Neopit Man Indicted for Drug Trafficking and Firearm Offenses on Menominee Indian Reservation

Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney, announced that on January 4, 2017, a federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment against a man involved in drug trafficking on the Menominee Indian Reservation. The indictment named Joseph Komanekin, Jr. (age: 33) of Neopit. Count One of the indictment charged Komanekin with Possession with Intent to Distribute a Schedule I Controlled Substance in violation of 21 United States code, Section 841. Count Two charged Komanekin with Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Offense in violation of 18 United States Code, Section 924(c). Count Three charged Komanekin with Possession of a Short-Barreled Shotgun in violation of 26 United States Code, Section 5861(d). On Count One Komanekin faces a maximum sentence of up to 20 years’ imprisonment, up to a $1,000,000 fine, and between 3 years and a lifetime of Supervised Release. On Count Two Komanekin faces a mandatory 10-year consecutive sentence and up to life in prison, up to a $250,000 fine and up to 5 years of Supervised Release. On Count Three Komanekin faces a maximum sentence of up to 10 years’ imprisonment, up to a $10,000 fine and up to 3 years of Supervised Release.

According to the indictment, the defendant possessed just under 40 grams of a substance containing a Schedule I analogue called AB-FUB, which is a synthetic cannabinoid known locally as “Ish.” The synthetic drugs were discovered along with shotgun ammunition and a short-barreled shotgun during the February 6, 2016 execution of a search warrant at Komanekin’s residence.

The case was investigated by the Menominee Tribal Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Maier.

An indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

# # #

For additional information contact:

Acting Public Information Officer Elizabeth Makowski at 414 297-1700