Burglary Investigation Leads to “One Stop, Drug Shop” and Loaded Hand Gun

An investigation by the La Crosse Police Department into several burglaries led to the arrest of multiple individuals, the recovery of a large quantity of stolen items, a loaded hand gun, seizure of $7450.00 cash and a wide variety of drugs with an estimated street value of $57,000.00.

Over the first couple weeks of the New Year, La Crosse Police have taken several burglary reports in the campus housing area.  These investigations led investigators to get a search warrant for 1018 Gillette St.  Due to safety concerns raised during the investigation, the La Crosse Police Emergency Response Team (ERT) was used to execute the search warrant.  As the ERT executed the search warrant, several individuals in the basement of the residence smashed out a window in an attempt to flee the residence.  Officer Hughes and his K-9 Zeus were able to “encourage” the individuals to stay in the basement where they all were taken into custody.

A search of the residence revealed the investigators had found much more than a burglary ring.  Besides all the TVs, video game systems, computers and other electronic items, investigators seized a loaded 9mm hand gun as well as a wide array of illegal drugs.  These drugs included 336.7 grams of Ecstasy, 137.5 grams of cocaine, 37.7 grams of crack cocaine, 26.7 grams of marijuana, 10.3 grams of heroin, 3.8 grams of fentanyl and 50.5 grams of laced sugar candies.  Based on the current street price of these drugs, the estimated value is about $57,000.00.

The following individuals were taken into custody and charged as part of this investigation:

Dai’Twon E’Shawn Cowson DOB: 07/30/1997 of Toledo, Ohio

• Burglary
• Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card
• Receiving Stolen Property

Jerrad A. Simms DOB:07/24/1985 of Harvey, Illinois

• Possession with the Intent to Deliver Ecstasy/MDMA
• Possession with the Intent to Deliver THC
• Possession with the Intent to Deliver Heroin
• Possession with the Intent to Deliver Cocaine
• Possession with the Intent to Deliver Schedule II Narcotic
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Drugs near certain places enhancer – schools

Lennell L. Davis Jr.  DOB: 03/18/1989 of Chicago, Illinois

• Possession with the Intent to Deliver Ecstasy/MDMA
• Possession with the Intent to Deliver THC
• Possession with the Intent to Deliver Heroin
• Possession with the Intent to Deliver Cocaine
• Possession with the Intent to Deliver Schedule II Narcotic
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Drugs near certain places enhancer – schools

Debrian A. Hayes  DOB: 08/20/1995 of La Crosse

• Possession with the Intent to Deliver Ecstasy/MDMA
• Possession with the Intent to Deliver THC
• Possession with the Intent to Deliver Heroin
• Possession with the Intent to Deliver Cocaine
• Possession with the Intent to Deliver Schedule II Narcotic
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Drugs near certain places enhancer – schools

Jesse J. Stringer  DOB: 08/15/1987 of La Crosse

• Possession with the Intent to Deliver Ecstasy/MDMA
• Possession with the Intent to Deliver THC
• Possession with the Intent to Deliver Heroin
• Possession with the Intent to Deliver Cocaine
• Possession with the Intent to Deliver Schedule II Narcotic
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Drugs near certain places enhancer – schools
• Felon in Possession of Firearm
• Receiving Stolen Property

Gwenee Lawson  DOB:08/01/1987 of La Crosse (No Photo)

• Possession with the Intent to Deliver Ecstasy/MDMA
• Possession with the Intent to Deliver THC
• Possession with the Intent to Deliver Heroin
• Possession with the Intent to Deliver Cocaine

Cases like this are an example where Police Department resources like the Emergency Response Team and K-9 units are needed for a successful investigation and safe arrests.