Traffic Stop Leads to Felony Meth Charges

WASHBURN COUNTY -- The Wisconsin State Patrol conducted a traffic stop on July 25, 2017, in the City of Shell Lake which has resulted in Felony methamphetamine charges being filed against 2 individuals.

According to a criminal complaint filed against Rebecca M. Baker, of Sarona, WI, in Washburn County Circuit Court on August 7, 2017, there were 3 individuals in the vehicle when the Wisconsin State Trooper stopped the vehicle. Baker was the driver, and the 2 passengers were identified as Joshua Zieroth, of Rice Lake, WI, and Dustin Martin, of Spooner, WI.

Joshua Zieroth

Baker is facing charges of Class I Felony Possession of Methamphetamine, Class I Felony Possession of Narcotic Drugs, and Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Public record indicates that a criminal complaint was filed against Zieroth on August 8, 2017, also charging him with Class I Felony Possession of Methamphetamine, Class I Felony Possession of Narcotic Drugs, and Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia with an offense date of July 25, 2017. It is not known to DrydenWire.com at this time if charges will be filed against Martin.

The criminal complaint filed against Baker states that the Wisconsin State Trooper stopped the vehicle after observing that the registration was expired and the vehicle turned right without using a turn signal. When the Trooper made contact with Baker, she reportedly was displaying awkward, exaggerated, rigid body movements and nervous laughter.

Rebecca M. Baker

When the Trooper checked the records on the vehicle, it was determined that none of the 3 individuals in the vehicle were the owner of it. The Trooper saw that the vehicle had a 'lived-in' look, with multiple drinks and articles of clothing throughout the vehicle.

Washburn County Sheriff's Office and the Spooner Police Department both dispatched their K9 Unit's to the scene, and the criminal complaint goes on to state that a positive alert was given on the vehicle by Spooner PD's K9.

Officers proceeded to conduct a search of the vehicle and found the following items:

Inside a large trash bag of clothing items:

• Small Rubber Container with Methamphetamine
• Used Syringe
• Rolling Paper with Methamphetamine inside
• Glass Smoking Pipe with Marijuana

Inside the glove box of the vehicle:

• Scale which had Crystalline Powder on it that tested positive for Methamphetamine

Inside a purse:

• Gem Bag containing Methamphetamine
• 7 loaded Syringes
• Black Smoking Pipe
• Gem Bag with Morphine Pills

All 3 individuals were placed under arrest and transported to the Washburn County Jail. Baker and Zieroth are scheduled to appear on their Felony charges on August 14, 2017. It is unknown at this time whether any of the 3 individuals have been placed on Bail Bond.

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.