Travis L. Ingram, a 38-year-old resident of Mosinee, Wisconsin, was sentenced on March 12 to 52 months in federal prison for distributing cocaine, maintaining a drug trafficking premises, and money laundering, according to Chadwick M. Elgersma, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin. Ingram pleaded guilty to these charges in December.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to address drug trafficking and related crimes in the region. Authorities say that during a two-year investigation, police informants purchased cocaine from Ingram multiple times. A search of his home led to the seizure of over a pound of cocaine, a scale, and other evidence linked to drug dealing.
Investigators also found that Ingram laundered more than $1 million in illegal drug proceeds over six years through bank accounts and casinos. At sentencing, U.S. District Judge William M. Conley said Ingram dealt significant amounts of cocaine in Marathon County and continued his activities despite having two prior convictions for similar offenses. Judge Conley also said it was disturbing that some drug transactions occurred in front of minors.
The investigation involved several agencies: the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force—which includes agents from the FBI, Wisconsin State Patrol, Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Marathon County Sheriff’s Office, Portage County Sheriff’s Office, Mountain Bay Police Department, Wausau Police Department—and the Wisconsin National Guard Counter Drug Program. The Marathon County District Attorney’s Office assisted with the investigation as well. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven P. Anderson prosecuted the case.
Federal prosecutions like this are part of Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative by the U.S. Department of Justice aimed at combating illegal immigration and eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime.
