MADISON, WI. -- Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Justin Baumgardt, 37, formerly of Waupaca, Wisconsin was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 9 years in federal prison for possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. This prison term will be followed by 5 years of supervised release. Baumgardt pleaded guilty to these charges on June 29, 2022.
On May 26, 2021, Baumgardt traveled to Barron County, Wisconsin after agreeing to sell three ounces of methamphetamine to a confidential informant. When Baumgardt arrived at the location of the anticipated drug deal, law enforcement officers made contact with him and searched his car. Inside the car, officers found bags containing a total of 116 grams of methamphetamine.
At the time he was arrested, Baumgardt was on active state extended supervision for robbery with use of force and was also out on bond for an open state drug trafficking case from 2019.
Baumgardt was later interviewed by law enforcement officers. He admitted to trafficking methamphetamine and estimated distributing approximately 40 pounds of methamphetamine in Wisconsin.
At sentencing, Chief Judge Peterson noted Baumgardt’s methamphetamine dealing was very destructive to the community. Chief Judge Peterson highlighted Baumgardt’s prior criminal history, which included acts of violence and poor performance while on supervision.
The charge against Justin Baumgardt was the result of an investigation conducted by the Barron, Rusk, and Washburn County Sheriffs’ Offices and the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary J. Corey and Steven P. Anderson prosecuted the case.
Last Update: Oct 07, 2022 11:33 am CDT
