Eau Claire Woman Sentenced for Distributing Methamphetamine

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Sylvia Erickson, 41, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 7 ½ years in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine in the Eau Claire, Wisconsin area.  On August 16, 2019, Erickson pleaded guilty to distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. 

Erickson was arrested on February 17, 2019, following a series of methamphetamine sales to a confidential informant between November 12, 2018 and January 7, 2019.  She also sold a firearm to an informant on November 30, 2018.  The defendant was on state probation for two previous drug convictions when she committed the offenses here and was prohibited from possessing firearms because of prior felony convictions. 

At the sentencing, Judge Conley noted that although Erickson had a horrific childhood, that fact had to be weighed against her almost two decades of committing crimes and the scope of her most recent drug trafficking activity.  Judge Conley also noted that Erickson had squandered numerous opportunities for treatment and rehabilitation in the past. 

The charges against the defendant were the result of an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the West Central Drug Task Force, and Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation.  The United States also recognizes the assistance of the Eau Claire County District Attorney’s Office.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Meredith Duchemin.