Press Release
Woman Sentenced to Prison for Trafficking Synthetic Cannabinoids on Menominee Indian Reservation
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Wisconsin
Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on December 27, 2017, Sheila Madosh (age: 53), a woman who was involved in the trafficking of synthetic cannabinoids on the Menominee Indian Reservation, received a sentence of 24 months in prison and 36 months of supervised release. The sentence was imposed by Chief United States District Judge William C. Griesbach, and followed a September 2017 guilty plea to a charge of Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance Analogue in violation of Title 21, Untied States Code, Sections 841 and 813.
The investigation revealed that the defendant obtained and sold synthetic cannabinoids from her residence in Neopit, which is on the Menominee Indian Reservation. Abuse of synthetic cannabinoids on the Menominee Indian Reservation was a public health crisis during the same period of time, with numerous calls for medical service to assist users who had adverse reactions to synthetic drugs like those distributed by the defendant. Examples of symptoms suffered from those who abused the substances included seizures, extremely high blood pressure, high body temperature, catatonia, and disorientation.
In sentencing the defendant, Chief Judge Griesbach noted the serious nature of the offense, which involved the sale of a “poison” that caused great harm to the Menominee Indian community. Chief Judge Griesbach indicated his intent to deter the defendant and anyone else from preying on the weaknesses of others in the community. Chief Judge Griesbach further noted Madosh’s motive for selling synthetic cannabinoids, which originated not out of a desire to feed an addiction but instead to make a profit at the expense of the health of her fellow tribal members.
The case was investigated by the Menominee Tribal Police Department, the Wisconsin Department of Justice – Division of Criminal Investigation (Native American Drug and Gang Initiative), the Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Maier.
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For Additional Information Contact:
Public Information Officer Elizabeth Makowski 414-297-1700
Updated January 2, 2018
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