BURNETT COUNTY -- Criminal methamphetamine-related charges have been filed against two men in Burnett County Circuit Court following a traffic stop in February 2021.
A Wisconsin State Patrol Trooper stopped a vehicle near the roundabout at Highways 70 and 35 in Burnett County after observing an inoperable brake lamp on the vehicle.
The driver of the vehicle was identified as Andrey Todd, of Spooner, WI, and the passenger in the vehicle was identified as the owner of the vehicle, Michael Melendez, of Rice Lake, WI.
A Wisconsin State Patrol K-9 Unit also arrived on the scene and ultimately conducted a check on the vehicle. The K-9 gave a positive alert on the vehicle, which led to a search of the vehicle.
A records check on Todd confirmed that his driver’s license was revoked and so he was taken into custody for that. While Searching Todd, the Trooper located a vial containing a substance that tested positive for cocaine. The Trooper also found a knife in one of Todd’s pockets. Inside Todd’s shoes, the Trooper found baggies containing a substance that tested positive for methamphetamine.
Melendez agreed to a voluntary search of his person, and the Trooper located a bottle of pills without a label. Melendez stated that the pills were Adderall.
Following the discovery of suspected illegal drugs, the Troopers conducted a search of the vehicle. Inside the vehicle, the Troopers found multiple baggies containing a substance that tested positive for methamphetamine as well multiple containers without prescription labels containing a variety of pills which were identified as schedule II controlled substances. The Troopers also found a digital scale and multiple devices used for smoking controlled substances.
Melendez was also taken into custody following the discovery of the other controlled substances inside the vehicle.
The criminal complaint goes on to state that Todd and Melendez said they were going to a friend’s house, however, the name of the friend changed during the course of speaking with the Troopers. Todd told the Troopers that any illegal items in the vehicle belonged to him.
When asked, Todd allegedly stated that he had used methamphetamine a couple hours prior to the traffic stop. The Trooper conducted field sobriety tests with Todd. After Todd declined to give a voluntary blood sample, the Trooper requested and obtained a search warrant for a sample of Todd’s blood. The results of that testing were not included in the criminal complaint at the time of this post.
Todd is charged with Class D Felony Possession with Intent to Deliver Methamphetamine-Party to a Crime; Class H Felony Bail Jumping; Misdemeanor Possession of Cocaine-Party to a Crime; Misdemeanor Operating a Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence-2nd Offense; Misdemeanor Operate Motor Vehicle While Revoked; Misdemeanor Carrying a Concealed Weapon-a Knife; and 4 charges of Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. At a hearing on March 1, 2021, the Court placed Todd on a $5,000 cash bond. Todd is scheduled to have an initial appearance on March 17, 2021.
Criminal charges are also pending against Todd in Jackson County Circuit Court for Class G Felony Theft-Movable Property >$10,000-$100,000; Misdemeanor ake/Drive Veh. w/o Consent-Abandon Veh.; and Misdemeanor Operate While Revoked from an incident occurring in June 2019. Details of that case are not known, however, online circuit court records show that Todd was placed on a $1,000 signature bond in August 2020 and a Jury Trial is to be scheduled for that case.
Melendez is charged with Class I Felony Possession of Methamphetamine-Party to a Crime; Misdemeanor Possession of Controlled Substance-Adderall; and 4 charges of Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. The Court placed Melendez on a $3,000 cash bond at a hearing on March 1, 20201. Melendez made an Initial Appearance on his charges on March 10, 2021. On March 11, 2021, the Court granted a motion to amend Melendez’s bond to a $5,000 signature bond. Online circuit court records show that Melendez is scheduled to have a preliminary examination hearing in March 2021.
Pursuant to the direction of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, as found in Supreme Court Rule 20:3.6, Trial Publicly, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Last Update: Mar 18, 2021 3:55 pm CDT
