Plea Reached By Drug Suspect Whose Release Angered Lax Police Chief

When La Crosse police chief Ron Tischer criticized local judges this year for letting drug suspects out of jail, he specifically singled out the case of Shawn Welch.

In January, Welch was busted in La Crosse for selling cocaine, bailed out of jail the same day, and was arrested three days later after another cocaine sale. After investigators learned that Welch planned to skip town if he was released again, his bond was set at 50-thousand dollars. Today, Welch reached negotiated pleas on the drug charges. He’s still in the county jail, and his sentencing is set for June 3rd.