Sheriff Brian Schmidt and Chief of Police Michael Hauschild are pleased to announce a joint drug distribution investigation was conducted by the Price County Sheriff’s Office and the Phillips Police Department.
This investigation began in March of 2025. As a result of this investigation, numerous residential search warrants were executed within and around the City of Phillips. To date, nine individuals have been arrested in connection with this investigation. The individuals arrested and the charges referred to the Price County District Attorney’s Office are as follows:



Benjamin L. Krueger (Age 44)
• Delivery of Methamphetamine (0-3g) 2nd or Subsequent Offense (3 counts)
• Delivery of Methamphetamine (0-3g) 2nd or Subsequent Offense as a Party to a Crime • Maintain a Drug Trafficking Place as a Party to a Crime (3 counts)
• Felony Bail Jumping (8 counts)
Bradley K. Vasa (Age 57)
• Manufacture/Deliver THC as Party to a Crime (2 counts)
• Maintain Drug Trafficking Place as a Party to a Crime (2 counts)
• Possession with Intent to Distribute THC



Donald J. Zimmermann (Age 56)
• Possession with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine (10-50g) 2nd or Subsequent Offense • Possession of THC
• Possession with the Intent to Distribute THC (<200g) 2nd or Subsequent Offense • Maintain Drug Trafficking Place as a Party to a Crime
• Possess Drug Paraphernalia (2 counts)
• Neglecting a Child (2 counts)
Karen L Zimmermann (Age 54)
• Possession of THC
• Maintain Drug Trafficking Place as a Party to a Crime
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Neglecting a Child (2 counts)
Nichole A. Vanhoozen (Age 50)
• Possession of Methamphetamine as a Repeater
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia



Samuel A. Williams (Age 44)
• Delivery of Methamphetamine (10-50g) 2nd or Subsequent Offense
• Delivery of Methamphetamine (0-3g) 2nd or Subsequent Offense
• Possession with the Intent to Distribute THC Near City Park 2nd or Subsequent Offense • Possession of Methamphetamine 2nd or Subsequent Offense (2 counts)
• Possession of THC 2nd or Subsequent Offense (2 counts)
• Encourage Probation Violation
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (2 counts)
• Felony Bail Jumping (8 counts)
Vanessa F. Godfrey (Age 40)
• Delivery of Methamphetamine (0-3g) 2nd or Subsequent Offense as a Party to a Crime (2 counts) • Maintain a Drug Trafficking Place as a Party to a Crime (3 counts)
• Felony Bail Jumping (12 counts)
William R. Cantrell Sr (Age 55)
• Delivery of Methamphetamine 2nd or Subsequent Offense (2 counts)
• Possession of Methamphetamine 2nd or Subsequent Offense
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Habitual Criminal Enhancer (2 counts)
William R Cantrell Jr. (Age 34)
• Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine
• Delivery of Methamphetamine (0-3g) 2nd or Subsequent Offense
• Maintain a Drug Trafficking Place as a Party to a Crime (2 counts)
• Felony Bail Jumping (4 counts)
• Manufacture/Deliver THC (2 counts)
• Possession of THC
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
This investigation is ongoing and additional arrests or criminal charges may be forthcoming. Sheriff Schmidt and Chief Hauschild would like to remind the public these individuals are innocent until proven guilty. The Price County Sheriff’s Office and the Phillips Police Department were assisted by the Price County Health and Human Services Child Protection Service.