Pubdate: Sat, 09 Dec 2006
Source: Capital Times, The  (WI)
Copyright: 2006 The Capital Times
Contact:  http://www.madison.com/tct/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/73
Note: Usually does not publish letters from outside the state.
Author: Kevin Murphy, Correspondent for The Capital Times
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Marijuana)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/raids.htm (Drug Raids)

MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO DRUG CHARGE

15 Pounds of Marijuana Found

A town of Dunn man from whom authorities seized 50 pit bulls after a
drug raid pleaded guilty Friday in federal court to a marijuana
conspiracy charge.

Robert A. Lowery, 58, admitted to conspiring with Jason Carr, 25 and
Heather Lane, 31, both of the town of Genesee, to distribute more than
450 pounds of marijuana between Jan. 1 and June 13, 2006.

Carr made three trips to Arizona earlier this year and each time
returned to Lowery with about 150 pounds of marijuana, said Assistant
U.S. Attorney David Reinhard. On the last two trips, authorities saw
Carr and Lane leave Lowery's residence together and return days later,
Reinhard said.

About 15 pounds of marijuana, $47,000 in cash, scales, about 700 grams
of cocaine and five guns were recovered when a search warrant was
executed at Lowery's 3554 Lake Farm Road address on June 14. Dane
County authorities also seized 52 dogs, including 50 pit bulls, which
were impounded at the Dane County Humane Society. Friday's plea didn't
affect the pit bulls' situation, Reinhard said.

Both Carr and Lane have already pleaded guilty to marijuana conspiracy
charges and face sentencing next month before U.S. District Court
Judge John Shabaz.

Despite having a cancerous tumor "the size of an orange" on his neck
according to court documents, Lowery was scheduled to stand trial on
Monday. Lowery appeared in court Friday wearing a blue jail inmate's
uniform and moved and spoke without difficulty.

Shabaz has twice ordered the federal Bureau of Prisons to begin
treating Lowery for his illness, but to date, he has received only
painkillers according to court documents. On Friday, Shabaz ordered
Lowery be detained at the Federal Medical Center in Rochester, Minn.,
so he can be treated for his illness.

After court, Lowery's attorney Charles Giesen wouldn't comment on
whether or not Lowery was healthy enough to be at his two-day trial
next week, or if his client's illness figured into his decision to
plead guilty.

Reinhard said the evidence against Lowery was "pretty strong"
including the expected testimony of Carr and Lane.

Lowery, who was a Dane County sheriff's deputy before being fired in
1981, faces five to 40 years in prison at his Feb. 16 sentencing.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake