2/20/2026

GOGEBIC COUNTY – A Milwaukee man was found Guilty on several drug charges by a Gogebic County Jury yesterday after a 2-day jury trial in Bessemer.  The Gogebic County Jury found 33-year-old Isaac Sawyer of Milwaukee guilty of possession with intent to deliver meth, two counts of conspiracy to deliver meth, one count of conspiracy to deliver heroin, possession with intent to deliver heroin and maintaining a drug house. Each count carries a maximum prison sentence of up to 20 years in prison, with the exception of the drug house charge, which is a maximum of two years in prison. Sawyer is also being charged as a four-time habitual offender, which will increase his prison sentence by up to life.  Sawyer and 2 passengers were picked up following a traffic stop in Ironwood back on May 11^th by the Gogebic Iron Area Narcotic team also know as GIANT.  Police found 130 grams of meth, 27 grams of heroin, cocaine, mushrooms, different pills, two scales for measuring drugs, gem bags for packaging and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle.  The drug team was under the direction of Matt Sterbenz, team leader of GIANT, and assisted by other officers from Iron County, Wisconsin and the Gogebic County Sheriff’s Office, as well as the Michigan State Police Wakefield Post. Sterbenz was promoted to the director of the IPSD.  Sawyer is still in the Gogebic County jail pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled.  The Passengers of that vehicle Both Layla Filipek and Shane Reinfelder were already convicted and sentenced for their involvement.