RUSK COUNTY (DrydenWire) - Rusk County Sheriff Jeff Wallace issued a press release on Friday with an update regarding a major drug investigation that culminated in serious felony charges for Kyle Eldridge.
The investigation involved multiple controlled buy transactions and in March 2023, when Eldridge was taken into custody, Law Enforcement seized over 400 grams of methamphetamine, MDMA, Psilocybin Mushrooms, a short-barreled shotgun, and over $4,000 in cash.
Eldridge is facing charges in 2 Rusk County court cases including Class C Felony Conspiracy to Commit Possession With Intent to Deliver Methamphetamine, Class G Felony Deliver Psilocybin, Class I Felony Possession of Methamphetamine, Class H Felony Possession of Short-Barreled Shotgun, 5 counts of Class H Felony Bail Jumping, Misdemeanor Possession of a Controlled Substance, 5 counts of Misdemeanor Bail Jumping, Misdemeanor Operate with Restricted Controlled Substance (2nd), Misdemeanor Operate Firearm w/Controlled Substance, Misdemeanor Operate w/o Valid License (2nd w/in 3 yrs), and Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Criminal charges are also pending against Jeffrey Murphy and Alyssa Kondelik.
Press Release
The Rusk County Sheriff's Office wants to remain transparent with status updates relating to major cases within our community. In regards to this transparency, we would like to give an official update following a Facebook post to the public on March 21, 2023, notifying the public of a resolved drug investigation conducted by the Rusk County Sheriff's Office.
On September 6, 2022, Kyle A. Eldridge was charged by the Rusk County District Attorney's Office for Possession of Meth, Operate with a Restricted Controlled Substance, Operate Firearm with Restricted Controlled Substance, Operate without Valid Driver's License, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and two (2) counts of Misdemeanor Bail Jumping. This case is still active and pending with the District Attorney's Office.
Again, on March 20, 2023, Eldridge was charged by the Rusk County District Attorney's Office with Possession with Intent to Deliver Methamphetamine, Conspiracy to Commit, Manufacture/ Deliver Psilocin (<=100g), Possession of a short-barreled shotgun, Possession of Amphetamine/LSD/Psilocin, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, five (5) counts of Felony Bail Jumping and five (5) counts of Misdemeanor Bail Jumping.
Due to serious safety concerns involved in this investigation, the Barron/Rusk County Emergency Response Team was activated to take Eldridge into custody on March 15, 2023. Subsequently, law enforcement seized 444 grams of methamphetamine, 5 grams of MOMA, 24 grams of Psilocybin Mushrooms, 1 short-barreled shotgun, and $4,700.00 in US Currency. Eldridge admitted to using, possessing and distributing large quantities of methamphetamine in addition to being involved in the distribution of an illegal firearm within our community. As a result, Eldridge was placed on a $15,000.00 cash bond and confined in the Rusk County Jail pending a case resolution.
On October 5, 2023, the Rusk County Circuit Court modified Eldridge's bond and provided him furlough allowing him to attend an out-of-state, non-secured, treatment facility; while having multiple, serious pending charges and disregarding prior court orders. The Rusk County Sheriff's Office recognizes there is a time and place for community-based treatment, however, it is best done in situations that do not pose a risk to the community.
— Per Sheriff Jeffrey Wallace
Last Update: Oct 06, 2023 1:43 pm CDT
