Jeremy Ratliff
Editor

Following a traffic stop stemming from a seat belt violation last Monday, two men were taken into custody on numerous felony drug charges.
James Scott Alexandroni, 27 of Wausau and Scott A. Rizzo, 36 of Star Lake, Wis. remain in the custody of the Lincoln County Jail on $2,500 cash bond. Both men face an array of charges including possession of heroin, cocaine, methemphetamine, ecstasy, paraphernalia used to store or manufacture methamphetamine and carrying a concealed knife.

Scott A. Rizzo

James Scott Alexandroni

According to a criminal complaint filed with the Lincoln County Disrtrict Attorney’s Office, on the morning of Monday, October 28, a Wisconsin State Patrol trooper was on patrol in the vicinity of Pine Ridge Avenue in the city of Merrill, when the trooper observed a passenger in a passing vehicle, not having his seatbelt secured.
The trooper followed the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop on US 51, approximately 2 miles north of the city limits.
Upon approach of the vehicle, the trooper noted the passenger-later identified as Rizzo- was reportedly unable to sit still and was “very fidgety.” Additional observations of Rizzo’s rapid speech being slurred and difficult to understand, led the trooper to believe Rizzo may be under the influence of a stimulant, according to the complaint.
When speaking with the driver-later identified as Alexandroni- he advised the pair were en route from a casino to a court appearance in Vilas County.
While the trooper continued his investigation, a Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office deputy arrived to assist as well a K9 unit from the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office. A positive ‘hit’by the K9 unit led to a search of the vehicle,.
The ensuing search led to the discovery of multiple gem bags containing a white powdery residue, several other gem bags filled with various substances of varying colors, a scale, and a prescription pill bottle which did not belong to either party.
Other items found in the vehicle, included a large pipe commonly used to smoke methamphetamine, a partially loaded syringe, a contact lens case containing various substances and two switchblade knives located inside the vehicle’s glove compartment.
Both Alexandroni and Rizzo reportedly denied ownership of any of the items found. However according to the criminal complaint, Alexandroni later changed his statement and claimed ownership of all items in the vehicle.
Alexandroni reportedly stated the items were for personal use.
In total, 2.25 grams of cocaine, 1.26 grams of methamphetamine, 2.4 grams of heroin (which also reportedly tested positive for fentanyl), 2.4 grams of ecstasy tablets and a single xanax tablet was discovered as a result of the vehicle search.
Both men appeared in Lincoln County Circuit Court on Tuesday, Oct. 29 facing felony charges of possession of narcotics with intent to deliver; possession of heroin with intent to deliver; possession of amphetamine with intent to deliver; possession of cocaine with intent to deliver, possession of designer drugs with intent to deliver, possession of Schedule IV drugs with intent to deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia to manufacture or produce methamphetamine.
Rizzo faces a misdemeanor charge of carrying a concealed knife. Alexandroni also faces a felony bailjumping charge.