Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Arminius D. Jones, a 49-year-old resident of Madison, Wisconsin, has been sentenced to 87 months in federal prison. Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson delivered the sentence for charges related to distributing fentanyl and possessing over 40 grams of fentanyl intended for distribution. Jones had pleaded guilty on March 21, 2025.
Between May 15 and July 1, 2024, Jones was involved in selling fentanyl pills to an undercover police officer in Madison on three separate occasions. A search conducted by police at his home on July 9, 2024, led to the discovery of approximately 7,000 fentanyl pills, money from sales to the undercover officer, over $2,000 in additional cash, digital scales, drug ledgers, a handgun with a loaded extended magazine, and multiple boxes of ammunition.
Judge Peterson noted that Jones’s level of drug dealing went beyond supporting a substance abuse habit and highlighted concerns about his potential return to crime due to gaps in his criminal history. The judge expressed concerns about the dangers associated with dealing fentanyl due to its addictive nature and overdose risks. He also pointed out that Jones’s possession of a gun indicated awareness of potential violence.
The investigation leading to these charges was conducted by the Dane County Narcotics Task Force, City of Madison Police Department, and the ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Ayala prosecuted the case.
