Brookfield Central HS student charged, admits to dealing marijuana for profit
Gage Malensek
WAUKESHA COUNTY -- At Brookfield Central, fans fill the stands on Friday night, March 1. They're excited for a regional game -- but it's what happened in a different court that's drawing the most attention.
One of the team's star players was absent. 18-year-old senior Gage Malensek now faces multiple criminal charges for allegedly dealing drugs. The criminal complaint was filed on Friday, March 1 -- and Malensek is charged with the following:
The criminal complaint notes four instances in which Malensek was involved in the sale of THC. Those dates include Jan. 16, Jan. 25, Jan. 29 and Feb. 7. In each case, investigators used a confidential informant (CI) to meet with Malensek. Authorities would provide the CI with "buy money" -- and the deal would play out. After the deal was done, the CI would provide investigators with what he/she received in return. In each instance, the complaint says the items purchased tested positive for THC. The complaint indicates Malensek was dealing marijuana, THC vape cartridges and THC wax.
Brookfield Central High School
On Tuesday, Feb. 19, investigators went to Brookfield Central High School and met with Malensek. The complaint says they did a search of Malensek and he "had a THC vape pen on his person containing what (the detective) believed was THC oil. That oil was later tested and did contain the presence of tetrahydrocannabinol."
Gage Malensek
Later, detectives executed a search warrant at Malensek's Brookfield home. The complaint indicates they "located spent vape cartridges in the vent work and also cartridges in the basement area containing what was believed to be THC wax. Each of those vape cartridges indicated that it contained 1 gram and they were tested" and did test positive for THC. Detectives also found blunt wrappers and more vape cartridges with suspect THC wax residue. Those also tested positive for THC.
On Thursday, Feb. 21, a detective met with Malensek, who "admitted that he was involved in selling marijuana and marijuana wax." The complaint says Malensek "indicated that each time he sold the marijuana products, he did so for profit."
Brookfield Central High School
A second person is charged in connection with this case -- a 17-year-old male student. In one of the four instances noted that Malensek arranged for a drug deal, Malensek apparently could not be present for the drug buy. The complaint indicates he enlisted the help of the second student to do the exchange. The second student, who is charged with manufacture/deliver THC and maintaining a drug trafficking place, indicated "he did not make any money out of this deal. He indicated he did get free marijuana wax to smoke or vape from Malensek as a result of him helping out."
Malensek made his initial appearance in court on Friday, March 1. Online court records indicate Malensek waived his right to a preliminary hearing -- and entered a not guilty plea to the charges against him. Malensek is due back in court on April 1.
FOX6 News has confirmed Malensek is off the Brookfield Central basketball team. School officials did not wish to make a statement on the investigation.
Malensek was not on Friday night's game roster. Before his arrest, the high school senior was finishing out the year with plans to play at Truman State College in Missouri. Fans are disappointed in what's happened with a star player off the court.
"I was really looking for them to go ahead," said Sam Jackoyo, a fan. "I still hope they will, but he was a big loss to the team."
This crowd is still looking forward to the team moving in a positive direction.