Wisconsin legislator’s daughter faced with drug charges

Listen to this article

MILWAUKEE (AP) — A Wisconsin lawmaker’s daughter is in serious trouble with the law after she allegedly pointed a gun at two people in an SUV.

Online court records show 18-year-old Sophie Dittrich, daughter of Oconomowoc Republican state Rep. Barbara Dittrich, was charged Tuesday with multiple counts, including disorderly conduct with dangerous weapon; carrying a concealed weapon; possession of mushrooms and marijuana with intent to deliver; and possession of drug paraphernalia.

She could face more than 14 years in prison if convicted.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Thursday that the criminal complaint against Dittrich states that two people in an SUV flagged down police in an Oconomowoc parking lot on Dec. 27. They reported that a woman in another vehicle had pointed a pistol at them.

Police found that vehicle and smelled marijuana inside, according to the complaint. Dittrich and two others were in the vehicle. One of them, 18-year-old Jordan Nowak, was cited for 5 grams of marijuana in her wallet. The third person, a 17-year-old, was cited for obstruction, according to the complaint.

Dittrich initially denied any conflict with the two people in the SUV, the complaint said, but later said she knew the female occupant and they hadn’t gotten along for at least eight years. She said she made the shape of a gun with her fingers as she passed the SUV and made an obscene gesture with her other hand.

The next day police asked the two people in the SUV why Dittrich would display a gun for no reason. They learned that two months earlier one of the SUV occupants had obtained a THC vape cartridge from Dittrich without paying for it, according to the complaint.

Officers searched Dittrich’s car and found a loaded Ruger .22-caliber pistol that matched the description of the gun that Dittrich allegedly pointed at the SUV, the complaint said. They also discovered marijuana, mushrooms, THC wax and THC cartridges. THC is the mind-altering ingredient in marijuana.

Rep. Dittrich issued a statement Wednesday saying her daughter is a young adult and needs support as she takes responsibility for her well-being.

“Every family who suffers through the pain of addiction, regardless of the specific form which it presents, has their own private story of trial and sorrow,” Barbara Dittrich said. “Now you know part of my family’s story and what impacts some of my legislative decisions. Given this recent incident, I will fight all the harder for those facing similar circumstances as long as I remain in the Wisconsin state Legislature.”

The Associated Press left a message seeking comment from an attorney for Sophie Dittrich. A preliminary hearing is set for March 1.