MADISON, WIS. --Jeffrey M. Anderson, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Karl L. McKenzie, Sr., 47, Anoka, Minn., was found guilty yesterday of distributing 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. The jury reached its verdict after one hour of deliberation following a two-day trial in federal court in Madison.
The evidence presented at trial showed that McKenzie was a supplier of methamphetamine to dealers in northwest Wisconsin. He was arrested in Ashland, Wis., on February 5, 2017, after he provided over 877 grams, or almost two pounds, of methamphetamine to an individual there. An analysis of the methamphetamine found it to be 98% pure. McKenzie was indicted by a federal grand jury for this distribution of methamphetamine on February 15.
U.S. District Judge James Peterson scheduled sentencing for Aug. 31, 2017. McKenzie faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years and a maximum penalty of life in federal prison.
The charge against McKenzie is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration; Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation; Ashland County Sheriff’s Department; and Ashland Police Department. The prosecution of the case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Corey Stephan and Laura Przybylinski Finn.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
