April 27, 2016 at 2:26 p.m.
Rhinelander man facing 4 felony counts for delivery of THC
Rhinelander man facing 4 felony counts for delivery of THC
According to court records, a vehicle operated by Kristopher J. Vick, 22, of Rhinelander, in which Zane R.R. Olsen, 18, was a passenger, was stopped by an officer patrolling Almon County Park at about 10:26 p.m. March 26.
A sheriff's deputy observed the vehicle moving through parking lot after the park's posted closing time with its lights off.
A subsequent consensual search of the vehicle yielded marijuana, "honey oil," (concentrated THC extract) and paraphernalia for smoking the drugs, according to court records.
The two were taken to the Oneida County Jail.
According to the police report attached to the criminal complaint, corrections officers found a digital scale and a bag of marijuana buds in Olsen's underwear when he was booked into the jail. The report also said Olsen had $539 in cash on him and could not explain how he came to be in possession of it.
He was charged with possession of THC and drug paraphernalia, both misdemeanors, while Vick was charged with possession of THC, second offense, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Olsen was eventually released on a $1,000 signature bond and given an April 18 return date.
Before that appearance could take place, Olsen was stopped again by members of the Northcentral Drug Enforcement Group (NORDEG) April 20 and a search of his vehicle turned up drug paraphernalia.
On April 21, Olsen appeared in court to answer to four counts of manufacture or delivery of THC under 200 grams (one count carrying an enhancer for having the drug in a public park), along with misdemeanor possession of THC, possession of drug paraphernalia and bail jumping. District attorney Michael Schiek told circuit judge Michael Bloom that while the reports attached to the criminal complaint don't go into a lot of detail, Olsen has been under investigation by NORDEG for some time. He alleged that Olsen had been selling marijuana in the Rhinelander area. Bloom set a $5,000 cash bond and gave Olsen a new return date of April 25 on both cases.
On Monday, Olsen again appeared by video from the jail, with attorney Mary Burns filling in for Chad Lynch. Assistant district attorney Mary Sowinski appeared for the state. Burns waived reading of the criminal complaint and said Lynch had already obtained a May 5 docket date for a preliminary hearing on the felony charges.
Burns then argued for a reduction of Olsen's bond.
"Mr. Olsen has not missed court and he is in high school and he's hoping to go to college next year," Burns said. "I would ask that he be given a signature bond so that he might go back to high school."
Burns added that Olsen's parents were in court and willing to co-sign his signature bond.
Sowinski had no objection to the bond reduction, but did request that there be some conditions. Bloom set a $10,000 signature bond with conditions that Olsen must reside with his parents, be inside their house between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., attend school every day and have no contact of any kind with any of his codefendants.
"You must be aware that you are on what is sometimes referred to as a very short leash," Bloom told Olsen. "Take advantage of the opportunity to go to school and not have to spend time in jail while the case is pending. Do not squander the opportunity by violating the conditions of bond."
Bloom reiterated to Olsen that no communication with codefendants includes electronic means such as texting or Facebook.
"I hope you appreciate where you have gotten yourself by dealing with such people by way of the conduct that has been alleged against you," Bloom said.
Each of the felonies carries a maximum sentence of three years, six months in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. In addition to also possibly losing his driver' license for up to five years, the possessing THC in a park enhancer could also result in 100 hours of community service.
Jamie Taylor may be reached at [email protected].
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