Michael Paul Lacasse and Venetia Dawn Trischan, both from Caldwell, Idaho, have received federal prison sentences for their involvement in a drug distribution conspiracy. Lacasse, 48, was sentenced to 133 months, while Trischan, 47, received a 96-month sentence.
The sentencing comes after an investigation that began in December 2023. Law enforcement uncovered that Lacasse and Trischan were distributing methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine. Lacasse reportedly provided a "menu" of drugs on a 3x5 card to his customers and traveled to California and Washington to obtain fentanyl. He concealed the drugs within his truck's engine during transportation. Trischan handled the weighing, packaging, and transaction records of the drugs.
A law enforcement search on January 11, 2023, at their shared home and storage unit led to significant discoveries. Officers found five firearms, a homemade suppressor attachment, ammunition, a detailed drug ledger, and approximately $21,000 in cash at their residence. Further searches of the storage unit revealed six firearms, more ammunition, and pounds of illegal drugs, including methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, ketamine, MDMA, and mushrooms. The couple intended to distribute significant quantities of these substances: 2,919.88 grams of methamphetamine, 1,054.76 grams of heroin, and 2,499.48 grams of cocaine.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Morse and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kane Venecia. Acting U.S. Attorney Justin Whatcott praised the substantial investigative efforts made by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Meridian Police Department. This prosecution was made possible by a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney funded by the Oregon-Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program, a counterdrug grant initiative of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP).
The case forms part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative committed to reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement at all levels and local communities. Established principles of PSN include fostering trust in communities, supporting violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring their impact. Further information on PSN is available at Justice.gov/PSN.