Three of five alleged drug trafficking co-conspirators were ordered held without bond by a U.S. Magistrate.

Peter George Noe, 25, had a hearing Monday before a U.S. Magistrate. He was ordered detained without bond.

Last Thursday, Timothy James Schultz, 21, and Terry Lynn Bauman, 29, also had hearings before a U.S. Magistrate. Schultz and Bauman were also ordered detained for further proceedings.

Two other defendants charged in connection with the case, Michael Arthur "Mack" Clennon, 21, and Amy Marie "Mom" Placek, 40, both of Austin, were released last week after similar appearances before a U.S. Magistrate.

Noe's last residence was a house in Lyle. Schultz and Bauman also lived in Austin.

Authorities 'mum'

The United States attorney for the district of Minnesota is not sharing many details about the case. Neither are local authorities since the arrests were made Jan. 17.

Assistant United States Attorney Jeff Paulsen is prosecuting the cases.

The recent successful break-ups occurred from two separate methamphetamine drug rings: a Jan. 7 raid on a Lansing trailer home and the Jan. 17 arrests of five suspects in another methamphetamine drug ring.

The indictments handed down by a federal grand jury shed more light on the most recent case.

According to the first count, the five co-conspirators began planning their methamphetamine trafficking activities in January 2000 and continued through October 2002.

In early April 2002, Schultz and others began to distribute 500 grams or approximately one pound of methamphetamine, according to the second count.

A month later, the actual distribution began with approximately one-eighth ounce of methamphetamine on May 9, 2002, by Bauman, according to the third count.

Four days later (May 13, 2002), Bauman sold another one-eighth ounce of methamphetamine, according to the fourth count.

Activities escalated quickly

On May 17, 2002, Bauman sold another one-eighth ounce, according to the fifth count.

Placek became involved in the distribution of the methamphetamine June 19, 2002, when the sixth count alleges she distributed one-fourth ounce of the substance.

The traffickers grew bolder and sold their largest individual amount of the drug nine months into the operation.

Schultz sold approximately four ounces of methamphetamine Sept. 11, 2002, according to the seventh count of the indictment.

Also on that date, Bauman allegedly distributed four more ounces of the substance. Also, the indictment charges Noe, whose street name was "Ghost," with conspiracy to distribute marijuana.

According to the ninth count, Noe was engaged in marijuana trafficking from January 2000 to September 2002.

Noe and others dealt approximately 220 pounds of marijuana

during the period.

The indictment also requires the five defendants to forfeit personal property gained directly or indirectly by the offenses they are alleged to have committed.

The list includes a 1964 customized Chevrolet Impala owned by Noe and stored in a garage at Mason City, Iowa.

Noe and others claimed to be members of the Inland Empire white supremacist group. They also claimed the title "Peckerwood" for their local chapter.

This fact was independently verified prior to the arrests of the five individuals at residences in Lyle, Austin and Rochester. Noe himself appeared on a local television station to explain his allegiance to the organization.

Police have said the Inland Empire is a known prison gang with its roots in the northern California area. Also in federal custody is Joe Daniel Robinson, 29.

A federal grand jury indicted Robinson in November 2002 as a felon in possession of a firearm.

Robinson was arrested while asleep at the wheel of a vehicle parked at an east side convenience store and gas station. With him was a loaded nine-millimeter semi-automatic handgun with the serial number filed away.

At the time, local authorities linked him with Noe and his Inland Empire associates and described Robinson as a "hit man" for the organization.

Robinson has felony convictions for first degree robbery, battery on a police officer and third degree assault. Federal law prohibits him from possessing a firearm.

The robbery conviction came in May 1991 at Sacramento, Calif. and the battery conviction came in Sept. 1992 in Stockton, Calif. Robinson, who was convicted of the assault charge Jan. 17, 2000, in Freeborn Count District Court, remains in federal custody.

The indictment also refers to "others who names are known and unknown to the grand jury."

At the time the drug ring was broken and the arrests made, Mower County Attorney Patrick W. Flanagan would only say there are other suspects "on our radar screen."

Lee Bonorden can be contacted at 434-2232 or by e-mail at

lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com