Ascend Removal Services LLC Cease and Desist Order

v STATE OF MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS CORPORATIONS, SECURITIES & COMMERCIAL LICENSING BUREAU DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS, CORPORATIONS, SECURITIES & COMMERCIAL LICENSING BUREAU Complainant, DAMARIOUS JOHNSON ENF-25-020240 and ASCEND REMOVAL SERVICES LLC Unregistered Respondents. ____________________________________________/ Issued and entered This 16th day of December 2025 NOTICE AND ORDER TO CEASE AND DESIST The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau (“Department”), based on an investigation conducted under sections 502 to 504 of the Michigan Occupational Code, (“Occupational Code”), MCL 339.502 to MCL 339.504, immediately orders Damarious Johnson (“Johnson”) and Ascend Removal Services LLC (collectively “Respondents”) to stop violating the Occupational Code and rules promulgated under the Occupational Code by engaging in the practice of operating a removal service without a license. I. FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS ENF-25-020240 Page 1 of 6

-Removal Services LLC https://ascendremoval.wixsite.com/ascend-removal-servi. 1. Respondents, have at no time relevant to this Notice and Order to Cease and Desist (“Order”), been registered as a removal service under Article 18A of the Occupational Code, MCL 339.1851 to 1873. A verification showing Respondent’s registration status under the Occupational Code is attached as Exhibit 1. 2. On September 12, 2025, the Department received a statement of complaint from alleging that Respondents are operating a removal service without a registration. 3. Department staff investigated the statement of complaint consistent with MCL 339.502 to 339.504. 4. On September 12, 2025, Department staff searched MiClear and found that the Respondents started an application for removal service registration; however, the application was not completed. 5. On September 16, 2025, Department staff conducted an internet search for Respondents. A Facebook page was located for Johnson and Ascend Removal Services LLC. Johnson’s Facebook page showed Johnson is the Chief Executive Officer & Founder of Ascend Removal Services LLC. Ascend Removal Service, LLC’s Facebook page advertises mortuary transport and Funeral home support services. A copy of Johnson’s and Ascend’s Facebook pages are attached as Exhibit 2. 6. On September 16, 2025, Department staff located the webpage for Ascend The website advertises professional decedent transfers across Michigan. The website shows Johnson is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the business. The website advertises the following services: a. Transfer from residence b. Transfer from Hospital c. Transfer from Nursing Facility d. Organ & Tissue Transport e. Funeral Support Staff f. Long Distance Transfer A copy of https://ascendremoval.wixsite.com/ascend-removal-servi is attached as Exhibit 3. 7. Ascend Removal Services, LLC (Entity ID # 803300681) was organized as a limited liability company in the State of Michigan on November 22, 2024, by Johnson. The entity has a registered office mailing address of 6622 Maplebrook Lane, Grand Blanc, MI 48507. Its registered agent is Damarious D. Johnson with a mailing address of 6622 Maplebrook Lane, Grand Blanc, MI 48507. A copy of Ascend Removal Services, LLC’s Articles of Organization are attached as Exhibit 4. ENF-25-020240 Page 2 of 6

