Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced on May 7 that a federal grand jury has indicted eighteen individuals on charges related to drug trafficking organizations operating out of apartments owned by Samuel P. Stair through his S2 Real Estate business.
The indictment alleges that Stair, who owns and manages forty-three limited liability companies, rented properties to individuals involved in storing and distributing controlled substances such as cocaine and fentanyl. The charges against Stair include maintaining a drug house, conspiracy to maintain a drug house, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and money laundering conspiracy. Prosecutors allege that "Stair used the air of legitimacy created by his business to conceal the nature of his criminal conduct and to facilitate drug trafficking and money laundering." The indictment seeks forfeiture of his interests in multiple property-holding companies, specific real estate assets, and over $700,000 seized from his home and bank accounts.
Seventeen additional defendants are charged alongside Stair with participating in conspiracies involving the distribution primarily of cocaine and fentanyl as well as maintaining a drug house. Several are also accused of possessing firearms in furtherance of these crimes. Law enforcement executed coordinated search warrants at fourteen locations across Chicago and Milwaukee on April 22; earlier searches targeted other properties owned by Stair. Authorities report seizing kilogram quantities of fentanyl along with cocaine base, methamphetamine, more than twenty-two firearms, over $270,000 in cash, more than $500,000 in securities, and three vehicles.
Sixteen defendants face mandatory minimum sentences ranging from ten years up to life if convicted for distributing large amounts of fentanyl or cocaine mixtures. Some face additional counts carrying five-year minimums up to forty years for separate distribution offenses. Six are charged with firearm possession during drug trafficking—carrying mandatory consecutive five-year terms—and two face thirty-year minimums for machinegun possession during such crimes.
This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative established under Executive Order 14159: Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The task force coordinates efforts among federal agencies—including Homeland Security Investigations—and local law enforcement partners such as the West Allis Police Department and Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation.
The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin serves as a federal prosecutorial entity working alongside various law enforcement partners to enhance community safety across Eastern Wisconsin through public service efforts; it manages offices in Milwaukee and Green Bay according to the official website.
Authorities remind that an indictment is only an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
