Joshua L. Lake, a 32-year-old resident of Stratford, Wisconsin, has been sentenced to 11 years in federal prison for leading a methamphetamine trafficking organization. U.S. District Judge William M. Conley delivered the sentence, which includes five years of supervised release following the prison term. Lake pleaded guilty on February 26, 2025, to charges of conspiring to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine and possessing a firearm as a felon.
The investigation began in early 2024 when the Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force looked into a group led by Lake that was distributing large amounts of methamphetamine and cocaine in Marathon County. On February 26, 2024, Lake sold 118 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant at his residence in Stratford. Additional controlled purchases were made by co-defendants in March and April of that year.
On April 15, 2024, officers executed a search warrant at Lake's home and discovered approximately two kilograms of methamphetamine, one kilogram of cocaine, two rifles, over $25,000 in cash, drug ledgers, and other paraphernalia related to drug trafficking.
Investigations revealed that between January 22 and April 15, 2024, Lake distributed about 23 kilograms of methamphetamine and six kilograms of cocaine. He also delivered a firearm to a drug cartel contact in exchange for drugs—a transaction prohibited due to his prior felony convictions.
Judge Conley characterized Lake's actions as "egregious," noting the "stunning" quantity of nearly pure methamphetamine found at his residence.
Three others involved with this drug trafficking organization have been charged: Mercadys Perkins received six years for conspiracy to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine; Dustin Brunker received seven years for similar charges; Jessica Colby was sentenced to two-and-a-half years for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force with assistance from various state and local law enforcement agencies including the ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven P. Anderson under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime through collaboration between federal and state prosecutors and law enforcement agencies.
