By Jacob Mathias

A Waupaca man and Stevens Point woman face felony charges after a Portage County K-9 unit indicated they were in possession of heroin.

According to the criminal complaint, a Portage Co. deputy attempted to stop the car containing Bethany Parker, 25, of Stevens Point, and 36-year-old William Parker of Waupaca. The two were traveling westbound on Highway 10 at about 2 AM, and a scan of the car’s plates indicated the vehicle’s registered owner did not have a valid drivers license.

William Park was driving but did not stop the vehicle immediately, continuing for almost 20 seconds before pulling over. Bethany Parker was in the passenger seat.

William Parker (Photo courtesy of Portage Co. Jail)

Upon an exterior search of the vehicle, K-9 Baco indicated the presence of narcotics. Inside the vehicle deputies found syringes, a metal tin and a rubber tourniquet, which typically is used for injecting drugs.

William Parker told deputies the two were returning from Milwaukee after paying off a debt. He admitted they’d traveled to Milwaukee to purchase heroin in the past, but denied either of them had purchased drugs that day.

Bethany Parker admitted to using drugs that day, but denied having purchased any heroin, or having any drugs on her person. Deputies suspected she had the drugs hidden, and obtained a warrant for a body cavity search.

A physician at Ministry St. Michael’s Hospital later removed several baggies containing 6.4 grams of heroin from Bethany Parker’s body.

Bethany Parker has been charged with possession with intent to deliver heroin, a felony with a maximum sentence of up to 15 years imprisonment, a $50,000 fine or both if convicted. She is also charged with misdemeanor obstructing an officer which carries a sentence of up to nine months imprisonment, or a $10,000 fine or both.

Bethany Parker was scheduled to make her initial appearance in Portage County Circuit Court this week, but that appearance was postponed to Jan. 4 to allow her time to meet with an attorney. She is currently free on a $2,500 cash bond.

William Parker is also charged with possession with intent to sell heroin, as well as two counts of felony bail jumping. The bail jumping carries a maximum of six years imprisonment, a $10,000 fine or both for each offense. He made his initial appearance in court on Dec. 14 for a preliminary hearing.

William Parker is also facing charges of possession of narcotic drugs and felony bail jumping following an arrest on Oct. 18, for which he was free on a $1,000 cash bond at the time of this incident.

He remains in custody with a $10,000 cash bond and returns to court on Dec. 28.