DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office
Western District of Wisconsin

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, January 8, 2014
John W. Vaudreuil
, United States Attorney
Contact: AUSA Assigned to Case

Grand Jury Returns Indictments

GRAND JURY RETURNS INDICTMENTS

MADISON, WIS. -- A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin, sitting in Madison, returned the following indictments today. You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

PORT WASHINGTON MAN CHARGED WITH POSSESSING SYNTHETIC DRUG WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE

Joseph Manthei, 23, Port Washington, Wis., is charged with possessing the synthetic cathinone, 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylcathinone (methylone), with intent to distribute. The indictment alleges that he possessed the methylone on January 23, 2013. If convicted, Manthei faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Stevens Point Police Department. The prosecution of this case will be handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman.

LAC DU FLAMBEAU WOMAN CHARGED WITH DISTRIBUTING OXYCODONE

Lois Vetterneck, 53, Lac du Flambeau, Wis., is charged with distributing oxycodone. The indictment alleges that she distributed the drug on April 10, 2013. If convicted, Vetterneck faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. The charge against her is the result of an investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation; Lac du Flambeau Police Department; and the Vilas and Oneida County Sheriffs’ Departments. The prosecution of this case will be handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow.

MADISON MAN FACES ADDITIONAL CHARGES

David T. Taylor, 25, Madison, Wis., is charged in a superseding indictment with gun and drug crimes. The superseding indictment charges him with being a felon in United States Attorney John W. Vaudreuil Western District of Wisconsin possession of two firearms, and with possessing firearms after previously having been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. The superseding indictment alleges that on November 19, 2013, Taylor possessed a .40 caliber Glock pistol with an obliterated serial number and a .45 caliber Colt pistol. The superseding indictment also charges Taylor with possessing heroin with intent to distribute, and with possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The indictment alleges that he possessed the heroin and firearms on November 19, 2013. Taylor was originally charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and with possessing a firearm after previously having been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, in an indictment returned by the grand jury on December 4, 2013. Taylor was arraigned on these charges on December 12, 2013, and his trial has been set for April 14, 2014, before U.S. District Judge Barbara B. Crabb. If convicted, Taylor faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison on the two possession of firearms counts, 20 years on the heroin charge, and a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum of life on the count charging possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the Madison Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution of this case will be handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow.

BOSCOBEL MAN CHARGED WITH DISTRIBUTING MORPHINE

Craig D. Bellis, 33, Boscobel, Wis., is charged with distributing morphine. The indictment alleges that he distributed the drug on April 11, 2013. If convicted, Bellis faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Richland-Iowa-Grant Drug Task Force; Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation; and Boscobel Police Department. The prosecution of this case will be handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter M. Jarosz.

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St. Paul Field Division