June 3, 2015 at 4:10 p.m.
Milwaukee siblings charged with bringing cocaine to Northwoods
Milwaukee siblings charged with bringing cocaine to Northwoods
Tommy L. Love Jr., 26, and Desmond L. Love, 19, were arrested after over a month of investigation and surveillance by members of the Northcentral Drug Enforcement Group (NORDEG). The surveillance began after an informant tipped law enforcement off to the two allegedly distributing cocaine to several people in Oneida and Vilas counties.
According to a police report attached to the criminal complaint, the informant first told a NORDEG investigator about the two on April 10, saying they were transporting both heroin and crack cocaine to the area. The informant also identified at least one person in Oneida County who was allegedly helping them distribute the drugs.
After further investigation, police were able to identify the apartment where the two have been residing. On May 27, a NORDEG investigator received a tip from a different informant that the person who rented the apartment was on his way to pick up the Love brothers and bring them back to Rhinelander. At about 10:15 p.m. that evening, surveillance of the men began in earnest, according to the report.
On May 28, the Rhinelander man was seen driving one of the Loves in the area of Cross County Road and State Highway 17 where another vehicle left. That other vehicle was later found in Eagle River where a Vilas County officer allegedly witnessed a drug transaction take place.
Later on May 28, an informant allegedly made a controlled buy of .5 grams of crack cocaine for $100 in marked bills from the man who rents the apartment in Rhinelander the Loves were allegedly using as their base of operations. When the informant brought the suspected drugs back to the NORDEG investigators, it tested positive for cocaine.
On May 29, investigators learned that the Loves would be leaving the apartment building by the rear exit after they were told by the manager of the complex that they needed to leave. They were observed getting into a car driven by the resident of the apartment. The vehicle was stopped by NORDEG investigators with assistance from a Wisconsin State Patrol officer and his K-9 partner.
According to the report, the K-9 allegedly indicated that drugs were in the vehicle, and a trace amount of marijuana was allegedly recovered. Also recovered was a .22 caliber tactical rifle wrapped in cloth from the trunk of the vehicle. According to the report, Tommy Love had $700 in one of his pockets, $80 of which were bills from the controlled buy that had been observed the day before.
Shortly afterward, NORDEG members conducted a search of the apartment the three had just vacated. More than 14 grams of what tested to be cocaine was found, according to the complaint. A digital scale, an empty box of ammunition for the rifle recovered along with drug paraphernalia were also recovered.
The report alleges that the man who rented the apartment told investigators he had driven Tommy Love to at least 12 drug transactions, including the one on Cross Country Road and Highway 17. He also said the person they met there was supposed to take drugs up to Eagle River for delivery to another person.
On Monday, both Love brothers were charged with conspiracy to commit manufacture or delivery of cocaine less than 1 gram, possession with intent to deliver cocaine 1-5 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia. Because he has two prior drug convictions, Tommy Love has a drug repeater enhancer attached to his two delivery charges, which adds up to a potential additional four years in prison on each of the two felonies.
In court, Oneida County Assistant District Attorney Steve Michlig said Desmond Love told investigators that his brother was the "primary actor" in the scheme.
Branch II Judge Michael Bloom ordered a $2,500 cash bond for Desmond and $10,000 cash bound for Tommy Love.
Anyone who brings drugs into Oneida County from elsewhere in the state should expect to have a significant cash bond, he said.
If convicted, the two brothers face up to 22 1/2 years in prison.
Bloom gave the pair until June 8 arrange for attorneys.
Jamie Taylor may be reached at [email protected].
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