Grand Jury Returns Three Indictments
MADISON, WIS. -- A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin, sitting in Madison, returned the following indictments today. You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
La Crosse Man Charged with Drug & Gun Crimes
Joshua Kletzke, 37, La Crosse, Wisconsin, is charged with possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possessing a firearm in furtherance of that drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that on June 9, 2020, he possessed 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it and also possessed a loaded .357 Magnum pistol.
If convicted, Kletzke faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum penalty of 40 years in federal prison on the methamphetamine charge. The charge of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years; federal law requires that any sentence imposed for this charge be served consecutive to any sentence imposed on any other criminal charge. The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm has a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.
The charges against Kletzke are the result of an investigation by the La Crosse Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow is handling the prosecution.