1. On September 24, 2025, Department staff spoke with Johnson. Johnson confirmed the company is named Ascend Removal Services. Johnson was made aware of the complaint that alleged unlicensed activity. Johnson stated that they suspended removal services until Ascend Removal Services LLC is registered in the state of Michigan. Johnson confirmed that he started an application for registration. Johnson stated he has not been able to find the requirements for registration in Michigan. Department staff requested Respondents remove all removal services from his website and Facebook until the company is licensed. 9. On September 24, 2025, Department staff emailed Respondents the inspection list requirements and Occupational Code Article 18A which is used to license removal service companies. The email also requested that Respondents remove all advertisements from Facebook and his website by October 1, 2025. 10. As of the date of filing of this cease-and-desist order, the Respondents continue to advertise removal services on his webpage and Facebook page. A copy of Respondent Ascend Removal Services LLC advertisement dated November 29, 2025 is attached as Exhibit 5. STATUTORY AUTHORITY 11. Section 105 of the Occupational Code, MCL 339.105, provides the following in relevant part and subparts: (5) "Person" means any of the following: (a) An individual. (b) A sole proprietorship, partnership, association, corporation, limited liability company, or common law trust. (c) A combination of persons described in subdivision (a) or (b). 12. Section 601 of the Occupational Code, MCL 339.601, provides the following in relevant part: (1) A person shall not engage in or attempt to engage in the practice of an occupation regulated under this act or use a title designated in this act unless the person possesses a license or registration issued by the department for the occupation. 13. Section 604 of the Occupational Code, MCL 339.604, provides the following in relevant parts: A person who violates 1 or more of the following shall be subject to the penalties prescribed in section 602: * * * (b) Practices fraud, deceit, or dishonesty in practicing an occupation. * * * ENF-25-020240 Page 3 of 6
   (f) Practices false advertising. * * * (h) Violates any other provision of this act or a rule promulgated under this act for which a penalty is not otherwise prescribed. 14. Section 1851 of the Occupational Code, MCL 339.1851, provides the following in relevant parts: (p) “Registrant” means a person that holds a removal service certificate of registration issued under section 1855. (q) "Removal service" means a person that operates independently of a funeral establishment that handles the initial removal of a dead human body and transports the dead human body in an authorized vehicle to and from an authorized person. 15. Section 1855 of the Occupational Code, MCL 339.1855, provides the following in relevant part: (1) The department shall issue a removal service certificate of registration that is valid for 2 years to an applicant . . . . II. LEGAL ALLEGATIONS 16. Respondents’ conduct, as described above, constitutes engaging in the practice of removal services, without a registration, contrary to MCL 339.1855, in violation of MCL 339.601(1) and MCL 339.604(h). 17. Respondents’ conduct, as described above, constitutes fraud, deceit, or dishonesty in the practice of an occupation, in violation of MCL 339.604(b). 18. Respondents’ conduct, as described above, constitutes false advertising, in violation of MCL 339.604(f). III. ORDER IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED, under MCL 339.506, that: A. Respondents must immediately stop violating the Occupational Code, in the manner alleged above, by ceasing to engage in the practice of operating a removal service until it obtains a registration from the Department. B. Within sixty (60) days of the date this Order becomes final, Respondents must provide the Department at the address indicated in paragraph VI or via email at LARA-CSCL-Order-Monitoring@michigan.gov, one of the following: i. Documentary proof to the satisfaction of the Department that Respondents obtained a removal service registration under the Occupational Code; OR ENF-25-020240 Page 4 of 6

2. Documentary proof to the satisfaction of the Department that Respondents ceased advertising their services as available to customers in Michigan, and a notarized statement from stating that they have ceased engaging in the practice of a removal service the effective date of this Order. C. Violations of MCL 339.601 may lead to additional or concurrent civil, criminal, or administrative actions brought by the Department or the Department of Attorney General consistent with MCL 339.602, 339.506, 339.601, and 339.605. D. The Department of Attorney General may apply to the circuit court of this state to retrain and enjoin, temporarily or permanently, or both, persons from further violating this Order. MCL 339.506. E. A person licensed or required to be licensed under the Occupational Code found in violation of the Occupational Code or a rule or order promulgated or issued under the Occupational Code following the service of a formal complaint is also subject to the denial of a license or renewal of a license under the Occupational Code. They may also be censured, required to make restitution, or have their license, if any, fined, limited, suspended, revoked, or placed on probation. MCL 339.105 and 339.602. F. This Order is effective on its issued and entered date. IV. NOTICE OF OPPORTUNITY FOR HEARING Under MCL 339.506(2), Respondent has thirty (30) days beginning on the effective date of this Order to submit a written request to the Department asking that this matter be scheduled for a hearing. If the Department receives a written request in a timely manner, the Department will schedule a hearing. Otherwise, Respondent’s right to a hearing to consider this Order will be forfeited. The written request for hearing must be addressed by mail, fax, or email to: Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau Regulatory Compliance Division P.O. Box 30018 Lansing, MI 48909 Email: CSCL-FOIA@michigan.gov Fax: (517) 763-0040 V. ORDER FINAL ABSENT HEARING REQUEST Respondents’ failure to submit a written request for hearing to the Department within thirty (30) days after the effective date of this Order will result in this Order becoming a FINAL ORDER by operation of law. The FINAL ORDER includes the submission of the documentation described in paragraph V.B. The documentation is due to the Department within sixty (60) days after this Order becomes a FINAL ORDER. ENF-25-020240 Page 5 of 6
   ~ ~ ~ l f MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS BY____________________________________ Benjamin Parker Licensing Division Director Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau Dated: __________________ 12/12/2025ENF-25-020240 Page 6 of 6