Man facing drug charges in case involving death of Officer Rittner pleads not guilty
Marlon Tirado
MILWAUKEE -- A man prosecutors said was in the home near 12th and Manitoba on Feb. 6 as police served a search warrant and Milwaukee Police Officer Matthew Rittner was in court Monday, Feb. 18 for his preliminary hearing.
Marlon Tirado, 23, faces two drug charges:
In court on Monday, a Milwaukee police officer testified during Tirado's preliminary hearing, and a motion to dismiss the case by the defense was denied. Probable cause was found for further proceedings, and a scheduling conference was set for March 4.
According to prosecutors, Tirado sold drugs with the man accused of shooting and killing Officer Rittner, Jordan Fricke.
Fricke, 26, pleaded not guilty during his preliminary hearing on Feb. 14. A trial date was set for July 8.
Dozens of Milwaukee police officers filled the courtroom during Fricke's hearing, as a sign of respect for their fallen colleague a day after his funeral. After his preliminary hearing, Fricke was taken to another courtroom for his arraignment. The dozens of officers followed.
District Attorney John Chisholm, who is prosecuting the case, told FOX6 News the judge was trying to avoid any delays as the case heads to trial.
Fricke made his initial appearance in court on Feb. 10. Probable cause was found for further proceedings, and cash bond was set at $1 million. He faces up to life in prison if convicted.
Fricke faces the following charges:
According to the criminal complaint, on Dec. 27, 2018, Milwaukee police officers responded to the area near 5th and Hayes regarding a "shots fired" complaint. Officers encountered and arrested a convicted felon in possession of a black handgun, as well as cocaine and ecstasy.
During the investigation into this crime, officers determined the gun used in that "shots fired" incident had been purchased 13 days earlier at a gun show by someone that was not the convicted felon. They determined the firearm had been purchased by an associate of Fricke. They deemed this "indicative of unlawful gun trafficking through the use of a 'straw purchaser.'"
Confidential informant
After the December incident, the complaint said officials developed a confidential informant (CI) in the case. That informant "indicated (Fricke) and his friend "Marlon" had been using an associate to purchase firearms at gun shows and stores." The CI said Fricke and his friend would "ask individuals to purchase firearms for them, and then will turn around and sell those firearms to others for a profit." The CI said Fricke "and his friend had others purchase approximately 13 to 15 firearms for them in the past four to five months."
The complaint said the CI indicated "(Fricke) is a drug dealer who sells marijuana and had been doing so for several years." The CI also told police Fricke is a concealed carry permit holder -- and would normally be in possession of a firearm while selling marijuana.
Controlled buys of marijuana
On Feb. 1, officers used the confidential informant to "conduct a controlled purchase of $20 of marijuana." During a phone conversation, Fricke allegedly asked the CI if he "would be willing to attend a gun show to purchase firearms." The CI eventually made two separate purchases of marijuana from Fricke, the complaint indicates -- one for $20 and one for $40.
Milwaukee Police Officer Matthew Rittner dies after shooting near 12th and Manitoba
Based on the marijuana purchases and the information about the purchase of a weapon, officials sought a warrant to search Fricke's residence. The request was reviewed -- and a "no knock" warrant was authorized due to the presence of firearms and the resulting threat to officer safety.
Execution of search warrant
On the morning of Wednesday, Feb. 6, the Milwaukee Police Department Tactical Enforcement Unit went to execute the search warrant at the residence near 12th and Manitoba. The complaint said "all nine members of Unit 5 were wearing a black ballistic helmet and body camera." They also had vests that had "POLICE" written in visible white letters.
According to the complaint, officers took positions around the residence and were yelling, "Police, search warrant!" They eventually got to Fricke's door -- and Officer Rittner then used a "ram device three times" to open the door. The complaint said "almost immediately, four gunshots are fired through the opening in the door from inside the defendant's residence." Officer Rittner was struck. Officers got into the residence and saw Fricke's hands in the air. At the same time, other team members carried Officer Rittner to safety down the stairs and outside to a rear yard. He was taken to Froedtert Hospital where he did not survive his injuries.
Jordan Fricke
In an interview with police, the complaint said Fricke "admitted to selling marijuana." He also "admitted to assembling rifles and selling them at gun shows."
In regards to the execution of the search warrant, the complaint said Fricke "admitted to being in bed with his girlfriend when he was awoken by a loud noise and yelling. (Fricke) several times claimed that he did not hear what was being yelled, but later did admit that when he entered his kitchen from the bedroom he heard someone yell 'police' outside the kitchen door." He stated "he did not think it was actually the police attempting to enter his residence."
The interview went on to say Fricke "armed himself with his AK 47 pistol and aimed at the center of the door, where a hole was made." Fricke told police "he aimed at the hole, where he saw a person standing and shot." When police crashed through the door, Fricke "claimed that this was the point at which he realized that it was the actual police."