Pubdate: Fri, 12 Oct 2001
Source: La Crosse Tribune (WI)
Copyright: 2001, The La Crosse Tribune
Contact:  http://www.lacrossetribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/229
Author: Betsy Bloom
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

TOMAH COP POSING AS STUDENT MAKES BUSTS

TOMAH, Wis. - The new kid at Tomah Senior High School this fall 
wasn't a kid after all. He was a 30-year-old law enforcement officer, 
whose three weeks of attending classes at the school resulted in two 
teens being charged with several drug offenses.

The two face marijuana and cocaine charges for activities that took 
place either in the school or just off school grounds, Tomah Police 
Chief Chris Anderson said. Adam-Cade Gilson, 17, is charged with four 
counts of felony delivery of crack/cocaine and one count of 
possession of crack/cocaine with intent to deliver, plus a penalty 
enhancer for delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of 
a school.

He appeared in Monroe County Circuit Court Tuesday and was released 
on a $10,000 signature bond and electronic monitoring.

Paul D. Meacham, 18, was expected to be in court today after a 
hearing Thursday on his bond was continued. Meacham is charged with 
two counts of delivery of marijuana and a single count each of 
possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana with intent to deliver 
and possession of drug paraphernalia. Again, a penalty enhancer was 
included.

Anderson said the department had planned the operation at Tomah 
Senior High School for more than a year, with the cooperation of 
school officials. "We were just trying to find the right person" to 
go undercover at the school, he said.

Eventually, an officer was hired specifically for the investigation, 
and began attending classes in September, Anderson said.

The officer, who was not identified, was able to purchase narcotics 
from students as part of the investigation, he said.

Transactions took place in school or started on school grounds and 
were completed at another location, Anderson said.

"It was a learning experience for us, to really see what the extent 
of drug activity is in the Tomah area," Anderson said.

He would not confirm whether more arrests are expected, but said the 
investigation is continuing.
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