January 19, 2015 at 4:33 p.m.
Meth suspects appear in court
Meth suspects appear in court
Andrea D. Healy, 47, of Rhinelander, Richard C. Nitschke, 48, of Rhinelander, Andi L. Hansen, 26, of Lac du Flambeau, Ronald A. Ross Jr., 24, of Minocqua and Jute T. Handrick, 28, of Woodruff were arrested as a result of an investigation by the Northcentral Drug Enforcement Group (NORDEG) Task Force.
After receiving information from an informant, members of NORDEG and other agencies executed a search warrant Wednesday at a residence on Margaret Street in the city of Rhinelander. Later that same day, a second search warrant was used to search a storage building in Minocqua. Materials and component chemicals used to make methamphetamine, along with the processed drug itself, were found in both locations, according to court documents released Friday.
According to the criminal complaints filed against the five suspects, the state is alleging the group had been involved in making methamphetamine in plastic soda bottles, using a simple method known by the street name "Shake and Bake," since August of 2014.
Assistant District Attorney Jodi Bednar-Clemens described Healy and Nitschke as the two "primary actors" in the operation.
Bednar-Clemens, in arguing for a high cash bond, called Healy a "menace to the community." The prosecutor said Healy is one of two people in the group who was actively making methamphetamine at both locations. The complaint states Healy was manufacturing the drug on almost a daily basis including while her minor children were present.
"Of all the co-defendants, she is the most culpable of them," Bednar-Clemens said.
Bloom set a $5,000 cash bond in Healy's case.
She was charged Friday with manufacturing of methamphetamine (as a party to a crime), delivery of methamphetamine (as a party to a crime), possession of materials for manufacturing methamphetamine (as a party to a crime), maintaining a drug trafficking place (as a party to a crime), knowingly solicit, direct or use another person to purchase pseudoephedrine and disposal of waste from manufacture of methamphetamine - first offense (as a party to a crime), all of which are felonies. She is also expected to have a felony bail jumping charge added at a later date.
Bednar-Clemens said Nitschke, who owns the storage building in Minocqua that was raided Wednesday afternoon and lives with Healy at the Rhinelander residence that was raided, was also actively making the drug in both locations on an almost daily basis.
Nitschke is charged with manufacturing of methamphetamine (as a party to a crime), delivery of methamphetamine (as a party to a crime), possession of materials for manufacturing methamphetamine (as a party to a crime), maintaining a drug trafficking place (as a party to a crime), knowingly solicit, direct or use another person to purchase pseudoephedrine and disposal of waste from manufacture of methamphetamine - first offense (as a party to a crime), all felonies, along with misdemeanor bail jumping.
Bloom set a $5,000 cash bond for Nitschke, but said he would consider a property bond if the necessary paperwork is completed.
Hansen is charged with purchase of pseudoephedrine for another with intent to manufacture methamphetamine, manufacturing methamphetamine (as a party to a crime) - both felonies - along with a misdemeanor charge of child neglect.
Bednar-Clemens told Bloom that Hansen and her two young children were basically homeless and had been living with Healy and Nitschke at the Margaret Street home that was raided. She said the investigation has revealed that her children were also present when drugs were made and used.
"The allegations in the complaint paint a really lousy picture (of the environment your children are in)," Bloom said as he ordered Hansen held on a $500 cash bond.
Ross, who has two other cases pending before Bloom, is charged with purchase of pseudoephedrine for another with intent to manufacture methamphetamine, as well as felony and misdemeanor bail jumping charges, as a result of the raid. Bednar-Clemens asked Bloom to set a cash bond for Ross, due to the seriousness of the operation.
Bloom said he was familiar with Ross from other dealings he has had with him as both a judge and as district attorney. He said Ross always shows up for his court appearances and is well spoken and respectful in court.
"You do fine in the courtroom, but it's out there (gesturing toward the window of the courtroom) that you need to worry about," Bloom said. "Methamphetamine is bad news."
Bloom set Ross's bond at $1,000 cash.
Only Handrick, who faces a single count of purchase of pseudoephedrine for another with intent to manufacture methamphetamine, was released on a signature bond.
Bednar-Clemens said Handrick was a minor player in the operation, has no criminal record and is cooperating with investigators.
Bloom set a $2,000 signature bond for Handrick.
With the exception of Healy and Nitschke, none of the codefendants are allowed to have contact with each other.
With the exception of Ross, who has a Jan. 20 court date before Bloom, all of the defendants will be making adjourned initial appearances before Bloom on Feb. 9.
In addition to NORDEG Task Force members, participating agencies in this investigation include the Oneida County Sheriff's Office, the Rhinelander Police Department, the Wisconsin Department of Justice, the Vilas County Sheriff's Office and the Oneida County District Attorney's Office.
The sheriff's office has characterized the investigation as "ongoing."
Jamie Taylor may be reached at [email protected].
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