United States Drug Enforcement Administration

MADISON, Wis. – John G. McGarry, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration-Wisconsin, and Timothy M. O’Shea, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Andre L. McClinton, 50, of Madison, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 108 months in federal prison, followed by 8 years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute cocaine and being a felon in possession of firearms. 

In addition, Judge Peterson entered a money judgment against McClinton in the amount of $313,100. McClinton also agreed to forfeit $116,890 in cash, property located in Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, three vehicles, and two firearms. McClinton pleaded guilty to the charges on Dec. 16, 2021.  

In 2020, federal and state law enforcement agencies started investigating several known cocaine traffickers in Dane County, Wisconsin. As part of this joint investigation, the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation obtained state-authorized wiretaps on two phones belonging to McClinton.

Over the course of several months, investigators intercepted numerous calls and text messages between McClinton and co-defendant Michael C. Henderson. Most of these conversations centered on Henderson supplying cocaine to McClinton, negotiating lower costs from a source-of-supply, improving the quality of the cocaine, and recruiting additional customers in Dane County. The conspiracy took place from September through December 2020, and resulted in McClinton purchasing approximately nine kilograms of cocaine from Henderson.

While searching two homes belonging to McClinton, investigators found cocaine packaged for distribution, a loaded .45 caliber Glock handgun, .45 caliber ammunition and $16,580 in cash. Agents also searched three of McClinton’s vehicles and determined they had sophisticated traps installed in the passenger compartments. Inside the vehicles and traps, agents found seven and a half pounds of marijuana, a loaded .38 caliber Smith & Wesson revolver, and $100,310 in cash. 

Special agents and financial analysts from the Federal Bureau of Investigation analyzed McClinton’s bank statements, business records, and financial transactions. As a result of this review, the FBI found evidence that McClinton used drug proceeds to purchase and improve his personal residence, which he sold after being indicted. McClinton used part of the proceeds from the sale of his house to purchase property located in Mount Horeb.  McClinton commingled the remaining proceeds into bank accounts and property belonging to an uninvolved third party.

At sentencing, Judge Peterson noted that McClinton made a career out of trafficking drugs.  Judge Peterson specifically highlighted McClinton’s level of sophistication, the fact he armed himself, and the assets that McClinton acquired.

On Dec. 9, 2021, Judge Peterson sentenced Henderson to 84 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Judge Peterson also ordered Henderson to forfeit $22,763 in cash.

The charges against McClinton were the result of an investigation conducted by DCI, the Dane County Narcotics Task Force, the DEA, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the FBI.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Chadwick M. Elgersma prosecuted this case.