Pubdate: Fri, 16 Dec 2005
Source: Watertown Daily Times (WI)
Copyright: 2005 Watertown Daily Times
Contact:  http://www.wdtimes.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3929
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/af.htm (Asset Forfeiture)

SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT RECEIVES DRUG INVESTIGATION FUND

JUNEAU - The Dodge County Drug Task Force has received $15,165.71 from
the United States Drug Enforcement Administration as a result of a
2003 drug investigation.

It is the second payment the department has received as the result of
a 2003 drug seizure involving a town of Clyman couple.

In May of 2004, the department received $24,795.29 from the U.S.
Marshal's office for the local involvement in the drug
investigation.

In June of 2003, Dodge County Sheriff's Department personnel initiated
an investigation into the manufacturing of marijuana at the Donald and
Sandra Otto residence on Sun Road in the town of Clyman.

During the investigation, authorities learned that Robert Dillon of
Pleasant Prairie was involved in growing marijuana with the Otto's.
Dodge County investigators worked with the State Department of Justice
Narcotics Bureau investigators and obtained search warrants for the
Otto and Dillon residences.

On June 4, 2003, law enforcement officers from Dodge County and the
state served a search warrant at the Otto residence. Located in the
basement of the Otto residence was a marijuana growing room housing
307 marijuana plants.

There was also discovered equipment used in the manufacturing of
marijuana, approximately 150 grams of processed marijuana, drug
paraphernalia, 22 firearms, and $6,726 in currency. Investigators
later searched a safety-deposit box utilized by the Ottos and
recovered $50,000.

On the same day, law enforcement officers from the Pleasant Prairie
Police Department, Kenosha County Controlled Substances Unit and the
state served a search warrant at the Robert Dillon residence in
Kenosha County. Located at the Dillon residence were 71 marijuana
plants, more than one pound of processed marijuana, 17 firearms, and
more than $800. Investigators later recovered $15,470.15 and
$16,721.89 from Dillon bank accounts and $5,000 from a Dillon safety
deposit box.

Dodge County and Wisconsin Narcotics Bureau investigators have been
working with federal authorities to seize and forfeit the Otto and
Dillon monies and residences.

In March of 2004, the Ottos were sentenced in the U.S. District Court
for their roles in the marijuana-growing operation based in their
home. Donald Otto, 49, was sentenced to 57 months in prison and
Sandra, 45, was sentenced to 37 months in prison. In addition, the
couple was ordered to forfeit their home in the town of Clyman, a
truck and $95,000. Both had pled guilty to growing marijuana in their
home.

Dillion was sentenced to 51 months in prison for growing marijuana and
ordered to forfeit his home in Pleasant Prairie.

The $15,000 recently received is a portion of the proceeds received
from the sale of the Dillon property in Kenosha County.

Sheriff Todd Nehls pointed out the investigation was initiated as a
result of a citizen complaint forwarded to Dodge County
authorities.

Such information can now be reported anonymously through the use of
the newly created WeTip program in Dodge County, a nationally
recognized program that allows citizens to report crimes. With the
WeTip phone line, 1-800-78-CRIME, callers who have information about a
crime can call and speak to an operator about the information without
identifying themselves. Tips can also be submitted via WeTip's Web
site at www.wetip.com.

All informants who call are eligible to receive up to a $1,000 reward
when a tip leads to an arrest and conviction.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin