Minong Man Sentenced to 78 Months for Distributing Methamphetamine

MADISON, WIS. -- Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Rodney Kersten, 60, Minong, Wisconsin, was sentenced on Friday, December 7, by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 78 months in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine.  Kersten pleaded guilty to this charge on September 25, 2018.

Kersten was arrested after three controlled purchases of methamphetamine coordinated by law enforcement.  Judge Peterson found that Kersten was responsible for distributing 276 grams of methamphetamine.  Judge Peterson noted that the sentence was necessary because Kersten was a meaningful part of a system of drug dealing that is damaging the community.

The charge against Kersten was the result of an investigation conducted by the Washburn County Sheriff’s Department, the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Sawyer County Sheriff’s Department.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Darren Halverson.