By Jacob Mathias

An arrest warrant has been issued for a Stevens Point man charged with meth distribution after one of his admitted customers had a bad reaction to the drug.

Benjamin Harcus, 25, is charged with felonious delivery of methamphetamine, which carries a maximum sentence of up to a $25,000 fine, or 12 years and six months imprisonment or both if convicted.

He also faces a charge of second degree recklessly endangering safety, a felony with a maximum sentence of up to a $25,000 fine, or 10 year imprisonment or both if convicted.

Harcus failed to show for his initial appearance in Portage County Circuit Court on May 2.

According to the criminal complaint, Plover police and EMS crews responded when a 21-year-old man was having trouble breathing on April 6 shortly before 6 PM. Officers on the scene spoke with the 911 caller, who reported the victim told him he was on methamphetamine.

After questioning the victim later police learned that Harcus had injected the man with the meth earlier that day, and that there was more methamphetamine at his home. After securing a search warrant for Harcus’ home, police uncovered a baggy containing six crystals of what later tested positive for methamphetamine.

The victim also told police that buys methamphetamine from Harcus, but also deals the drug for Harcus in exchange for a “little chunk” of meth. It was not immediately known if the victim would face charges as well.

The arrest warrant for Harcus is active as of May 2.