A Fitchburg man has been sentenced to seven years in federal prison for his role in a drug trafficking operation. David Junius, 47, received the sentence from Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson following his guilty plea in December last year to possession of 500 or more grams of cocaine intended for distribution.
The case originated from an investigation by agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The agencies began looking into a significant cocaine and methamphetamine trafficking network that was active in Portage, Madison, and La Crosse in late 2022. Phone communications intercepted in April 2023 led to Junius's involvement being uncovered. He was observed delivering 4 kilograms of cocaine to others, and a subsequent search of a storage unit he rented in Madison revealed nearly 1½ kilograms of cocaine and $20,000 in cash.
During sentencing, Judge Peterson highlighted Junius's significant criminal record, which includes nine previous convictions for drug-related offenses. The judge noted Junius's substantial role in the trafficking operation, including storing drugs and cash and making deliveries. Judge Peterson also expressed his concern about the impact of large-scale drug trafficking on criminal activity and community violence.
Junius's co-defendant, Angel Flores, has similarly pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges, with sentencing scheduled for early April.
The conviction stems from a joint investigation by several law enforcement agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, the FBI, Wisconsin's Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, the Dane County Narcotics Task Force, and the Madison Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert Anderson and William M. Levins prosecuted the case.
The Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a coalition of agencies engaged in long-term investigations into drug trafficking, both conducted and supported this investigation.
