MADISON, WIS. -- A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin, sitting in Madison, returned the following indictments today. You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
La Crosse Man Charged with Drug & Gun Crimes
Joshua Kletzke, 37, La Crosse, Wisconsin, is charged with possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possessing a firearm in furtherance of that drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that on June 9, 2020, he possessed 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it and also possessed a loaded.357 Magnum pistol.
If convicted, Kletzke faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum penalty of 40 years in federal prison on the methamphetamine charge. The charge of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years; federal law requires that any sentence imposed for this charge be served consecutive to any sentence imposed on any other criminal charge. The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm has a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.
The charges against Kletzke are the result of an investigation by the La Crosse Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow is handling the prosecution.
La Crosse Woman Charged with Possessing Methamphetamine for Distribution
Sandy Xiong, 30, La Crosse, Wisconsin, is charged with two counts of possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it. The indictment alleges that she possessed the methamphetamine on Feb. 10, 2020.
If convicted, Xiong faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison on each count. The charges against her are the result of an investigation by the West Central Metropolitan Enforcement Group; La Crosse, Prairie du Chien, and Campbell Police Departments; and the Vernon and Grant County Sheriffs’ Offices. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Anderson is handling the prosecution.
Wausau Man Charged with Tax Evasion
Leonard Kersten, 55, Wausau, Wisconsin, is charged with three counts of tax evasion. The indictment alleges that Kersten attempted to evade income tax owed by him and his spouse by filing false tax returns which substantially understated his gross income for calendar years 2014, 2015, and 2016.
The indictment alleges that Kersten used his position as a bookkeeper and office manager for a lumber company in Birnamwood, Wisconsin to write checks from the company’s checking account to himself and his spouse, and to create false entries in the company’s general ledger. The indictment alleges that between January 2007 and September 2017, Kersten wrote and concealed approximately $1.7 million in checks, and that he failed to report any of the income from these checks.
If convicted, Kersten faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison on each count. The charges against him are the result of an investigation by IRS Criminal Investigation, with assistance from the Office of the U.S. Bankruptcy Trustee. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meredith P. Duchemin is handling the prosecution.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
