Investigation began months ago

By Ramelle Bintz
rbintz@doorcountyadvocate.com

The Door/Kewaunee Drug Task Force arrested 16 people at their homes and workplaces in Door and Kewaunee counties as part of an ongoing drug investigation. The roundup was a result of months of investigative work that came from tips from people reporting suspicious activity.

"This is really good news," said Door County District Attorney Ray Pelrine. "We have known about this for some time. We didn't suddenly find out about a new scourge."

All 11 people arrested in Door County had lived in the community for at least one year. Door County Sheriff Terry Vogel characterized them as low-level criminals. More than 100 drug-related arrests have been made so far in Door County this year, aside from this most recent bust.

"It's been a very active year for us," Vogel said, "but it does keep our community safe. These officers are getting them off the streets."

The following people face criminal drug charges in Door County Circuit Court: Kevin Church, 33, Sturgeon Bay; Josh Gerdmann, 17, Sturgeon Bay; Jasmine Kadunc, 17, Sturgeon Bay; Angela Kostoff, 42, Sturgeon Bay; Danny Y. McCrary-Reed, 21, Sturgeon Bay; Tony A. Montgomery, 38, Sturgeon Bay; Elijah O. Phillips, 19, Casco; Bonnie D. Ploger, 25, Sturgeon Bay; Kali L. Short, 23, Sturgeon Bay; David M. Skrenes, Jr., 24, Sturgeon Bay; and David Watkins, 19, Sturgeon Bay.

The five arrested and charged in Kewaunee County Court are Jacob R. Joly, 22, Algoma; Travis E. Loucks, 17, Algoma; Jessica L. Pagel, 22, Algoma; Alan K. Shaw, 39, Algoma; and Jason D. Umberham, 23, Algoma.

Many of those arrested were recorded on hidden camera in their homes where children were present. Those cases were referred to Social Services for follow up.

Kewaunee County Sheriff Matt Joski said subsequent warrants were issued and another search early Wednesday likely will net more arrests.

After last year's substantial busts in that county, Joski said the task force noticed the culture had changed and there was a lull in the movement of drugs. The goal, he said, is to prevent drug dealing from gaining a foothold in Door and Kewaunee counties.

"This is a result of our municipalities, police forces and counties all working together," he said. "Criminals who intend to deal don't recognize city limits. We can't control people moving in and out of our community. But we can stop that pipeline and respond to their poor decisions."

While those arrested are local residents, Pelrine said, their conduct is influenced by contacts in Milwaukee and Chicago.

The suspects range in age from 17 to 42. They are accused of various felony drug-trafficking crimes, including delivery of marijuana and ecstasy, maintaining a drug-trafficking place and selling a firearm. One weapons charge involved the sale of a .22-caliber handgun. Several included possession with intent to deliver near a park. The drugs included ecstasy, methadone and several prescription drugs, such as hydrocodone or Vicodin, as well as non-narcotics.

"These statistics are not greater than other years, but the growing problem we're seeing is in prescription drugs," Vogel said. "Our agents could buy pretty much anything they wanted."

The roundup started last week using both sworn officers and undercover police. The cases were not tied together, he said, but police believed they gathered enough evidence to substantiate effective prosecution. Formal charges and preliminary hearings for all defendants started this week. Several have multiple felony charges in more than one county, including Brown, Door and Kewaunee counties.