BURNETT COUNTY -- A man has been sentenced on his felony meth charges in Burnett County Circuit Court.
DrydenWire.com reported in April 2017 (see below), that Richard Polinksi was facing felony charges following a traffic stop for a broken tail light which led to the discovery of methamphetamine.
According to online circuit court records Polinski was also charged with Class H Felony Bail Jumping in February 2018.
At a hearing on February 13, 2019, Polinksi entered a plea of Guilty to his charge of Class I Felony Possession of Methamphetamine. His remaining charges of Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Misdemeanor Operate While Revoked, and Felony Bail Jumping were all dismissed but read in by the Court.
After hearing sentencing recommendations from both Polinski’s defense attorney and the State (details not listed in online circuit court records), the Court ordered a withheld sentence with two years of probation.
Conditions of Polinski’s probation require him to complete an Alcohol and Other Drug Assessment and follow through with recommendations. Polinski is to remain gainfully employed and continue to work on getting his driver’s license. He also was ordered to submit to regular testing for substance abuse and if there are positive test results, he is to serve 90 days of conditional jail each time.
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Traffic Stop Leads to Felony Meth Charges in Burnett County
DrydenWire.com l Thursday, April 13, 2017
BURNETT COUNTY — A Burnett County Sheriff's Office Deputy stopped a vehicle on March 24, 2017, for a broken tail light and during the course of the traffic stop located .24 grams of methamphetamine and a glass pipe used for smoking methamphetamine.
According to the criminal complaint, the driver of the vehicle was identified as Richard Polinski, of Grantsburg, WI. Polinski told the Deputy that the car belonged to Polinski's friend and that he was on his way to Frederic, WI. When the Deputy ran a check of Polinski's driver's license, he was advised that Polinski's driver's license was revoked. At that time the Deputy told Polinski that he was under arrest for operating after revocation and that the vehicle would be towed.
The deputy began an inventory of the vehicle to document it's condition prior to being towed, and during the course of that inventory saw a clear glass bubble pipe of the type which is commonly used to smoke methamphetamine wedged between the driver's seat and the passenger's seat.
The criminal complaint continues, stating that the deputy also saw a white crystal substance resembling methamphetamine spead across the floor right in front of the driver's seat. The deputy collected the white substance and the pipe as evidence. Tests conducted later on those items came back positive for methamphetamine.
Officers contacted the registered owner of the vehicle who came to the scene of the traffic stop. He told officers that Polinski had the vehicle for about 2 days. The owner was not able to locate a licensed driver to drive the vehicle away from the scene before the towing company had also arrived and took possession of the vehicle. The towing company stated they would need $50 to release the vehicle. After the owner of the vehicle said he did not have $50, Polinski said he would pay the $50. An officer on scene counted out the money from Polinski's wallet and that money was turned over to the towing company.
Charges of Possession of Methamphetamine (a Class I Felony), Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Misdemeanor Operating a Motor Vehicle While Revoked were filed against Polinski in Burnett County Circuit Court on April 5, 2017.
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: Feb 22, 2019 9:36 am CST
