Charges filed in Wescott drug bust

Methamphetamine, marijuana plants seized in search warrant
By: 
Tim Ryan
Reporter

Two people are facing numerous felony drug charges, including intent to deliver meth and maintaining a drug trafficking place, after authorities executed a search warrant last week in the town of Wescott.

Charges were filed Monday against Amber R. Schultz, 34, and Jeffrey P. Zeise, 37, both of rural Shawano.

According to the criminal complaint, authorities began an investigation in July that included controlled drug buys with a confidential informant who purchased methamphetamine from Zeise on three separate occasions.

Authorities executed a search warrant on his and Schultz’s residence on Pioneer Drive in Wescott on Aug. 6 and seized 27.51 grams of methamphetamine, 25 marijuana plants and 216.55 grams of marijuana products, according to the complaint.

The complaint also states that in a closet in Zeise’s and Schultz’s bedroom, authorities located an indoor marijuana grow set-up that included lights, a grow tent and marijuana plants.

A third person who was on scene at the time the search warrant was executed — Ronald J. Asp, 60, of Suring — was also arrested on a charge of possession of methamphetamine.

Zeise is charged with three felony counts of delivery of methamphetamine, four felony counts of maintaining a drug trafficking place, and felony counts of manufacture and delivery of marijuana, possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine and possession with intent to deliver marijuana.

At a court hearing Monday, Judge James Habeck set a cash bond for Zeise of $500.

Zeise is due back in court for an adjourned initial appearance Aug. 26.

Schultz was charged with felony counts of possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, possession with intent to deliver marijuana, manufacture and delivery of marijuana and four felony counts of maintaining a drug trafficking place.

Habeck set a cash bond of $500 for Schultz as well, She is due back in court for a preliminary hearing on Aug. 29.

Both Zeise and Schultz could face a maximum 25 years in prison and a $100,000 fine if convicted of possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine. Maximum sentences on the other felony charges range from 3½ years to 15 years imprisonment.

Agencies involved in the investigation included the investigation and the execution of the search warrant included the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department, Shawano Police Department, Oconto County Sheriff’s Office, Wisconsin State Patrol, and the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation.