By Eileen Persike
Editor

Four people arrested in Rhinelander Monday on drug charges appeared in Oneida County court December 9. Cash bonds ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 were ordered for Joel D. Hughes, 44, Chantil M. Rahlf, 41, Justin C. Helvey, 27 and Nichole M. Johnson, 23.

Hughes was charged with six felonies, including manufacturing methamphetamine and maintaining a drug trafficking place. Rahlf was charged with five felonies, which include purchase pseudoephedrine with intent to manufacture methamphetamine. Helvey and Johnson each face four felony drug charges and misdemeanor child neglect. Helvey was in court in person; the other three suspects appeared from the jail via video.

According to a Sheriff’s office report, the North Central Drug Enforcement Group Task Force (NORDEG) and the Oneida County Sheriff’s office executed a search warrant at 210 Highview Parkway in Rhinelander where they arrested Rahlf and Johnson. Helvey was arrested on Thayer Street after fleeing from the Sheriff’s office. Hughes was arrested on Coolidge Avenue.

A search warrant was executed at the residence where task force investigators reportedly located items related to controlled substance violations, such as a substance suspected to be meth, paraphernalia, computers and cell phones.