La Crosse Man Sentenced to 84 Months for Bringing Over 2 Pounds of Methamphetamine Into State for Sale

MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Joshua R. Wittenberg, 40, La Crosse, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 84 months in prison for possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute.  This prison term will be followed by a 5-year term of supervised release.  Wittenberg pleaded guilty to the charge on April 11, 2023.

On November 7, 2023, law enforcement officers received a tip that Wittenberg was bringing a large amount of methamphetamine into La Crosse from Minnesota.  Officers set up surveillance outside of Wittenberg’s apartment.  Once Wittenberg arrived, a canine officer alerted to his truck.  Officers then searched the truck and found over two pounds of methamphetamine. 

Wittenberg was arrested and, when interviewed, he admitted that he had brought the methamphetamine to La Crosse to sell it.  At the time of this offense, Wittenberg was on supervision for a prior drug conviction.

At sentencing, Judge Peterson noted Wittenberg’s crime was very serious and that the quantity of methamphetamine involved in this case harms the community by breeding violence and causing other collateral damage.  Judge Peterson also noted that Wittenberg’s criminal history showed a pattern of drug dealing, with this most recent offense presenting an escalation in amount.

The charge against Wittenberg was the result of an investigation conducted by the La Crosse Police Department and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Anita Marie Boor prosecuted this case.