NEARLY 100 SERVE TIME IN WOOD CO. BUST

WISCONSIN RAPIDS -- The majority of people arrested in connection
with what was called Wood County's largest drug bust served time in
jail, according to an analysis of the almost 150 cases involved.

With all but one of the cases concluded from the bust that happened
more than 18 months ago, the numbers tell part of the story. Of a
list of 141 defendants related to the drug investigation, seven
received prison sentences and 90 received jail time. Two defendants
had their charges dismissed at their preliminary hearing and one was
found not guilty by a jury.

It was disturbing to learn how prevalent drug availability was in the
Wisconsin Rapids area, Wood County District Attorney Todd Wolf said.
Anyone could have a marijuana connection in a matter of minutes by
simply walking up to someone they knew used, and asking for the information.

All of the defendants originally faced felony charges. Through plea
bargains, 69 had their charges reduced to misdemeanors, 25 of which
received deferred sentences where the defendant entered a guilty plea
to a charge, but the judge did not find them guilty. If the defendant
completes a specified set of requirements, such as attending a
treatment program, the charge is dismissed.

"Our goal in this was to certainly make the community aware of what
was going on and the fact that we weren't going to ignore the fact
that drugs are being sold," Wood County Sheriff Thomas Reichert said.

When the undercover operation began, there was no end to the
availability of drugs to purchase, said Wood County Circuit Court
Judge Edward Zappen Jr. For the most part, it wasn't a group of big
time dealers, just a lot of kids wrapped up in the drug culture.