Four individuals from Wisconsin arrested on drug and other charges following traffic stop

Sunday evening, March 10, a Waukon Police Department Officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle that had a brake light out and failed to completely stop at the intersection of West Main Street and Fifth Street SW in Waukon when the vehicle sped up. During a short pursuit that followed, items were thrown from the vehicle which were later located by officers and included a glass pipe with burned residue and a clear plastic baggy filled with a white powder that field tested positive for methamphetamine, according to court documents.

As a result of the incident, 38-year-old Amanda Clauer of Prairie du Chien, WI was arrested and charged with operating a motor vehicle without a license, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and eluding. Additionally, 52- year-old Kenneth Marketto of Bagley, WI and 41-year-old Jennifer Gossman of La Crosse, WI were both arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

When the vehicle came to a stop, a male subject fled the scene and refused to obey orders from the officer. An officer was also injured during the incident. The fleeing subject was located a short time later using a K-9 officer. The male, 39-year-old Jerome Houston of Prairie du Chien, WI, was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

All four individuals initially appeared before Magistrate Mueller the following day, Monday, March 11. Magistrate Mueller released all of the arrested individuals on signature bonds, except Houston, who was held on a $2,000 cash/corporate surety bond and a felony State of Wisconsin arrest warrant.

According to court documents, Houston was wanted by the State of Wisconsin on felony bail jumping charges. He had previous criminal charges leveled against him in the state of Wisconsin for fourth degree sexual assault, vehicle theft, operating while under the influence, disorderly conduct and criminal damage to property.

A subsequent search warrant was conducted March 11 on the vehicle involved in the incident. As a result of that search, more items of drug paraphernalia and methamphetamine were located. Further charges are pending as a result of the other items located in the vehicle.

The Waukon Police Department was assisted in the case by the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office and the Allamakee County K-9 Unit. A criminal charge is merely an accusation and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.