Madison, Wis. - John W. Vaudreuil, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Antonio Barerra-Penaloza, 37, Mexico, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Barbara B. Crabb to 51 months in prison for possessing of cocaine with intent to distribute it. Barerra-Penaloza pleaded guilty to this charge on August 12, 2011.

On November 14, 2007, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Barerra-Penaloza's residence in Watertown, Wis., where they recovered cocaine, a scale, baggies and $19,000 in United States currency. Barerra-Penaloza was not immediately charged in Jefferson County and fled to his native country of Mexico. A federal grand jury sitting in Madison returned a sealed indictment in January 2009. Barerra-Penaloza was extradited to Wisconsin after being arrested in Texas on March 8, 2011.

The charges against Barerra-Penaloza were the result of an investigation conducted by the Jefferson County Drug Task Force; Watertown Police Department; Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation; and Drug Enforcement Administration. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul W. Connell.

 

 

Return to Top