Felony heroin, meth charges filed against seven
A year-long heroin and methamphetamine investigation led to the arrest of 12 people.
Waupaca County Sheriff Brad Hardel said undercover officers and confidential informants made controlled drug purchases as part of the investigation.
Charges were filed against the following suspects on Wednesday:
• David R. Rodriguez, 53, Waupaca – four counts of delivery of heroin, four counts of felon in possession of a firearm, possession with intent to deliver heroin, drug trafficking and felony child neglect. He is currently in custody on a $25,000 cash bond.
• Joseph A. Ruelle, 49, Waupaca – three counts of delivery of heroin, possession with intent to deliver heroin, and misdemeanor child neglect. He is currently in custody on a $25,000 cash bond.
• Zachary Bentancur, 28, Waupaca – two counts of delivery of methamphetamine, three counts of felony bail jumping, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is currently in custody on a $10,000 cash bond.
• Brittni B. Thebo, 26, Marion – possession with intent to deliver heroin, possession of narcotics, and possession of drug paraphernalia. She is currently in custody on a $5,000 cash bond.
• Margarita C. Mendez, 50, Waupaca – possession with intent to deliver heroin, drug trafficking, possession of narcotics, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and felony child neglect. She is in custody on a $5,000 cash bond.
• Michael E. Ball, 38, Waupaca, – possession with intent to deliver heroin, possession with intent to deliver synthetic cannabinoids, maintain a drug trafficking place, misdemeanor child neglect. He is in custody on a $10,000 cash bond.
• Chastity C. Rodriguez, 26, Waupaca, possession with intent to deliver heroin, possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, maintain a drug trafficking place, misdemeanor child neglect. She is in custody on a $10,000 cash bail.
Five other suspects have been referred to the Waupaca County district attorney’s office for pending charges.
They include Krystal A. Edming, 33, Waupaca; Mathew J. Mallow, 41, Waupaca; Mary E. Pennington, 46, Waupaca; Ryley P. Hofferber, 19, Weyauwega; and Kathleen Y. Goskowicz, 32, Waupaca.
The Waupaca county Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Waupaca Police Department and members of the Central Wisconsin Drug Task Force and Wisconsin State Patrol.
The Waupaca County Post will report further on this ongoing investigation as more details become available.