United States Drug Enforcement Administration

MADISON, Wis. – John G. McGarry, Assistant Special Agent in Charge for DEA Wisconsin, and Acting U.S. Attorney Timothy M. O’Shea, Western District of Wisconsin, announced that a federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin returned the following indictments of two men charged with drug trafficking crimes. 

Levonte C. Scales, 29, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, is charged with possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, with possessing a firearm in furtherance of that drug trafficking crime, and with being a felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that he possessed the methamphetamine and a handgun on June 22, 2021. 

If convicted, Scales faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum of 40 years on the methamphetamine charge, a mandatory minimum of five years and a maximum of life on the charge of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and a maximum of 10 years on the felon in possession of a firearm charge. Federal law requires that any sentence imposed on the charge of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime be served consecutive to any other sentence imposed. 

The charges against Scales are the result of an investigation by the Lake Delton Police Department, Sauk County Sheriff’s Office and Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Corey is handling the prosecution.

Richard Skramstad, 58, Knapp, Wisconsin, is charged with three counts of distributing methamphetamine.  The indictment alleges that he distributed methamphetamine on April 12, April 13, and May 13, 2021. 

If convicted, Skramstad faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each charge. The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the West Central Drug Task Force, Dunn County Sheriff’s Office and Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor Kraus is handling the prosecution. 

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