Marcus Stokes, a 45-year-old resident of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for possessing over 40 grams of fentanyl with the intent to distribute. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley and will be followed by five years of supervised release. Stokes had pleaded guilty to the charge on December 18, 2024.
The incident leading to his arrest occurred on May 15, 2024, when law enforcement officers stopped Stokes' vehicle in Monroe County, Wisconsin. A search revealed a plastic bag under the driver’s seat containing three separate bags with over 90 grams of fentanyl each. Authorities stated that Stokes had picked up the drugs in Milwaukee and was en route to deliver them to La Crosse.
During sentencing, Judge Conley took into account Stokes' extensive criminal history related to drug distribution but also noted his recent employment as a positive factor. "Stokes has the potential to turn his life around," said Judge Conley. However, he warned that any return to drug dealing could result in a much harsher penalty.
The investigation leading to these charges was conducted by the Monroe County Sheriff's Office and the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Colleen Lennon prosecuted the case.