Man charged with stealing truck, marijuana possession

A 48-year-old Viroqua man has been charged in Crawford County Circuit Court with one count of operating a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent, one count of operating with a restricted controlled substance in the blood (second offense), one count of possession of marijuana (second offense), and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. 

Brent Felde faces up to 10 years and 30 days of imprisonment and $21,600 in fines if convicted of all counts.

According to the criminal complaint, a Crawford County man and his father pursued a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado owned by the son.

The vehicle stopped and the son and father made contact with the driver, later identified as Felde, who had stolen the vehicle, the complaint said. 

Felde later told deputies that he stole a different vehicle in Vernon County, drove it to a farm in Crawford County and stole the Silverado from the farm. He said the keys were in it and that he took a lot of vehicles, the complaint said. 

Felde said he was attempting to get away from someone who was chasing him, according to the complaint.

Felde was found to be in possession of a plastic baggie of marijuana and a metal smoking device, the complaint said. 

Felde later told officers that he smokes a little bit of meth every day to get him going, according to the complaint. Feldt also said the marijuana was his medicine and that it wasn’t very good, the complaint said.