Charges filed in largest bust from drug task force

Charges were filed Wednesday in what's being billed as the largest bust made by the West Central Drug Task Force.

42-year-old Jason Ressel has been charged with six felony counts and 46-year-old Yvette Weeks has two felony counts, in connection to a bust which took place last month on Eau Claire’s south side.

According to the criminal complaint filed Wednesday, authorities had been keeping an eye on the activities of Ressel for more than a year.

"A couple of other things happened recently to it that gave us extra information to move forward with the search warrant on it," Sgt. Andy Falk with the West Central Drug Task Force, said to WEAU 13 News on Wednesday.

After Ressel was arrested the morning of Sept. 27th, officers went to his apartment on Eldorado Blvd. There, they were met by his girlfriend 46-year-old Yvette Weeks. Once inside, authorities found a vast amount of drugs – including more than 527 grams of methamphetamine.

The search for drugs and other paraphernalia did not end up the apartment. According to the complaint it also involved looking in side Ressel’s vehicle. In there, they found 134 more grams of meth – pushing the total to more than 660 grams.

Authorities also searched storage units at the end of London Rd. used by Ressel and Weeks finding little more evidence.

The amount of methamphetamine seized in this case is substantial, but Falk said the charges are just a small dent in the fight against local drug trafficking.

"We're always trying to do our best to eliminate individuals like this in the community,” he said. “Unfortunately he's probably not the only person that's operating at that level in our area.

"From this point forward then, it also has to do with the court process and Department of Corrections and what ultimately happens with him. But, while it is a great case, it doesn't solve the problem for us in the area."

A preliminary hearing for Ressel is set for Oct. 31st in what Falk says is the largest bust by the West Central Drug Task Force.

"We're proud of this this particular instance, but we are also aware that this is just one small victory and that there's much more work to be done on the matter."

While these county charges came out Wednesday, it doesn't mean that'll be it. Falk told WEAU 13 News the drug task force has approached the U.S. attorney's office and is pressing for a grand jury indictment on Ressel.