Marcus Stokes, a 45-year-old resident of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for possession of over 40 grams of fentanyl with the intent to distribute. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley and will be followed by five years of supervised release. Stokes entered a guilty plea on December 18, 2024.
The incident leading to his arrest occurred on May 15, 2024, when law enforcement stopped Stokes' vehicle in Monroe County, Wisconsin. A search revealed a plastic bag under the driver's seat containing three separate bags with over 90 grams of fentanyl each. Stokes had reportedly picked up the drugs in Milwaukee and was en route to La Crosse for delivery.
During sentencing, Judge Conley took into account Stokes' extensive criminal history related to drug distribution but also noted his recent employment as a positive sign. Judge Conley remarked that while Stokes has the potential for rehabilitation, further involvement in drug trafficking could result in much harsher penalties.
The case against Stokes was built through an investigation conducted by the Monroe County Sheriff's Office and the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Colleen Lennon led the prosecution.
