California Woman Sentenced To 5 Years In Prison For Distributing Meth

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that KRISTEN LASCHOBER, 49, formerly of Laguna Niguel, Calif., was sentenced yesterday by Senior U.S. District Judge Alfred V. Covello in Hartford to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for her role in a methamphetamine distribution ring.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Connecticut State Police’s Statewide Narcotics Task Force. The investigation, which included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of methamphetamine, physical surveillance an undercover officer, revealed that LASCHOBER and her boyfriend, Chad McCluskey, sent shipments of methamphetamine to Kevin Wallin of Waterbury for four years. After receiving the shipments, Wallin distributed the methamphetamine to other dealers as well as to his own customers.  Some of the shipments were sent on consignment with the understanding that Wallin would pay LASCHOBER and McCluskey with proceeds generated from his distribution of the drug.

McCLUSKEY and Laschober were arrested in Las Vegas, Nev., on January 10, 2013.  On April 23, 2013, LASCHOBER pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine.

Wallin was arrested on January 3, 2013.  On April 2, 2013, he pleaded guilty to the same charge.
In June of this year, McCluskey was sentenced to 65 months of imprisonment.  Wallin awaits sentencing.
This matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick Caruso and H. Gordon Hall.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov