United States Drug Enforcement Administration

MADISON, Wis. – DEA Chicago Division Special Agent in Charge Robert J. Bell and United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin Scott C. Blader announced that Sylvia Erickson, 41, of Eau Claire, Wis., was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to seven and a half years in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine in the Eau Claire area. On Aug. 16, 2019, Erickson pleaded guilty to distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. 

Erickson was arrested on Feb. 17, 2019, following a series of methamphetamine sales to a confidential informant between Nov. 12, 2018, and Jan. 7, 2019. She also sold a firearm to an informant on Nov. 30, 2018. The defendant was on state probation for two previous drug convictions when she committed the offenses here and was prohibited from possessing firearms because of prior felony convictions. 

At the sentencing, Judge Conley noted that although Erickson had a horrific childhood, that fact had to be weighed against her almost two decades of committing crimes and the scope of her most recent drug trafficking activity. Judge Conley also noted that Erickson had squandered numerous opportunities for treatment and rehabilitation in the past. 

The charges against the defendant were the result of an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the West Central Drug Task Force and Wisconsin Department of Justice – Division of Criminal Investigation. The United States also recognizes the assistance of the Eau Claire County District Attorney’s Office. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Meredith Duchemin. 

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