MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Antoine Hardie, 37, La Crosse, Wisconsin, was sentenced yesterday by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 7 ½ years in federal prison for distributing fentanyl. On May 17, 2022, Hardie pleaded guilty to possessing 40 or more grams of fentanyl with intent to distribute.

Hardie sold fentanyl to a confidential informant in La Crosse on five occasions between June 24, 2021 and September 17, 2021. A subsequent search of a storage shed associated with Hardie revealed 296 grams of fentanyl hidden in a child’s suitcase.

In selecting a 7 ½ year sentence, Judge Peterson noted the dangers of fentanyl, Hardie’s violent criminal history, and the need to protect the public.  Hardie’s criminal history includes convictions for battery, witness intimidation, and burglary.  In one case, he threatened to kill a victim and her family. 

The charge against Hardie was the result of an investigation conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, La Crosse Police Department, and Holmen Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meredith Duchemin prosecuted this case.