(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
SALEM LAKES, Wis. – A 42-year-old Lake Geneva man is facing five criminal charges after a traffic stop earlier this month allegedly uncovered cocaine, drug paraphernalia, and a masking agent—all while he was reportedly under the influence.
(Kenosha County Sheriff)
Michael D. Schmuck was formally charged Thursday in Kenosha County Circuit Court with second-offense operating while under the influence, possession of cocaine (second and subsequent offense), possession of drug paraphernalia, obstructing an officer, and use or possession with intent to use a masking agent. All charges carry repeater enhancers due to prior felony convictions, including a 2019 conviction for second-degree recklessly endangering safety in Walworth County.
According to the criminal complaint, Kenosha County Sheriff’s Deputy McGrath pulled Schmuck over around 3:52 a.m. on June 5 after observing erratic driving on Antioch Road in Salem Lakes. When the deputy approached the vehicle, he reported seeing a plastic bag containing a white, rock-like substance—later confirmed to be cocaine—sitting on top of a Taco Bell cup in the center console.
After initially denying knowledge of the substance, Schmuck allegedly grabbed the bag and threw it out the driver’s side window onto the roadway, scattering some of its contents. Deputies later retrieved the bag and weighed the cocaine at approximately 3 grams.
A subsequent search of the vehicle allegedly turned up a translucent pipe with burnt residue, a copper scrub pad commonly used in drug smoking, an empty pill bottle with burn marks, and a small container suspected of containing urine—possibly intended to defeat drug tests.
During field sobriety tests, Schmuck displayed body tremors, droopy eyelids, poor balance, and constricted pupils, according to the deputy, who is a certified Drug Recognition Expert. Schmuck eventually admitted to using crystal meth four days prior, though he denied ownership of the drugs and paraphernalia, instead blaming a female passenger who had recently exited the vehicle.
Court records show Schmuck has a prior conviction for OWI in 2018 and multiple drug-related offenses. Due to his status as a repeat offender, the maximum penalties on several of the new charges are significantly enhanced.
Court Commissioner William Michel II set cash bail at $7,500 during Schmuck’s initial appearance Thursday. He is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing on June 26.
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5 Responses
Typical Schmuck behavior.
The schmucks are royalty in these parts
Yeah, I would change my name!
It’s very easy to change your name; he really should have dropped the “M” 20+ years ago. That is so bad.
His parents must be proud. He a true schmuck. The schmucks are a proud bunch. Not everyone can be a schmuck. His epitaph will read “Here lies a true schmuck”