Tomah Man Sentenced to 8 Years on Methamphetamine Charge

MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Bobby Ostrum, 37, Tomah, Wisconsin, was sentenced Friday, November 22, by U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to eight years in prison for possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute.  Ostrum pleaded guilty to this charge on August 22, 2019.

On November 16, 2018, law enforcement officers conducted a traffic stop of Ostrum’s vehicle and recovered approximately 120 grams of methamphetamine.  During the course of the investigation, officers determined that Ostrum was selling methamphetamine to lower level dealers for further distribution. At that time of his arrest, Ostrum was on supervision in both La Crosse and Monroe Counties for criminal conduct.

During sentencing, Judge Peterson described Ostrum as being part of a large system that exploits addiction in the community and pointed out that Ostrum has a history of committing crimes while on supervision. His lengthy criminal record includes convictions for substantial battery, possessing a firearm as a felon, possessing controlled substances, armed robbery, and delivering methamphetamine.

The charge against Ostrum was the result of an investigation conducted by the Sparta Police Department, Tomah Police Department, and the Monroe County Joint Investigative Task Force.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Schlipper.