A 51-year-old Manitowoc man and a 47-year-old Manitowoc woman appeared for bail hearings Wednesday afternoon after police conducted a search warrant at a southside residence Tuesday afternoon.
Matthew K. Vertz is charged with Being A Keeper of A Drug House and Misdemeanor Bail Jumping while Jennifer C. Norrell faces charges of Possession of Methamphetamine and Fentanyl. Officers served the warrant at a residence in the 800 block of South 19th Street which had a history of drug activity.
Vertz, the homeowner, admitted allowing people to use drugs in his basement while Norrell told officers that she used fentanyl nearly every day.
Both were taken into custody while two other residents in the house were not charged. Vertz is free on a $5000 recognizance bond and $500 cash bail was set for Norrell, who remains in The County Jail on a Probation Hold.
Conditions of bail for both defendants include having “no contact” with the other residents of the house and any known drug users or dealers, with the exception for Vertz to return to address legal matters to obtain his home.
Both must also maintain “absolute sobriety”. Norrell’s initial appearance is scheduled for October 3rd while Vertz is due back in court for his initial appearance on October 17th.
