Timothy M. O’Shea, the United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, has announced the sentencing of Jerry Tate, a 52-year-old resident of Beloit, Wisconsin. Tate was sentenced to five and a half years in federal prison by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson for distributing fentanyl and possessing more than 50 grams of fentanyl and methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Tate had entered a guilty plea to these charges on October 28, 2024.
Between September 2022 and May 2023, Tate made trips to La Crosse County, Wisconsin, where he stayed at various hotels for extended periods. During this time, he sold methamphetamine and fentanyl to a confidential informant through five controlled purchases totaling over 33 grams of fentanyl and more than 13 grams of methamphetamine. On May 5, 2023, law enforcement arrested Tate at a hotel room in Onalaska, Wisconsin. A search revealed over 100 grams of fentanyl and methamphetamine along with drug distribution paraphernalia and more than $1,500 in cash.
Judge Peterson determined that a significant sentence was necessary due to the prolonged nature of Tate's activities involving fentanyl trafficking and its well-known dangers. He remarked that the volume involved exceeded personal use levels and highlighted Tate's criminal history as indicative of a likelihood to reoffend.
The investigation leading to these charges was carried out by the La Crosse Police Department along with Campbell and Onalaska Police Departments as well as the La Crosse County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Ayala handled the prosecution.