Wausau Meth Duo Sniffed Out by K-9

By Joe Bachman

Two Wausau men face jail time on charges of methamphetamine possession after a K-9 sniffed out illegal substances during a traffic stop.

Jacob Ring, 24, of Wausau, and Syharaj Vang, 24, of Wausau are charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and resisting an officer.

According to police reports, on May 18, a traffic stop was initiated on W. Riverview Expressway and Chase St. in Wisconsin Rapids. The officer had run the plates, indicating that vehicle's owner had a revoked driver's license.

Initially, the driver identified himself as "Spencer Vang" and gave a false birthdate. However, it was later confirmed that his name was Syharaj Vang. The passenger was identified as Jacob Ring, who owned the vehicle.

Officers determined that Ring was on probation for delivery of a controlled substance, and Vang had a prior conviction of operating without a valid driver's license, and still had no license issued. Vang was taken into custody and several spoons with a white, powdery substance were found on him.

Also found on Vang was a wad of cash in the amount of $3,445.68. A K-9 was requested to do a perimeter sniff of the vehicle, and indicated positive for the presence of an illegal substance.

Inside the vehicle officers found a green gym bag that contained a digital scale, a cutting device, a silver spoon with a white, powdery substance, a package of Benadryl, a torch with butane lighter, several batteries, and a tie band. Officers concluded that the items were likely used to prepare, cut, measure, inject and manufacture methamphetamine, or other drugs.

Also allegedly found in the vehicle was a baggie of a white substance believed to be methamphetamine. Tests would later confirm this to be the case.

Vang has been reported to have numerous outstanding warrants through Marathon County and the Department of Corrections, and was out on bond with the agreement to commit no further crimes.

If convicted, both men face up to three years and six months imprisonment and up to $10,000 in fines for possession of methamphetamine, as well as additional time for possession of drug paraphernalia. Vang faces additional time for multiple counts of bail jumping and resisting or obstructing an officer.

Their preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 26. Both men are currently out on bond.