Joshua L. Lake, a 32-year-old resident of Stratford, Wisconsin, has been sentenced to 11 years in federal prison for leading a methamphetamine trafficking organization. The sentencing was announced by Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin. U.S. District Judge William M. Conley handed down the sentence following Lake’s guilty plea on February 26, 2025, to charges of conspiring to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine and possessing a firearm as a felon. After serving his prison term, Lake will undergo five years of supervised release.
The investigation into Lake began in early 2024 when the Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force identified him as the leader of a group distributing large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine in Marathon County. On February 26, 2024, Lake sold 118 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant at his residence in Stratford. Further controlled purchases were conducted by co-defendants in March and April 2024.
A search warrant executed at Lake’s residence on April 15, 2024, uncovered approximately two kilograms of methamphetamine, one kilogram of cocaine, two rifles, over $25,000 in cash, drug ledgers, and other paraphernalia related to drug trafficking.
Investigations revealed that between January and April 2024, Lake distributed around 23 kilograms of methamphetamine and six kilograms of cocaine. He also delivered a firearm to a drug cartel contact in exchange for drugs despite being prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions.
Judge Conley described Lake’s activities involving drug trafficking and firearms as egregious during sentencing and remarked on the significant quantity of nearly pure methamphetamine found at his home.
Three others involved with the organization were also charged: Mercadys Perkins received six years for conspiracy to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine; Dustin Brunker was sentenced to seven years for similar charges; Jessica Colby received two-and-a-half years for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
The investigation was conducted by multiple agencies including the FBI’s Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force and ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force with assistance from local law enforcement agencies across Wisconsin. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven P. Anderson prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative by the U.S. Justice Department aimed at reducing violent crime through coordinated efforts between state and federal prosecutors along with various levels of law enforcement.
