Three Wisconsin Residents Charged with Drug Crimes
MADISON, Wis. – John G. McGarry, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration-Wisconsin, and U.S. Attorney Timothy M. O'Shea of the Western District of Wisconsin announced that three Marathon County residents have been charged with methamphetamine trafficking. Victor Pennington, 26, and Lucas Ellwart, 28, both of Wausau, Wisconsin, are charged with conspiring to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. The indictment alleges that the conspiracy operated from June through September 2021.
The indictment also charges them with distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on June 24, 2021 and July 14, 2021, and with possessing 500 grams or more of methamphetamine for distribution on Sept. 14, 2021. In addition, Pennington is charged with distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on Aug. 2, 2021.
Sarah Waggoner, 41, Norrie, Wisconsin, is charged with 3 counts of distributing methamphetamine and 1 count of possessing with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. The indictment alleges that Waggoner distributed methamphetamine on April 9, May 10 and Aug. 12, 2021, and that the May 10 distribution involved 50 grams or more of the drug. The indictment alleges that she possessed 500 grams or more of methamphetamine for distribution on Sept. 2, 2021.
If convicted, Pennington, Ellwart and Waggoner face a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years and a maximum of life in federal prison on the counts alleging 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, and a mandatory minimum of five years and a maximum of 40 years on the counts alleging 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Waggoner faces a maximum of 20 years on the other two distribution counts.
The charges against them are the result of an investigation by the Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force, Wausau Police Department, Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, and the DEA. Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor Kraus is handling the prosecution.
