Azjuan Meriwether, a 25-year-old from Milwaukee, received a 15-year federal prison sentence on April 11, 2025, as announced by Richard G. Frohling, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. The conviction was for his involvement in drug and firearm offenses.
According to court records, Meriwether led an armed drug trafficking organization that distributed drugs including fentanyl, para-fluorofentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine. He also engaged in illegal firearms trafficking, selling firearms and machinegun-conversion devices, known as "switches," and "ghost guns," which are privately manufactured firearms without serial numbers.
Upon his arrest in Indiana, Meriwether led a high-speed chase, resulting in the recovery of drugs from his vehicle. The substances found included para-fluorofentanyl combined with heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
Acting U.S. Attorney Frohling stated that Meriwether's actions posed multiple dangers to the community, citing the distribution of lethal substances and sale of firearms and conversion devices. He highlighted the effective collaboration of federal and local agencies in the investigation.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) Chicago Field Division Special Agent-in-Charge Christopher Amon emphasized the dual threat Meriwether posed through possession and sale of narcotics and conversion devices. He mentioned the use of the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) and partnerships in the investigative success.
DEA Milwaukee District Office Assistant Special Agent in Charge John G. McGarry recognized the relentless pursuit of traffickers by the DEA and the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department, underscoring their commitment to dismantle violent drug organizations.
Captain Tony Kasta of the Waukesha County Drug Task Force noted the investigation's local origin and the importance of partnerships with federal agencies in dismantling the criminal organization.
The investigation was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) initiative, which uses a collaborative multi-agency approach to target significant criminal networks. The involved agencies included ATF and DEA, along with the Waukesha County Drug Task Force and others, supported by the North Central HIDTA.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Katherine Halopka-Ivery and Patricia Daugherty. The task involved multiple law enforcement agencies across various jurisdictions.
