Madison, Wisconsin -- John W. Vaudreuil, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Scott Schwanke, 30, Rochester, Minn., was sentenced on Tuesday, January 10, by U.S. District Judge Barbara B. Crabb to 50 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute marijuana. This prison term will be served without parole and will be followed by four years of supervised release. Schwanke pleaded guilty to this charge on September 8, 2011.

Schwanke was a driver for Robert Michener, who was the main source for a large amount of marijuana that was distributed in Wisconsin. Michener was sentenced to 151 months in prison. Other members of the conspiracy included Corey Irvin-Anderson, 26, Minneapolis; Graham Plumhoff, 26, Minneapolis; and Charles Schmitt, 25, La Crosse, Wis. Based on their participation in the conspiracy, Schmitt and Plumhoff were sentenced to 30 months in prison and Irvin-Anderson was sentenced to 63 months in prison.

Michener supplied a large quantity of marijuana to sources in Milwaukee. Schwanke assisted in the transportation of money and marijuana between Milwaukee and Minneapolis. One of Michener's distributors in Milwaukee made more than $120,000 selling marijuana provided to him by Michener and this money has been seized by the government.

Prior to prosecution, Schwanke fled to the Philippines, where he stayed for approximately four years. He was arrested there on April 17, 2011, and brought to Madison for prosecution.

The charges against these defendants were the result of an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Dane County Narcotics and Gang Task Force, Jackson County Sheriff's Department, and La Crosse Police Department. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman.

 

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