MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Edward Bartlett, 30, Madison, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to six years in federal prison for possessing four kilograms of cocaine with the intent to distribute. Bartlett pleaded guilty to this charge on March 7, 2019, and agreed to forfeit his rights to a 2014 Maserati.
On April 17, 2018, Madison police officers observed Bartlett driving a Maserati near an apartment complex in Fitchburg, Wisconsin. Based on their investigation, the Madison police officers believed that the Maserati likely contained a large amount of cocaine. As they approached the Maserati, Bartlett attempted to drive out of a parking lot but crashed into a Madison police car with two officers inside. Bartlett then fled on foot but was arrested after a brief chase. The cocaine was found in the Maserati.
In imposing the sentence, Judge Conley noted that Bartlett was part of a large-scale drug trafficking ring and recently had purchased the Maserati using cash. Judge Conley also noted that Bartlett had a prior felony conviction for cocaine trafficking.
The charge against Bartlett is the result of an investigation by the Dane County Narcotics Task Force, Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, and Drug Enforcement Administration. The prosecution of this case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron D. Wegner.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
