MADISON, WIS. - John W. Vaudreuil, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced the unsealing of an indictment charging Michael Marks, 46, Juneau, Wis., William Marks, 44, Columbus, Wis., and Hope Kissinger, 34, Eau Claire, Wis., with drug crimes. The indictment was returned by a federal grand jury sitting in Madison yesterday.
Michael Marks was arrested yesterday in Beaver Dam, and Hope Kissinger was arrested last night in Eau Claire. They will make an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Madison today. William Marks is not in custody; his initial appearance date is not set.
The indictment charges Michael Marks with attempting to possess 50 grams of more of methamphetamine on Nov. 17, 2016. William Marks is charged with distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on November 6, 2016, and with distributing methamphetamine on November 9, 2016. Kissinger is charged with possessing methamphetamine on November 9, 2016, with the intent to distribute it, and with distributing methamphetamine on Nov. 10, 2016.
Michael Marks and William Marks are cousins.
If convicted, Michael Marks and William Marks each face a mandatory minimum of five years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison on the counts alleging 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. William Marks also faces 20 years on the November 9 distribution charge, and Kissinger face 20 years in federal prison on each of the charges against her.
The charges against the defendants are the result of an investigation conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation; Dodge County Sheriff’s Department; Beaver Dam Police Department; West Central Drug Task Force; Columbus Police Department; Columbia County Sheriff’s Department; and Waupun Police Department. The prosecution of this case has been assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman.
You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
