BURNETT COUNTY (DrydenWire) - The first of six criminal cases that were filed following the culmination of a drug investigation in Burnett County has closed.
According to a press release, on October 15, 2025, at approximately 10:10a, the Burnett County Sheriff’s Office conducted three simultaneous drug search warrants in the Village of Grantsburg.
These warrants were obtained based on information gathered from an investigation into drug trafficking in the Grantsburg area.
The warrants resulted in six arrests and the seizure of methamphetamine, marijuana, and several items of drug paraphernalia.
The Grantsburg Police Department, Siren Police Department, and Burnett County Human Services assisted the Burnett County Sheriff’s Office.
The following people received criminal charges in Burnett County Circuit Court:
Rita Wenzel, age 56, of Grantsburg – Class E Felony Manufacture / Deliver Amphetamine (>3-10g). On October 16, 2025, Rita appeared for a bail bond hearing. The Hon. Judge Melissia Mogen ordered a $10,000 cash bond. She appeared most recently while in custody on November 17, 2025, for a preliminary examination hearing. Judge Mogen heard testimony and found probable cause to bind over. Rita is scheduled to appear again in December 2025.
Larry Kruger, age 65, of Grantsburg – Class I Felony Possession of Methamphetamine and Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Larry was placed on a $500 cash bond when he appeared for a bail bond hearing on October 16, 2025. His bond was posted the next day. He appeared most recently on November 5, 2025, and is scheduled to appear again in December 2025 for an adjourned initial appearance.
Daniel Blahowski, age 64, of Grantsburg– Class I Felony Maintain Drug Trafficking Place, two counts of Class E Felony Manufacture / Deliver Amphetamine (>3-10g), Class I Felony Possession of Methamphetamine, Misdemeanor Possession of THC, Misdemeanor Resisting an Officer, and Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. On October 16, 2025, Judge Mogen ordered a $10,000 cash bond for Blahowski. On November 19, 2025, Judge Mogen heard a motion by Blahowski’s defense counsel and amended the bond to $2,500. Blahowski is scheduled to have an initial appearance hearing in December 2025 on his charges.
Dominique Fleckner, age 31, of Grantsburg – Class I Felony Possession of Methamphetamine as a Party to a Crime, Class I Felony Possession of THC 2+ Offense, Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and two counts of Misdemeanor Child Neglect. Dominique was placed on a $500 cash bond on October 16, 2025. Her bond was posted a few days later. She last appeared on November 5, 2025, and is scheduled to have a preliminary examination hearing in December 2025. Online court records show that in a separate Burnett County Court Case, Dominique is scheduled for a court trial on a Theft of Library Materials charge.
Bradley Belisle, age 47, of Grantsburg – Class I Felony Possession of Methamphetamine as a Party to a Crime, Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and two counts of Misdemeanor Child Neglect. Bradley is subject to a $500 cash bond that was ordered on October 16, 2025. He is scheduled to have a court hearing in January 2026 on his charges.
Update
Orval Simon, age 59, of Grantsburg – Class I Felony Possession of Methamphetamine, Class H Felony Bail Jumping, Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Misdemeanor Violation of a Restraining Order.
The charges filed against Orval were dismissed and read in during a hearing on November 19, 2025. Orval was sentenced on convictions for two counts of Class I Felony Possession of Methamphetamine that were filed against him in two separate Burnett County court cases. Orval was ordered to serve 100 days in county jail with 79 days of credit, followed by 1 year of probation and 6 months of additional jail time, imposed and stayed.
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: Nov 25, 2025 10:14 am CST
