THREE LOCAL MEN FACE DRUG CHARGES

Three La Crosse men, including the mayor's stepson, face drug-related
charges after an investigation into marijuana trafficking, police said.

The investigation included a search of the mayor's home, where marijuana
was found in a teen's bedroom.

The three men - Justin Chrudimsky, 22; Joseph Danalis, 21; and Justin
Baumgartner, 25, Mayor John Medinger's stepson - are roommates at 1603
Market St.

Chrudimsky and Danalis were arrested Wednesday after police, executing a
search warrant at the Market Street house, found a small amount of
marijuana, several bongs, numerous plastic bags, each containing some
amounts of marijuana residue, and two postal hand scales.

Baumgartner was arrested Thursday on the 900 block of Cass Street after
police responded to a report of a prowler. According to the criminal
complaint, police found Baumgartner passed out on the ground, apparently
intoxicated.

When police questioned Baumgartner at the scene about where he lived, he
said, "Right here, 1603 Market," according to the complaint.

After Baumgartner was arrested for disorderly conduct, a small bag of
marijuana was found in his right front pocket. In the squad car, the
officer said Baumgartner asked him if he knew who his father was. "I'll
have all your jobs. My dad's the mayor," Baumgartner told the officer,
according to the complaint.

Reached Friday evening, Medinger said: "This is a very difficult time for
my wife and I. We are saddened and distressed by the situation, but
everybody is doing what they have to do. I do not know what else to say. It
has been a bad couple days for my wife and I."

Medinger declined to make any other statements.

In the criminal complaint, Investigator Marion Byerson said he had met with
a confidential informant who said drug trafficking was occurring at 1603
Market St. Byerson did three searches of the garbage from the residence -
on Oct. 16 and 23 and Nov. 6 - each time finding remnants of marijuana.

After the search of the house on Market Street, Chrudimsky told police that
he is the one who supplies his friends with marijuana, the complaint said.
He said he gets about one-eighth ounce of marijuana per week.

Danalis also told police that Chrudimsky was the main dealer in the house
but said Chrudimsky would get about one-quarter pound of marijuana per week.

On Thursday, police searched Medinger's home at 1809 S. 16th St., finding a
small amount of marijuana in a bedroom belonging to a 16-year-old boy.

Danalis told police that a 16-year-old La Crosse boy had bought marijuana
10 to 15 times since June or July, buying a half-ounce or less at a time.
The 16-year-old later was arrested and referred to juvenile authorities on
a charge of conspiracy with the intent to deliver marijuana. He told police
he sold the marijuana to his friends and gave police the names of five of
the juveniles who bought from him.

Danalis faces charges of possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Chrudimsky and Baumgartner both face the following charges:

Being party to the crime of warehousing a controlled substance, a felony,
which carries a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment and a $25,000 fine.

Conspiracy to deliver marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school or park, a
felony, which carries a maximum penalty of 9.5 years in prison and a
$25,000 fine.

Being party to the crime of delivery of marijuana to a minor while within
1,000 feet of a school or park, a felony, which carries a maximum penalty
of 19 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.

Possession of marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school or park and
possession of drug paraphernalia, both misdemeanors.

Baumgartner also faces a separate disorderly conduct charge and marijuana
possession charge, both stemming from his arrest on Cass Street.

Chrudimsky and Baumgartner both made initial appearances in La Crosse
County Circuit Court on Friday and are scheduled for their next court
appearances Friday, Nov. 16.