City cops, DCI partner to bust Stevens Point man on drug, gun charges

By Brandi Makuski

A Stevens Point man is behind bars on numerous drug- and gun-related charges after allegedly stealing guns from his mother’s home and ordering meth through the U.S. Mail.

Brian Louis, 45, has been behind bars on a $20,000 cash bond since he was arrested April 3.

According to the criminal complaint, undercover officers from the Stevens Point Police Dept. were acting on a tip when they observed Louis leaving an east side hotel carrying two firearms wrapped in towels and clothing. After he placed the items in a waiting truck, officers approached Louis and took him into custody, also confiscating the two guns: a Remington Model 597 .22 magnum rifle with a scope and Saiga 12-gauge Russian assault-style shotgun.

The driver, a female acquaintance of Louis’, said she and Louis had plans for dinner and was unaware the items were stolen. She was reportedly assisting Louis in selling the guns for $1,000.

A search of Louis’ pockets uncovered a hotel room key, and after securing a search warrant investigators found .22 ammunition and a series of coin collections. Police later determined the guns and coins, along with $6,000 in cash, had been stolen from Louis’ mother’s home, where he’d been living for the past year.

His mother later told officers the items taken from her home were locked in a safe because Louis “had been stealing from her and her family for years”, and were taken while she was on vacation.

During questioning, Louis told police that he purchased $1,000 worth of methamphetamine from someone in Georgia, and was expecting the delivery to his hotel room. The drugs were purchased via Western Union from a local store, the complaint said, and Louis had communicated with the drug dealer in Georgia using a female acquaintance’s cell phone.

Officers were later able to track the package with the assistance of a U.S. Postal Inspector. When the box, addressed to Louis’ hotel room, was opened, police found 42.8 grams of methamphetamine inside a cookie dough container. Police believe Louis intended to sell the drugs in smaller quantities locally to make a profit.

Louis has been charged with possession of a firearm by a felon, conspiracy with intent to deliver meth, theft of a firearm, and theft of moveable property.

If convicted on the top counts of each charge, he faces almost 40 years in prison. Louis returns to court Aug. 6.