Drug investigation results in four local arrests

HAYWARD — After a four-month investigation into drug activity throughout Sawyer, Washburn and Barron counties, four persons have been arrested, according to the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Police Department.

Three individuals from Spooner were charged, and a Stone Lake area resident was arrested in Barron County after a traffic stop.

Shane Miller, 46, Brandon Bartle, 31, and Kristin Root, 39, all from Spooner, have been arrested as a result of the LCO Police investigation in collaboration with the Washburn County Sheriff’s Department and the state Department of Justice-Division of Criminal Investigation.

The investigation culminated with the execution of a search warrant in Washburn County and Sawyer County on April 25. During the search, numerous items consistent with drug trafficking were recovered along with illegal narcotics.

The Barron County Sheriff’s Department conducted a traffic stop April 25 resulting in the arrest of Tomi Jo Quagon, 42, of 7135 Taylor Road, Stone Lake, and the recovery of 449 grams of liquid testing positive for meth and 23 grams of meth.

At 12:38 p.m. the Barron County Drug Unit received a tip of a vehicle with drugs being transported. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver, Quagon, was arrested on a probation warrant.

A search of the vehicle was conducted and it was discovered that the driver attempted to dispose of meth into a liquid substance.

The total street value of the recovered grams of meth was about $2,300.

Quagon is being held in the Barron County Jail on a probation hold. She is charged with possession of 10 to 50 grams of methamphetamine and possession of cocaine (second or subsequent offenses). She had her initial court appearance May 1 and a preliminary hearing is set for May 20.

Shane Miller is charged in Washburn County Court with party to possession of 10 to 50 grams of meth, delivery of 10 to 50 grams of meth, two counts of delivery of 3 to 10 grams of meth, and delivery of three grams or less of meth.

Brandon Bartle and Kristin Root each are charged with party to possessing 10 to 50 grams of meth with intent to deliver, maintaining a drug trafficking place, and possessing drug paraphernalia (all repeat offenses).

Bartle also is charged with delivery of 3 to 10 grams of meth (repeat offense),

The LCO Police Department gives special thanks to the Wisconsin Department of Justice-Division of Criminal Investigation, Washburn County Sheriff’s Department, Wisconsin State Patrol, Sawyer County Sheriff’s Department, Spooner Police Department, Barron County Sheriff’s Department, Rice Lake Police Department, Chippewa County Sheriff’s Department, Goodhue County (Minnesota) Sheriff’s Department, St. Paul Police Department, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency for their assistance in this case.