Charges filed in town of Richmond drug bust

Rural Shawano man faces numerous felony counts
By: 
Tim Ryan
Reporter

A rural Shawano man identified in a criminal complaint as a large-scale supplier of illegal drugs in the Shawano County area was charged Monday with multiple felony drug counts.

Lee E. Lindner, 31, is facing four felony counts of delivering methamphetamine, one felony count of manufacture and delivery of marijuana, one felony count of maintaining a drug trafficking place and a felony count of bail jumping.

Authorities arrested Lindner Wednesday at his residence in the town of Richmond after executing a search warrant.

The Shawano County Sheriff’s Department learned in April of Lindner’s alleged activities from a confidential informant.

The source had purchased eight-ball quantities (approximately 3.5 grams) of methamphetamine each day from Lindner beginning in February of 2019 for personal use, according to the criminal complaint.

Lindner would charge $135 for the 3.5 grams of methamphetamine, according to the complaint.

The source also stated Lindner sells ounces of marijuana for $175 to $200 and takes in about $1,000 per day total on drug sales.

The source said Lindner regularly purchased meth and cocaine from a residence in Green Bay.

The source estimated the average amount of drugs that Lindner was supplied with each week as eight to 16 ounces of cocaine and crack cocaine per week, and four to eight ounces of methamphetamine each week.

A second confidential informant also described Lindner as a large-scale dealer of meth and cocaine and said Lindner kept numerous weapons around the house “in case someone messed with him,” according to the complaint.

Authorities conducted three controlled drug buys in July, each time using a confidential informant to purchase $200 in meth from Lindner, according to the complaint.

During the execution of the search warrant Thursday, authorities seized 10.57 grams of methamphetamine and 1,029.07 grams of marijuana.

Authorities also found numerous drug paraphernalia, baggies, a scale, a ledger tracking drug transactions, $465 in cash and a .45 caliber semiautomatic pistol.

The sheriff’s department was assisted by Shawano and Stockbridge-Munsee police departments, the Waupaca County Emergency Response Unit, state Division of Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency.

Three woman at the residence were also taken into custody. Two had outstanding arrest warrants and the third was arrested by Stockbridge-Munsee police in connection with another incident. Two children at the residence were turned over to the Department of Human Services.

Lindner could face a maximum 15 years in prison and $50,000 fine on each count if convicted of delivery of methamphetamine. One of those counts could have 10 years and $50,000 added to the penalty because of the use of a dangerous weapon.

He could also face 10 years and a $25,000 fine for manufacture and delivery of marijuana. That count also carries an additional penalty for use of a dangerous weapon.

At a court appearance Monday, Judge James Habeck ordered Lindner held on a $500 cash bond and a $4,500 signature bond.

Lindner is due back in court for an adjourned initial appearance Aug. 19.