Names Released in Western U.P. drug bust

The Western U-P Drug Task Force – GIANT – has made a major bust.: five suspects have been arrested, and are now facing numerous felony and misdemeanor charges.

24 year old Shawn Bryant of Ironwood has been charged with delivery of methamphetamine. Tthe felony carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison and/or a $25,000 fine.

He is also facing numerous other drug charges: involving delivery of schedule two narcotic, delivery of marijuana, and maintaining a drug house.

Steven Jon Bardon, 30, also of Ironwood, has been charged with delivery of a schedule two narcotic. This is a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and/or a $25,000 fine. He is also facing charges of delivery of marijuana and maintaining a drug house.

Another suspect, Mitchell C. Burton, 22 of Ironwood, has been charged with two counts of delivery of marijuana, a felony with a punishment of up to 4 years in prison and/or a $20,000 fine. He is also charged with maintaining a drug house.

23 year old Jeffrey Leigh Laabs, of Ironwood, has been charged with possession of a schedule two narcotic on school property. This is a 4 year felony and/or a $4,000 fine.

The final suspect, 53 year old Gail A. Schimke of Gile, Wisconsin, is being charged with three counts of distribution of a schedule one, two, or three non–narcotic. This is a 6 year felony and/or a $10 fine. She is also charged with delivery of a schedule 4 drug, also a felony.

All suspects have been arraigned through the Gogebic and Iron County Courts. Bond for each of the suspects ranges from $5,000 to 10 percent of $900,000.

This incident is still under investigation. Officials say more arrests are possible in connection to this bust. GIANT is made up of officers from Ironwood Public Safety, Hurley Police, as well as the Gogebic and Iron County Sheriff Departments.