FAST-FOOD WORKER CHARGED WITH DISTRIBUTING DRUGS

Manager 'Living Beyond His Means' Raised Suspicions Of Restaurant Owner

A Burger King restaurant owner said Thursday he was just being a good
citizen by helping Muskego police resolve a whopper-sized mystery - how
could a manager be living so well on his hourly fast-food salary?

Electronic surveillance provided the answer: He was helping make marijuana
drug deals while on duty, according to a complaint filed in Waukesha County
Circuit Court.

With the cooperation of business owner Mike Durso, police developed a case
that led to drug charges against the man, Jacob J. Schon, 21, and 13
friends suspected of using a restaurant office to buy and sell dope during
Schon's shifts.

"I did everything we could do to put away bad people," said Durso, 44, who
has worked in the restaurant business since age 15. "I wasn't after praise.
I was after taking drugs off the street."

Muskego police Capt. John Daley praised Durso. "He was very concerned about
his employees and what their activities may have entailed when he wasn't
present," Daley said. "Because of his cooperation, we were able to conclude
that drug activity took place."

Schon, of Oak Creek, was charged in Waukesha County Circuit Court with
three counts of distributing marijuana, which involved sales to 10 men on
Jan. 22, Feb. 5 and Feb. 14 - all caught on tape set up by the restaurant
and Muskego police working with the Waukesha County Metro Drug Enforcement
Unit.

Waukesha County Assistant District Attorney William Roach filed charges of
attempted possession of marijuana against several people alleged to have
bought marijuana at the restaurant.

They were: Brian T. Kroenke, 23, of Greenfield, and Anthony D. Biondich,
18; Christopher L. Fliss, 18; Jeremy M. Affolter, 19; Bradley R. Kulas, 19;
Jason J. Waedekin, 18; Jeremiah D. Cureton, 18; Craig R. Simon, 19; Derek
L. Kling, 19; and John S. Kim, 18, all of Muskego.

Simon and Kling were also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia,
while Kim was also charged with obstructing an officer. Kim, who was
working during the investigation to help police catch Schon, told a friend
he was aiding officers, officials said. That friend tipped off Schon, who
later told police that when he learned of their investigation, he discarded
marijuana and drug paraphernalia, authorities said.

Roach said Kim's actions impeded the investigation.

Another defendant, Duane G. Kling, 21, of Muskego, was charged with
possession of drug paraphernalia and delivery of marijuana. He told police
he sold marijuana at the restaurant to three of the defendants involved
after receiving the drug from Schon.

Durso said he asked for help from police when another manager questioned
Schon's spending habits, wondering how he could afford a nice car and
apartment on his restaurant salary. Durso said although he wasn't sure
whether anything was amiss, he was concerned whether Schon might be
stealing from the business.

"We knew this young man was living beyond his means," Durso said.

Once confronted with video evidence, Schon allegedly admitted to police
that he had been selling marijuana to patrons and friends for six to seven
months, doing as many as eight deals on a busy night.