Two Sentenced On Stone Lake Drug Bust Case

Law enforcement found drugs and a loaded firearm during the execution of a search warrant

Two Sentenced On Stone Lake Drug Bust Case

SAWYER COUNTY -- Kenneth R. Richards and Heidi M. Hinrichs, two of the three people arrested after law enforcement found drugs and a loaded firearm during the execution of a search warrant at a Stone Lake residence last year, have been sentenced in Sawyer County Circuit Court.

DrydenWire.com reported on December 14, 2018 that three individuals, Richards, Hinrichs, and Dominick VIolette were all arrested following the execution of a search warrant at a residence in Stone Lake, WI on December 12, 2018.

Law enforcement located methamphetamine, “gem” bags with methamphetamine residue, other items of drug paraphernalia, pills that are Schedule II controlled substances and a loaded .22 caliber rifle as a result of the search warrant. The warrant was executed by Sawyer County Sheriff’s Office Deputies, assisted by the Sawyer County SWAT team, the Washburn County SWAT team, Wisconsin DOJ Division of Criminal Investigation Agents, the City of Hayward Police Department and the Wisconsin State Patrol.

According to the Sawyer County Sheriff’s Office, Sawyer County Child Protective Services also provided assistance.

Kenneth R. Richards


Online circuit court records show that Richards recently appeared in Sawyer County Circuit Court and entered a plea of to his charge of Class I Felony Possession of Methamphetamine. Richard’s charges of Misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana and Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia were dismissed but read in. The Court ordered a 3 year sentence with probation. Conditions of Richards’ probation require him to maintain Absolute Sobriety; complete an Alcohol and Other Drug Assessment within 45 days and follow through with recommendations of that assessment. Richards was also ordered to pay over $1,000 in fines and costs.

Heidi M. Hinrichs


Hinrichs also recently appeared in Sawyer County Circuit Court and entered pleas of No Contest to her charges of Class I Felony Maintain Drug Trafficking Place, Misdemeanor Possession of a Controlled Substance and Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. A charge of Misdemeanor Neglecting a Child was dismissed. The Court ordered a 3 year sentence on Hinrichs’ felony conviction with probation; and 1 year of probation on each of her misdemeanor convictions. Conditions of Hinrich’s probation require her to maintain absolute sobriety, complete an alcohol and other drug assessment and follow through with recommendations. The Court also ordered Hinrichs to pay over $700 in costs and fines.

Dominick L. Violette


According to online circuit court records Violette is facing charges of Class I Felony Possession of Methamphetamine, Class H Felony Bail Jumping and Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia as a result of the drug bust. Violette also has pending charges of Class G Felony Intimidate Witness/Person Charged/Felony in another Sawyer County Circuit Court case. In addition, Violette faces charges of Class E Felony Possess w/ Intent-Amphetamine(>3-10g), Class F Felony Manuf/Deliver Amphetamine(<=3g), Misdemeanor Possess Drug Paraphernalia, and Class H Felony Bail Jumping filed in 2 separate Washburn County Circuit Court cases. Douglas County Circuit Court shows one case pending against Violette, with charges of Class I Felony Possession of Methamphetamine. Violette is due back in Sawyer County Circuit Court later this month.

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: Jun 19, 2019 9:19 am CDT

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Crime & Court

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