2023-07-27 Witt

In July of 2023 members of the Amarillo Police Department PACE (Pro-Active Criminal Enforcement) began an investigation into the drug trafficking activities of WITT an SCHMITKONS. Officer received information that WITT and SCHMITKONS were trafficking in large amounts of fake M-30 pills which contain fentanyl.

On 07/27/2023, members of Amarillo Police Department PACE executed a search warrant at 1550 Bell Street Apartment #302. The state warrant was issued by the Honorable Municipal Court Magistrate Judge Laura Hamilton. The Municipal court is a court of record in the State of Texas. WITT and SCHMITKONS were the listed suspected parties of this warrant. WITT was seen exiting the apartment and was taken into custody just outside his apartment. A short time later SCHMITKONS was seen opening the door and officers took her into custody. At the time SCHMITKONS was contacted she was holding a tube used for the smoking of fentanyl pills. A search of the residence yielded approximately 100 M-30 fentanyl pills, 3 hand guns, and one rifle. Officers had also received information that WITT had previously believed someone was trying to rob him so he fired a round through a the door of the apartment. Officers did locate a hole in the door of the apartment consistent with a bullet hole.

WITT and SCHMITKONS were transported to the Amarillo Police Department and Amarillo DEA Resident Office was contacted. WITT and SCHMITKONS were both interviewed after being advised of their constitutional rights. Both parties agreed to speak with officers. During the interview, WITT estimated that between April of 2023 to the July 27, 2023, he had received and distributed approximately 90,000 M-30 fentanyl pills. WITT described himself as doing the leg work of the trafficking and SCHMITKONS would speak with the people and set the deals because he did not like dealing with people socially. WITT stated the guns located in the residence were all his. WITT stated he smoked fentanyl pills every day and has been using fentanyl for over a year.

When agents interviewed SCHMITKONS, she stated she and WITT had distributed approximately 30,000 M-30 fentanyl pills. SCHMITKONS stated she smoked M-30 fentanyl pills every day. SCHMITKONS stated she has been using fentanyl for well over a year.

Officer received information that WITT and SCHMITKONS possibly had a storage unit they were maintaining to store M-30 fentanyl pills. Officers asked WIT about the unit and WITT admitted that there would be more fake M-30 pills located at the storage unit. WITT gave consent for officers to search the unit and provided they the address of 2000 Hardy, Amarillo, Texas, Unit 03356. WITT also provided officers keys to the unit. Upon searching the unit officers located an additional approximate 250 fake M-30 fentanyl pills and bulk US currency. The US currency was located in the same bag as the fake M-30 fentanyl pills.

Officers conducted a field test of one of the recovered pills and the pill did show positive for fentanyl. This officer knows from his training and experience that number of pills possessed by WITT and SCHMITKONS is consistent with distribution, as opposed to personal use.