Local man arrested in meth bust

On April 3, the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department K-9 Unit initiated a traffic stop in Prairie du Chien on a vehicle being operated by Chris Fernette, 39, Prairie du Chien, for an equipment violation.

Fernette is also on felony bond conditions through Crawford County Circuit Court for narcotic related charges. The deputy made contact with Fernette, and in plain view, observed what appeared to be methamphetamine paraphernalia.

K-9 Breck was utilized for a sniff of the vehicle and alerted to the presence of one or more controlled substances that he is trained to detect. Due to the K-9 alert, a search of the vehicle was conducted. Deputies discovered a fake water bottle with a “false compartment” which had several individually packaged bags of methamphetamine. Officers also located a black container with another small bag of methamphetamine, and two needles filled with liquid methamphetamine. The total amount of methamphetamine was 12 grams, along with the needles that had 55 units of liquid methamphetamine.

Fernette was arrested and transported to the Crawford County Jail on suspicion of several felonies including possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, possession of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine paraphernalia and felony bail jumping.

Assisting on scene were the Prairie du Chien Police Department and Bob’s Towing and Repair.