Edward Patterson, Kevin Breitzman and Paul Markiewicz
Feds busted a McDonald's restaurant front to fund a marijuana distribution and operation at three Wisconsin locations.
By H. Nelson Goodson
October 16, 2013
Whitefish Bay, WI - On Wednesday, Federal agents from the DEA and multiple law enforcement agencies raided the Whitefish Bay home of Edward G. Patterson, 38, owner of three McDonald's restaurant franchises after a federal indictment alleged that the fast burger businesses were used as a front to fund a marijuana distribution operation. The McDonald's restaurants owned by Patterson are located at 11250 N. Port Washington Rd. in Mequon, 8739 N. Port Washington Rd. in Fox Point and 5344 N. Port Washington Rd. in Glendale were used by Patterson to conspire with other five suspects to launder money from drug sales and to hide proceeds generated from the operation.
Patterson deposited three $12,000 checks into his McDonald's bank accounts. Fifteenth warrants were executed on Wednesday by the feds.
The suspects including Patterson were charged with conspiracy to distribute large amounts of marijuana or a controlled substance and the use of a mail facility to facilitate possession and intent to distribute a controlled substance. If convicted, each suspect is facing up to 40 years in a federal prison.
Feds confiscated 2 pounds of high grade marijuana, 11 weapons and $90,000 in cash, according to a statement released by the U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration office (DEA) in Chicago. The investigation into Patterson's drug dealing began last year, according to the DEA.
The five other suspects were identified as Kevin Breiztman, 29, of Glendale; Paul Markiewicz, 27, of Germantown; Andrea Marquardt, 29, of New Berlin; John Webler, 39, of Milwaukee and Paul Heiniger, 42, of Willits, California.
All the suspects in Wisconsin were taken into custody early Wednesday except Heiniger from California who is still at large, according to the feds.
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