PAIGE WADE

FLORENCE, Wis. — A Florence woman pleaded not guilty Tuesday to drug-related charges after being arrested in a hotel parking lot June 14.

Paige Wade, 23, who appeared by video in Florence County Circuit Court, is charged with possession with intent to deliver schedule 4 drugs, a felony punishable by up to six years in prison; possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, a 15-year felony; and possession of methamphetamine, a 3 1/2 year penalty.

Wade is also charged with two counts of obstructing an officer, a misdemeanor carrying a nine-month penalty; operating a motor vehicle while revoked, a one-year misdemeanor; and possession of a controlled substance, a 30-day misdemeanor.

According to the criminal complaint, Wade was arrested June 14 after a Florence area woman reported a suspicious person knocking at her front door. The person left in a station wagon, the complaint states.

Two Florence County sheriff’s deputies later spotted the vehicle turn abruptly from Highway 70 East into the Nicolet Lodge parking lot without signaling, the complaint states. They then saw the driver move from the driver’s seat to the passenger seat.

Wade gave deputies a false name, and would not provide her date of birth. She told them she had been beaten by her boyfriend and was underage, though the deputies did not see any outward indications of an assault, the complaint stated. A passenger window had been broken on the vehicle; Wade told the deputies her boyfriend “smashed it out,” according to the complaint.

While Wade was in the squad car after being arrested, her boyfriend showed up in the parking lot, looking for her. Deputies found no evidence of a domestic incident, according to the complaint.

During booking, deputies learned Wade’s name and that she had an outstanding Marinette County warrant. A search turned up two small plastic bags of methamphetamine and pills later identified as Clorazepam, a medication used to treat seizures and anxiety.

Wade denied the substances belonged to her and suggested her boyfriend had slipped the bags under her clothing during a hug, according to the complaint.

Florence County Circuit Judge Leon Stenz set a $5,000 signature bond. A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for Sept. 10.

Brian Christensen can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 29, or bchristensen@ironmountaindailynews.com.