By Eileen Persike, Editor

RHINELANDER – Four Rhinelander residents have been arrested in connection with conspiracy to manufacture and sell more than 50 grams of methamphetamine.

The arrests are the result of a six month investigation by members of the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, Northcentral Drug Enforcement Group, Rhinelander Police Department and Wisconsin Department of Justice-Division of Criminal Investigations.

David Lassiter, 39, Kimberly Baenen, 36, Ryan Culver, 37 and Jacob Simon, 41 will appear in Oneida County Court today.

The four have allegedly distributed approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine in the Northwoods. A press release from the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office states their records indicate that approximately $25,000 was sent to a Mexican cartel in Mexico for the purchase of methamphetamine. Additionally, law enforcement said a stolen firearm was also recovered during the investigation. Quantities of the drugs seized during the investigation reportedly tested positive for fentanyl.

A fifth suspect, Benjamin Somers, 35, is being sought. Anyone with information about Somers’s location is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 715-361-5100.