MADISON, WIS. -- Jeffrey M. Anderson, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Michael Marks, 47, of Beaver Dam, Wis., was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge James Peterson to 80 months in federal prison for attempting to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. This term of imprisonment is to be followed by four years of supervised release. Marks pleaded guilty to this charge on July 26, 2017.
On Nov. 10, 2016, an undercover officer purchased an ounce of methamphetamine from Hope Kissinger in Eau Claire, Wis. Kissinger told the officer that she received the ounce she sold him, plus an additional two ounces of methamphetamine, from her source the day before. Officers were aware that Kissinger traveled to Michael Marks’s business and William Marks’s home on November 9, 2016.
Kissinger was arrested on November 17 and admitted to law enforcement that Michael Marks and William Marks were her sources for methamphetamine. Kissinger told law enforcement she was supposed to meet with Michael Marks in order to purchase more methamphetamine.
Law enforcement arrested Michael Marks on his way to that meeting. While searching his truck, law enforcement found approximately three ounces of methamphetamine. Michael Marks was arrested and, during an interview with law enforcement, admitted he got 12 ounces of methamphetamine from William Marks on November 6, 2016. Michael Marks said he gave William Marks $9,000 to purchase methamphetamine and William Marks brought it back from California and delivered it to him. Michael Marks also told law enforcement officers that he had been selling methamphetamine for approximately one year.
Hope Kissinger was convicted of possessing with intent to deliver methamphetamine and was sentenced to 24 months in prison. William Marks was convicted of distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and was sentenced to 84 months in prison.
In sentencing Michael Marks to 80 months, Judge Peterson expressed his intent that Michael serve the same amount of time, that is 84 months, as William, but gave him 80 months to account for time he spent in state custody.
Michael Marks and Williams Marks are cousins.
The charge against Michael Marks was 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 the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth Altman and Chad Elgersma.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
