Western Wisconsin man arrested in Woodbury, charged with drug crimes

A Wisconsin man who had been on law enforcement’s radar turned up last month at a Woodbury motel, where he was accused of possessing more than a pound of marijuana.

The suspect, Dennis Grohn, of Elk Mound, Wis., posted a bond today in Washington County after he was arraigned Wednesday on four felony drug counts.

He was arrested March 16 after Woodbury police conducted a check at the Red Roof Inn. Police checked the motel’s records, which listed the name of a female who was listed as a possibly missing person. The law enforcement alert said she might be with Grohn, who had a felony warrant for his arrest.

Police located and arrested Grohn at the hotel before heading to his room, where they detected the smell of marijuana.

The occupant, identified as the Crystal L. Smith – the possibly missing female – told police she was fine and did not need help, according to a criminal complaint.

After being denied access to the room by Smith, police obtained a search warrant and entered the room.

Police found a black case in the room that held a jar and a bag – both of which contained marijuana, according to the complaint.

Also allegedly inside the case was a pill box containing pills a baggie with heart-shaped pills inside. Police also found suspected methamphetamines in the room, as well as suspected drug paraphernalia.

A briefcase found on a table in the room turned up a meth pipe, a digital scale and a baggy with more marijuana, the allegations state.

All told, the marijuana found in the room added up to 1.12 pounds, the complaint states. The 38 heart-shaped pills were sent to a crime lab for investigation.

Prescription drugs were also found in the room, according to the complaint.

If convicted on the most serious charge – fifth-degree drug sales – Grohn faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.

Wisconsin electronic court records reveal charges were filed March 15 against Grohn in Dunn Counyt for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

His next court hearing is April 4.

Tags: crime and courts, news, crime