Two Men Face Drug and Firearm Charges in Separate Investigations
A Wisconsin man faces over a dozen felony charges for allegedly growing marijuana and possessing firearms near a Girl Scout camp, while a Massachusetts man was arrested on drug and firearm charges. The Wisconsin suspect could face over 160 years in prison if convicted on all counts.
Two men face multiple felony charges in separate drug and firearm investigations in Wisconsin and Massachusetts. A West Bend, Wisconsin man is accused of growing marijuana and possessing firearms near a Girl Scout camp, while a Ware, Massachusetts man faces charges including possession of crack cocaine and a firearm without proper licensing.
A 48-year-old man from West Bend faces over a dozen felony charges after police found drugs and guns at his home near a Girl Scout camp. According to the criminal complaint, investigators searched the man's home on March 15 after receiving a call related to a "domestic-related charge." Officers found thirteen firearms within the residence while the man is a convicted felon and unable to possess said firearms. They also discovered multiple jars containing a green leafy vegetable substance believed to be marijuana, with several spaces in the home converted to allow for growing marijuana.
The search revealed new, unused black commercial packaging bags for the marijuana, two jars of mushrooms that investigators believed to be Psilocybin mushrooms, and multiple packages of marijuana seeds to start growing more plants. The overall weight of the raw marijuana located is 687.74 grams, the psilocybin mushroom is 39.10 grams, and there were 9 marijuana plants. Officers noted that the drugs and firearms were all within reach of two children that lived in the home, ages 8 and 16.
Court documents show that the man was conducting his growing operation near the Camp Silverbrook Girl Scout Campgrounds, operating within 1,000 feet of a youth center. He was arrested on March 17 on 13 felony counts of possessing a firearm by an out-of-state convicted felon, possessing a firearm silencer, three felony counts of possession with intent to deliver or distribute a controlled substance on or near a youth center, and one misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia.
Court records show the man has 4 previous OWI-related offenses in Wisconsin, including a conviction from 2010, as well as a conviction for DUI Alcohol/Drugs from Illinois. He is currently out on $75,000 cash bond, with his next hearing set for May 6. If convicted on all charges, he could face over 160 years in prison. The Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast confirmed that the man's wife is an employee and is currently on administrative leave during the criminal investigation.
In a separate case, a 46-year-old Ware, Massachusetts man was arrested on Thursday and charged with possession of crack cocaine, possession of a firearm without an FID card, and witness intimidation. He also faces two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon. He was held on a $5,000 bail and transported to Belchertown for arraignment in Eastern Hampshire District Court.