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Press Release

La Crosse County Man Sentenced to 5 Years for Trafficking Methamphetamine

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Wisconsin

MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Alfredo Almanza, 43, La Crosse, Wisconsin, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 5 years in federal prison for possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine for distribution and maintaining a drug trafficking place. Almanza pleaded guilty to these charges on October 31, 2023.

Law enforcement began investigating Almanza for drug trafficking after receiving complaints from citizens that he was selling methamphetamine out of his home in La Crosse County. On March 15, 2023, law enforcement officers followed a known drug trafficker as he drove to the alley behind Almanza’s home, then exit his vehicle and return a short time later. Law enforcement stopped and searched the vehicle as it left Almanza’s house and found 95 grams of methamphetamine. GPS records indicated that this drug trafficker had been at Almanza’s residence four other times in the month of March.

On March 22, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Almanza’s home. They found approximately 284 grams of methamphetamine along with drug trafficking paraphernalia. An examination of Almanza’s cell phone messages showed communications involving the sale of methamphetamine between Almanza and other individuals.

At sentencing, Judge Conley noted that, despite a prior conviction for methamphetamine distribution, Almanza continued to sell methamphetamine, which endangered others. In ordering this sentence, Judge Conley further noted that this prison term would be longer that any previous sentence Almanza had served and encouraged him to use the time productively, including by engaging in available drug treatment programs.

The charges against Almanza were the result of an investigation conducted by the La Crosse and Tomah Police Departments and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathryn Ginsberg and Colleen Lennon prosecuted this case. 

Updated February 7, 2024

Topic
Drug Trafficking