Felony possession of marijuana
Criminal charges and an arrest warrant were issued Tuesday for an Appleton man who was allegedly keeping drugs in a safe at a Red Springs residence where he stays on weekends.
Donald R. Benzel, 40, is charged with felony counts of second or subsequent offense possession of marijuana and second offense possession of a controlled substance. He could face 3 1/2 years in prison and a $10,000 fine on each count if convicted. He is also charged with misdemeanor counts of possessing drug paraphernalia and a controlled substance.
Stockbridge-Munsee Police and Shawano County sheriff’s detectives executed a search warrant at the residence on Aug. 6. Authorities seized 10.9 grams of marijuana, as well as LSD, according to the criminal complaint.
Felon in possession of a firearm
A Birnamwood man convicted in 2011 of manufacture and delivery of heroin faces a new charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Ryan S. Matsche, 31, is accused of having a .22 caliber handgun that he purchased over the summer from a private party. He could face 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine if found guilty.
Matsche is free on a $1,000 signature bond and is due back in court for an adjourned initial appearance on Feb. 3.
Assault by a prisoner
An Embarrass woman arrested for disorderly conduct in Belle Plaine last week is facing a felony charge of assault by a prisoner after allegedly spitting at a sheriff’s deputy after she was taken into custody.
Tina M. DeCleene, 51, could face 3 1/2 years in prison and a $10,000 fine if convicted. She is also charged with misdemeanor counts of disorderly conduct and resisting an officer.
Authorities were called to check on a woman trying to flag down traffic on state Highway 22 on Jan. 16. DeCleene told sheriff’s deputies she was trying to get home, according to the criminal complaint.
Probation and Parole asked deputies to do a breath test on DeCleene, who was on probation for resisting an officer in Waukesha County last year, at which point she became verbally and physically abusive, according to the complaint. She was taken to Shawano County Jail, where she allegedly spit on one of the deputies.
DeCleene was being held on a $2,500 cash bond and is due back in court Monday for an adjourned initial appearance.