Illinois Man Sentenced to 5 Years for Trafficking Methamphetamine

MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Martell Mitchum, 36, Chicago, Illinois was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 5 years in federal prison for possessing over 50 grams of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.  The prison term will be followed by 4 years of supervised release.  Mitchum pleaded guilty to this charge on November 22, 2022.

On June 30, 2020, a Wisconsin State Patrol trooper located a vehicle that had crashed in a construction zone on Interstate 39/90 in Madison, Wisconsin.  Mitchum was identified as the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle.  A trooper searched the vehicle after smelling marijuana coming from Mitchum and from inside the vehicle.  The trooper found a loaded Glock 43X handgun, a bag of methamphetamine, and multiple baggies of marijuana in a safe on the front passenger seat; a loaded magazine on the steering column; body armor on the front passenger floorboard; and additional bags of methamphetamine and marijuana, digital scales, and three cases of 9mm ammunition were located elsewhere in the car.  In total, 106 grams of methamphetamine and almost 5 pounds of marijuana were seized.  Subsequent laboratory testing determined that Mitchum had marijuana in his system at the time of his arrest.

At sentencing, Judge Conley highlighted the dangerous nature of Mitchum’s conduct, which involved possessing a loaded firearm, body armor, and a large quantity of drugs all while driving under the influence of marijuana.

The charge against Mitchum was the result of an investigation conducted by the Wisconsin State Patrol.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven P. Anderson prosecuted this case.