Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By RICHARD JENKINS
Bessemer — Six defendants are facing charges in connection with a weekend Ironwood methamphetamine bust.
Jeffrey Elton Schmiege, 47, of Ironwood, is charged with five felonies and a high court misdemeanor — delivery or manufacture of meth, conspiracy to deliver or manufacture meth, possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of ammunition by a felon, felony firearm and maintaining a drug house.
Jeffrey Thomas Gorecki, 45, of Ironwood, is charged with delivery or manufacture of meth and conspiracy to deliver or manufacture meth.
David Wayne Opsahl, 44, of Big Lake, Minn., is charged with the delivery or manufacture of meth and conspiracy to deliver or manufacture meth.
Jakob Wayne Applekamp, 28, of Wakefield, is charged with the delivery or manufacture of meth and conspiracy to deliver or manufacture meth.
Ryan Frank Reinhard, 29, of Ironwood, is charged with the delivery or manufacture of meth and conspiracy to deliver or manufacture meth.
Jenifer Lynn Powell, 34, of Ironwood, is charged with delivery or manufacture of meth, possession of meth and conspiracy to deliver or manufacture meth.
All six are being held in the Gogebic County jail.
The charges stem from a search of a Tamarack Street, Ironwood, home Saturday, according to Gogebic County Prosecutor Nick Jacobs. Jacobs authorized the charges against the six defendants Monday.
The search resulted in the discovery of “large quantities of crystal meth, prescription medication, marijuana, a firearm and ammunition,” according to a Gogebic Iron Area Narcotics Team press release.
The search was the culmination of a three-month investigation, the release said; which extended into Ontonagon and Marquette counties, as well as Iron County, Wis.
Jacobs praised the various agencies involved in the search.
“I would like to thank GIANT, (the Gogebic County Sheriff’s Department), (the Iron County Sheriff’s Department), (the Ironwood Public Safety Department) and (the Department of Human Services) for their concerted efforts in investigating, cooperating and conducting the search … that led to the arrests of these six individuals as well as Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Tracie Wittla, who reviewed and approved the search warrant that was executed at the Tamarack St. address in the city of Ironwood,” Jacobs said. “As our office receives follow-up reports in the ensuing days stemming from this investigation there may be additional charges against the current individuals in custody and/or charges against other suspects.”
