Neenah Resident Sentenced to 15 Years of Imprisonment for Methamphetamine and Firearm Possession

Matthew D. Krueger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on June 21, 2019, Tou W. Vang, a/k/a “Meng Vang” (age: 38), of Neenah, Wisconsin, was sentenced for violating Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c) for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a), for possessing with the intent to distribute over 50 grams of pure methamphetamine.

According to court documents, on December 20, 2018, Appleton Police initiated a traffic stop on Vang’s minivan.  The police pursued Vang to a residence off Wisconsin Avenue in Appleton, where they observed him attempt to hide a 9 mm handgun in the snow behind the residence.  While speaking with the officers, Vang informed them that he was “high as a kite” and there was “two pounds of marijuana in the van.”  Officers searched the vehicle and in addition to the marijuana, located approximately 100 grams of methamphetamine, $4,001 in cash, digital scales for weighing drugs prior to distribution, and firearm ammunition. A subsequent search of Vang’s residence revealed additional drug paraphernalia, a drug distribution ledger, and several homemade firearm silencers. 

In pronouncing sentence, Chief U.S. District Judge William C. Griesbach noted the serious nature of Vang’s offense and the need to send a strong message of deterrence to Vang and anyone else who might attempt to distribute drugs in Northeast Wisconsin.  The judge also noted his concern over Vang’s construction of firearm silencers.  The judge ordered Vang to serve 10 years for possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and an additional 5 years for possessing a firearm while involved in drug trafficking.  Upon his release from federal prison, Vang will serve 5 years on supervised release.           

The case was investigated by the Appleton Police Department and the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).  It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.

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