By Jacob Mathias

Court Reporter

WOOD COUNTY — A Marshfield man faces several felonies after an undercover investigation led to multiple charges of drug possession and distribution.

Jesse Berkholtz, 22, is charged with three counts of delivering schedule II drugs, a felony with a maximum sentence of up to 15 years imprisonment, a $15,000 fine, or both if convicted. He is also charged with three counts of felony delivery of schedule IV drugs and possession with intent to deliver THC, which both carry a maximum sentence of up to six years imprisonment, a $10,000 fine, or both.

Felony possession of amphetamine and maintaining a drug trafficking place, which are each punishable by up to three years and six months imprisonment or a $10,000 fine or both, are also listed as charges against him.

According to court documents, on Jan. 28 members of the Central Wisconsin Drug Task Force met to investigate alleged drug trafficking by Berkholtz. A confidential informant and an undercover officer who had been in contact with Berkholtz via text message met with him in the parking lot of a Subway restaurant.

Berkholtz reportedly arrived in a dark colored Ford Taurus and parked next to the undercover officer, leaned into his vehicle, and handed him a baggie with five whole and two half blue pills that were identified as alprazolam, a schedule IV narcotic prescription drug for anxiety better known as Xanax.

The undercover officer met with Berkholtz multiple times throughout winter and spring of 2015 and exchanged money for more alprazolam as well as vicodin and morphine.

On April 29 Marshfield police officers visited Berkholtz at his residence in regards to drug trafficking and explained the undercover activity. He agreed to speak with them. Police say Berkholtz admitted to selling the various drugs as well as ecstasy and marijuana to the officers and others.

He consented to a police search of his house, and they reported finding marijuana, Adderall, digital scales, a water bong, pipes, and butane hash oil.

Berkholtz is currently free on a $2,500 signature bond issued at his initial appearance in Wood County Circuit Court on Oct. 26.

His next court appearance is not yet scheduled.