User:Bobbleheadstrong/Sandbox

Amos Mortier disappeared after returning home from school on Nov. 8, 2004. His disappearance sparked an massive federal drug investigations that continues to this day. So far, more than 25 people in Wisconsin, several northeastern states and Canada have been charged, indicted or sentenced to prison for their involvement in a marijuana organization that began in the late 1990s and ended on or around Nov. 8, 2004, when Mortier went missing. Mortier was a regional distributor of high-grade marijuana grown in Canada, packaged in New York and delivered to Madison, WI, via paid couriers. Investigators believe Mortier was murdered on or around Nov. 8, 2004, but some associates and family believe he might still be alive. Investigators have admitted they lack definitive proof that Mortier is dead, but claim there are no other reasonable explanations for why he hasn't been heard from since he was last seen.

The Operation
Amos Mortier met Reed Rogala around 1997, and shortly thereafter began selling marijuana Rogala procured from an unknown East Coast supplier. Around 2000, Rogala, a UW-Madison botany student, met Hal Taback, who brokered 100-pound marijuana shipments from a Canadian grower named Will Cook. In 2002, Rogala moved to Vermont, but hired drivers to courier the 100-pound shipments to Madison, WI. Thirty pounds went to Rogala's former roommate, Brian Hutchinson. The remaining 70 pounds were delivered to Mortier. Mortier, in turn, fronted marijuana to associated Jacob Stadfeld and Brent Delzer to sell. Rogala's girlfriend, Destin Layne, remained in Madison, acting as Rogala's eyes and ears. In August 2003, Hutchinson ended his role in the operation and relocated to Portland, Oregon. In November 2003, Rogala sent his last shipment of marijuana to Mortier. That $80,000 load was subsequently stolen.

The Disappearance
Shortly after Mortier returned home on Nov. 8, 2004, he called his propane to discuss a billing issue. Around 3:30 p.m., his cell phone powered down. Following a week of unanswered phone calls, concerned friends entered his home and found his deejay turntables on and a half-rolled joint on a table. Both of his vehicles were parked in the driveway. One contained his wallet, iPod and keys. His mother was alerted. The next day she called police.

The Search
Initially it was believed Mortier became injured while walking his dog, Gnosis, who was also missing. Police set up a search zone extending a one-mile radius around Mortier's home. For five days, volunteers combed the wooded swamps and fields around the residence. Gnosis was found; Mortier was not.