Tim Ryan, tryan@wolfrivermedia.com
Five more people were charged Wednesday as alleged co-conspirators in a massive drug trafficking operation in Shawano County, bringing the total so far to nine.
Among them is the son of a Bonduel couple who had been arrested and charged in connection with the case the day before.
Kody P. Hofman, 26, of Bonduel, is accused of using his residence for the packaging and storage of marijuana that his father, Daniel P. Hofman, 52, of Bonduel, had brought to Shawano County from California.
According to the criminal complaint, text messages between the two go into detail about the California grow operation, which at the time of that discussion had about 20,000 marijuana plants.
There is also discussion of a “new facility” being built in Oregon for processing hash oil.
The two discussed Kody Hofman’s assistance with the distribution of hash oil, according to the complaint, and the distribution of some of the marijuana.
Also charged Wednesday was Kody Hofman’s live-in girlfriend, Jordan L. Weiss, 26, of Bonduel.
Shawano-Menominee County District Attorney Greg Parker called her “one of the main conspirators” during her initial court appearance Wednesday.
The criminal complaint alleges Weiss had detailed knowledge of the California operation and the distribution of hash oil. She also allegedly picked up hash oil on Daniel Hofman’s behalf at an address in Green Bay where it had been shipped.
Other alleged conspirators charged Wednesday were Seth W. White, 28, of Bonduel, Brandon D. Scray-Bass, 23, of Green Bay, and Anthony B. Kotula Jr., 21, of Gresham.
Three more subjects are listed in the criminal complaint but have not been charged.
One of those subjects told authorities he had purchased marijuana from White, who had allegedly gotten the pot from Daniel Hofman. He said White had made deliveries of high-grade marijuana in December 2015 and January 2016 totaling 35 pounds.
Video from a surveillance camera in the subject’s residence, later seized as part of a search warrant, showed White delivering a 25 pounds of marijuana in a duffel bag, according to the criminal complaint.
Scray-Bass is accused of purchasing syringes of hash oil from Daniel Hoffman, based on text messages sent between the two, according to the complaint.
Kotula had been the subject of a separate drug investigation by Stockbridge-Munsee Police in 2015.
According to the complaint, Kotula had worked for Daniel Hofman in California and operated Hofman’s hash oil extraction equipment.
Kody Hofman was ordered held on a $25,000 cash bond and Weiss was ordered held on a $20,000 cash bond.
A $12,500 cash bond was imposed on Scray-Bass, and a $5,000 cash bond on Kotula.
All four are due back in court for adjourned initial appearances on March 6.
White was ordered held on a $5,000 cash bond and was scheduled for a court appearance on March 13.
Defendants previously charged in the case include Daniel Hofman, his wife, Wendy L. Hofman, 53, of Bonduel, Calvin W. Berndt, 22, of Stevens Point, and Joshua M. Natzke, 24, of Shawano.
Daniel Hoffman is charged with two felony counts of maintaining a drug trafficking place, felony counts of conspiracy to deliver marijuana and possession with intent to deliver marijuana while in possession of a dangerous weapon, and several misdemeanor drug counts.
Felonies charged against Natzke include conspiracy to deliver marijuana, three counts of manufacture of delivery of marijuana, including in one instance near a school, four counts of maintaining a drug trafficking place, and two counts of possession with intent to deliver marijuana. He is also charged with several misdemeanor counts.
Berndt and Wendy Hofman are each facing one felony count of conspiracy to deliver marijuana.
Each of the defendants could face a possible maximum 15 years in prison and $50,000 fine if convicted of conspiracy to deliver marijuana.
All other felony counts each carry a maximum 3½ years in prison and $10,000 fine. However, two of the counts against Natzke could be enhanced to a maximum 10 years and $25,000 fine because of the amount of marijuana allegedly involved.
The conspiracy case began as a joint investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigations and the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department.
Other agencies involved have included the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and police agencies in Minnesota and Nebraska.