November 14, 2022 at 10:55 a.m.
Four Rhinelander residents charged in meth conspiracy case
Search for Tomahawk man continues
Four Rhinelander residents charged in meth conspiracy case
Jacob Simon, 41, Kimberly Baenen, 36, David Lassiter, 39, and Ryan Culver, 37, all of Rhinelander, are charged with conspiracy to commit manufacture/deliver more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, a Class C felony carrying a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.
Also charged is Benjamin Somers, 35, of Tomahawk. According to Oneida County sheriff's captain Terri Hook, the Northcentral Drug Enforcement Group (NORDEG) is looking for Somers. Anyone with information about his location should contact the sheriff's office at 715-361-5100.
The arrests are the result of a six-month investigation conducted by the sheriff's office, NORDEG, the Rhinelander Police Department and the Wisconsin Department of Justice-Division of Criminal Investigations, according to a sheriff's office press release.
"The investigation involves a drug conspiracy that has occurred over this time period involving methamphetamine delivery in the Northwoods area," the release states. "These subjects are believed to have distributed approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine. Our records indicate that approximately $25,000 was sent to Mexico to the Mexican cartel for the purchase of methamphetamine. A stolen firearm was also recovered during this investigation. Quantities of methamphetamine seized during the course of this investigation have also tested positive for fentanyl."
Simon, Baenen, Lassiter and Culver made their initial appearances in Oneida County Circuit Court Thursday afternoon via Zoom from the county jail.
In making bond arguments, Oneida County district attorney Mike Schiek noted the state has evidence the four were involved in a large-scale operation that resulted in substantial amounts of methamphetamine being circulated in the county.
"Conservatively, I think we have maybe 10 pounds of methamphetamine coming from Minnesota and Wausau up to Oneida County, which is a significant amount," Schiek said. "It's more than I've seen as part of an investigation in my time here."
Schiek noted that the state believes the four defendants have "different levels of culpability" with respect to the alleged drug delivery operation. He described Simon as the most culpable, followed by Baenen, Lassiter and Culver.
He asked for high cash bonds for all of the defendants, with the amounts varying from $60,000 and $50,000 for Simon and Baenen to $25,000 for Lassiter and $10,000 for Culver. Judge Mike Bloom granted the state's requests in all four cases.
Lassiter made no statement as to bond but both Baenen and Culver requested lower amounts than what was recommended by the state.
Baenen stated she is employed and is trying to "get back on the right track." Culver also expressed a desire to improve his life.
"There's not much I can do to better myself when I'm in here," he noted.
Simon's comments related to bond were limited as he expressed a desire to speak with public defender Breanna Magallones.
Magallones was in court during Simon's hearing but she indicated she does not believe she will be able to represent him in the new case, due to "conflicts." Simon appeared confused by the attorney's statements and made several attempts to get clarification.
Finally, Magallones stated she would explain the situation to Simon at the jail later in the day.
In setting the bond amounts, Bloom noted that he has some understanding of the investigation as he was involved in issuing search warrants requested by law enforcement.
"Mr. Schiek's description of the scenario here, and the significance of it in terms of methamphetamine being brought from out of state into Oneida County and distributed in the community over time, is accurate," he said.
"Involvement in such a large scale operation, in essence serving as a conduit for methamphetamine into the community, is a gravely problematic situation for anyone involved," he added.
Baenen, Culver and Lassiter were all scheduled for adjourned initial appearances on Monday afternoon, Nov. 14. Simon is scheduled to be back in court on Nov. 16.
Heather Schaefer may be reached at [email protected].
Comments:
You must login to comment.