La Crosse Man Sentenced to 7 Years for Trafficking Fentanyl and Cocaine
MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Jesse J. Stringer, 33, La Crosse, Wisconsin was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 7 years in federal prison for possessing with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. This prison term will be followed by 4 years of supervised release. Stringer pleaded guilty to this charge on May 24, 2021.
On September 23, 2020, La Crosse Police Department officers purchased 6.3 grams of fentanyl from Stringer through a confidential informant in La Crosse. The next day, officers purchased 6 grams of fentanyl from Stringer, again through a confidential informant in La Crosse. On October 13, 2020, law enforcement officers obtained a search warrant for Stringer’s apartment in La Crosse, and found 86 grams of fentanyl, 81 grams of crack cocaine, 259 grams of powder cocaine, and $15,600 in cash.
In imposing sentence, Judge Peterson noted the particular danger posed by fentanyl, Stringer’s sustained involvement in this drug activity, his criminal history, and the fact that he committed these crimes while out on bond for multiple open state cases involving drug charges.
The charge against Stringer was the result of an investigation conducted by the La Crosse and Town of Campbell Police Departments, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The La Crosse County District Attorney’s Office also provided assistance in this case. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven P. Anderson.
