address, stating, “This is now our permanent address”.

Profession and Background:

• He is an attorney.
• He is known as a huge firearms fan and advocate.
• He is a firearm safety officer and was appointed by Governor Hogan to the Handgun Permit Review Board.
• He is an internationally certified defensive pistol association range officer and a nationally rifle association certified range safety officer.
• He is on staff at two gun clubs (Delta Beach Bottom Fish and Game Club and Associated Gun Clubs of Baltimore) where he officiates and acts as a safety officer.
• He is a musician and has a piano in his home.

Relationship with Children (Grant and Daniel):

• Grant Reichert currently resides with his mother and John Michel in Middle River, Maryland.
• Sarah takes her younger son, Daniel Engle, to John Michel’s house, and that’s where Daniel spends all his time while with his mother. Daniel and Grant share an in-suite bathroom in John Michel’s home.
• Sarah describes Mr. Michel as a “very good role model for Grant,” “patient,” “calm,” “honest,” and “kind.”
• Sarah’s father, Richard Hornbeck, testified that John Michel and Grant “get a long” well and that John Michel is an “excellent influence”, a “very decent person,” “energetic,” includes Grant in activities, and disciplines Grant appropriately. He has observed John Michel giving Grant coaching when needed, such as when he loses his temper in games.
• John Michel is actively involved in Grant’s activities, taking him to the art store, Airsoft, basketball, playing games, watching movies (especially Star Wars).
• Richard Hornbeck has seen Grant’s room at John Michel’s home and noted it is generally clean and Grant has his own room there. Grant’s room is described as a suite with a balcony overlooking the water.◦
• Grant reportedly sent a card expressing a desire to get away from John Michel.
• Grant reportedly recalled that his mother’s boyfriend, John Michael, took him to play with guns and said these were not good adult decisions.
• An allegation exists that Grant is afraid of Mr. Michel. Jeff Reichert states he doesn’t want Grant around weapons at all and is not comfortable with Mr. Michael firing firearms with Grant.
• Sarah denies that Grant is afraid of Mr. Michel and calls these allegations “completely untrue and false”, stating it “paints him in a false light”.
• Helen Laird was told by Sarah Hornbeck that John Michel has a gun safe and is a firearms safety expert, assuring Grant would not be exposed to firearms.

Involvement in Legal Proceedings:

• John Michel is a named Defendant in the Amended Complaint and Second Amended Complaint filed by Jeff Reichert.
• In the Amended Complaint, it is alleged that Defendant Michel made false representations in court, stating Defendant Hornbeck did not reside with him, for the purpose of stripping the Chesapeake JDR (Juvenile Domestic Relations) court of jurisdiction.
• Jeff Reichert obtained an ex parte order against “Mr. John Michael” in Virginia in December 2021, which was dismissed for lack of jurisdiction.◦
• John Michel is listed as “Plaintiff’s” witness on a hearing sheet from September 6, 2022. He was called as the first witness by Mr. McCarthy on that date. He was also called as a witness by Mr. McCarthy on August 7, 2023.
• Soberlink notifications for Sarah Hornbeck are set up to go to John Michel and Brennan McCarthy.

Interactions with Others:

• Helen Laird has said hello to him but had not interviewed him or visited his residence as of September 2, 2021. She interviewed him as part of her investigation for a hearing on September 6, 2022.
• Jeff Reichert states he doesn’t know what John Michel is to Sarah Hornbeck and couldn’t testify to that, claiming he “can’t keep track”. He does not know John Michel personally.

In summary, John Michel is a central figure in Sarah Hornbeck’s life as her fiancé and the person with whom she and her children reside. He is an attorney and firearms expert who is reportedly involved in Grant and Daniel’s activities and is viewed positively by Sarah and her father. He has also been involved in legal disputes with Jeff Reichert. He is not Grant’s legal guardian.

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