POSTED: Thursday, April 5, 2012 --- 11:55 a.m.

On April 4, 2012, at about 10:45 AM, in the 400 block of 6th Avenue West, on Monroe's west side, Monroe Police arrested Richard Daniel Ward (20), Monroe, on an arrest warrant. The warrant charges two counts of delivery and possession with intent to deliver fentanyl, a considered narcotic.

Count one charges delivery and possession with the intent to deliver fentanyl within 1000 feet of a park, and count two charges delivery and possession with the intent to deliver fentanyl within 1000 feet of a school. Delivery of fentanyl is a Class E Felony, carrying a maximum penalty of imprisonment up to 15 years., and fines up to $15,000. The delivery within 1000 feet of a park or school could increase any imprisonment by up to 5 years.

The arrest stems from the ongoing investigation into illegal drug trafficking by the State Line Area Narcotics Team, a regional drug task force consisting of law enforcement officers from the Illinois State Police, Rockford, Loves Park and Freeport, Illinois Police Departments, Green County, Wisconsin Sheriff's Department, and the Monroe, Wisconsin Police Department.

Ward was transported to the Green County jail, and will be held pending further court action.

Fred Kelley, Chief
Monroe WI Police Department