A Siren, WI man has been sentenced in Burnett County Circuit Court on his felony charges of growing marijuana plants.
Online circuit court records show that Russell Eckstrom has entered into a Deferred Sentence Agreement in Burnett County Circuit Court regarding his criminal charges stemming from the execution of a search warrant in July 2016 at his residence.
According to a criminal complaint filed against Eckstrom, during the execution of the search warrant, officers discovered more than 20 marijuana plants growing on Eckstrom’s property - some inside the residence and others outside. In addition, investigating officers located devices used for smoking controlled substances, gem baggies with methamphetamine residue, marijuana ‘shake’, and a partially smoked ‘joint’.
According to online circuit court records, at a hearing held on July 30, 2018, the Court accepted Eckstrom’s plea of guilty to his charge of Class G Felony Manufacture THC (Marijuana), and his charge of Misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana. Eckstrom’s charges of Class I Felony Possession of Methamphetamine and Misdemeanor Possess Drug Paraphernalia are also included under a Deferred Sentence Agreement which will require Eckstrom to undergo random drug testing and random searches of his residence.
Eckstrom will also be under the supervision of the Wisconsin Department of Corrections as he serves 3 years of probation.
Additional conditions of Eckstrom’s probation indicate that if at any time he tests positive for methamphetamine, he will serve 30 days of conditional jail time. Eckstrom is to complete an Alcohol and Other Drug Assessment and comply with any recommended treatment.
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Siren Man Faces Felony Charges After Discovery of More Than 20 Pot Plants
Monday, November 27, 2017 | by Ben Dryden
A Siren, WI man is facing charges of growing marijuana plants in Burnett County, WI following the execution of a search warrant at his property in July 2016.
According to the criminal complaint filed in Burnett County Circuit Court against Russell Eckstrom, the Burnett County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant on his property in Burnett County after a complaint was received which indicated that Eckstrom may be growing marijuana plants on his property.
During the search warrant, investigators discovered more than 20 marijuana plants growing on Eckstrom’s property; some inside the residence and "several" outside. At least one bedroom inside the residence had lights installed to aid in growing the marijuana plants and the walls of the bedroom were covered in tin foil. The plants found growing outside the residence were located in a clearing and there was a hole where it appeared one plant had been recently dug up. Investigators also found a mature plant with multiple cuttings removed; some of the cuttings had been placed in a growing medium.
The criminal complaint goes on to state that investigators also found devices used for smoking controlled substances, gem baggies with a white residue of methamphetamine, marijuana ‘shake’, and a partially smoked marijuana ‘joint’.
Eckstrom is charged with Class I Felony Possess Methamphetamine, Class G Felony Manufacture THC (Marijuana) (>1000-2500 Grams), Misdemeanor Possession of THC (Marijuana), and Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
The maximum penalty for a conviction of Class G Felony Manufacture THC (Marijuana) is imprisonment for not more than 10 years, a fine of not more than $25,000, or both.
The criminal complaint against Eckstrom was filed in May of 2017 and in September of 2017, after finding probable cause for the State’s charges to move forward and accepting Eckstrom’s Not Guilty plea on all charges, the Court placed Eckstrom on a signature bond which requires him to maintain absolute sobriety.
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: Aug 06, 2018 4:43 pm CDT
