MADISON, Wis. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced today a federal grand jury in the Western District, sitting in Madison, returned the following indictments.
Two Vernon County residents charged with
drug crimes involving methamphetamine and fentanyl
Stanley J. Holte, 33, and Julia A. Lloyd, 40, both of Coon Valley, Wisconsin, are
charged with conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. The indictment
alleges that the amount of methamphetamine involved in the conspiracy is 500 grams or
more. The indictment further alleges that the conspiracy operated from February
through June 2023.
Holte and LLoyd were originally arrested on June 12 following a multi-agency drug investigation. A third person, Damien Reinsvold, was also taken to Vernon County Jail as a part of that investigation on charges related to possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, but was not included in the federal indictment. You can read our previous story about those arrests here.
Holte and Lloyd also are charged with maintaining a drug house for the purpose
of distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl, specifically a place in Coon Valley. The
indictment also charges that on June 12, 2023, Holte and Lloyd possessed 500 grams or
more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. The indictment also seeks the forfeiture of $58,104 in U.S. currency alleged to be proceeds of the drug conspiracy.
If convicted, Holte and Lloyd face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years
and a maximum of life in federal prison on the two charges alleging 500 grams or more
of methamphetamine. The charge of maintaining a drug house has a maximum penalty
of 20 years in federal prison. The charges against Holte and Lloyd are the result of an
investigation by the Vernon and La Crosse County Sheriffs’ Offices, the Drug
Enforcement Administration, and the Campbell, La Crosse, and Onalaska Police
Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Anderson is handling the prosecution.
La Crosse Man Charged with Possessing
La Crosse man indicted for methamphetamine distribution and gun crimes
Benjamin W. Thoreson, 42, La Crosse, Wisconsin, is charged with possessing
methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possessing a loaded firearm in furtherance
of that drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of firearms and
ammunition. The indictment alleges that on August 2, 2023, Thoreson possessed
methamphetamine for distribution and two loaded handguns.
If convicted, Thoreson faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on
the methamphetamine charge and a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years and a
maximum of life on the charge of possessing a firearm in furtherance of that drug
trafficking crime. Federal law requires that any penalty imposed for the charge of
possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime be served consecutive to
any other sentence imposed. The charge of being a felon in possession of firearms and
ammunition has a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison.
The charges against Thoreson are the result of an investigation by the La Crosse Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan is handling the prosecution.
La Crosse man charged with illegally possessing firearm
Briante C. Banks, 30, La Crosse, Wisconsin, is charged with being a felon in
possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that on May 2, 2023, he possessed a
loaded 9mm handgun.
If convicted, Banks faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. The
charge against him is the result of an investigation by the La Crosse Police Department,
La Crosse County Sheriff’s Office, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and
Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan is handling the prosecution.
Eau Claire man charged with gun crime
Nathaniel R. Larson, 25, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, is charged with being a felon in
possession of a firearm and ammunition. The indictment alleges that on July 11, 2023,
Larson possessed a loaded 9mm handgun.
If convicted, Larson faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. The
charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Eau Claire Police Department,
West Central Drug Task Force, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and
Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan is handling the prosecution.
The Thoreson, Banks, & Larson indictments have been brought as part of Project
Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Department’s program to reduce violent
crime. The PSN approach emphasizes coordination between state and federal
prosecutors and all levels of law enforcement to address gun crime, especially felons
illegally possessing firearms and ammunition and violent and drug crimes that involve
the use of firearms.
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