Stevens Point Man Sixth to be Sentenced in Heroin Conspiracy
Stevens Point man to serve 10 years for heroin distribution
City Times Staff
A Stevens Point man has been sentenced for his part in a heroin distribution ring which was busted by police last year.
Gregory D. Richardson, 26, was sentenced on Monday by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 120 months in federal prison for distributing heroin. Richardson pleaded guilty to this offense on January 15.
Richardson is the sixth defendant sentenced by Conley in connection with an investigation by the Central Wisconsin Drug Task Force and Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation.
Plover Police Capt. Gary Widder had some daunting words for drug pushers in the area.
“If folks are willing to play and deal [drugs] and they don’t want to get caught, then really the only two options as I see it, is either move or stop dealing,” Widder said in an email. “I’m confident our investigators in the Central Wisconsin Drug Task Force will eventually catch up with you. [It’s] just a matter of time.”
After pleading guilty, Tiffany A. Bell, 25 of Stevens Point, was sentenced in March to 138 months in federal prison for distributing heroin. On Jan. 14, Cody Thompson was sentenced to 30 months for distributing heroin; on Jan. 21, Megan Pray Genett was sentenced to 24 months for distributing heroin; on Feb. 2, Marguerite Tompkins was sentenced to 60 months for conspiring to distribute heroin; and on March 8, Kristy Dietel was sentenced to 36 months for conspiring to distribute heroin.
Two other defendants — Hannah Hovick and Gregory Richardson — have pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to related heroin trafficking offenses and are awaiting sentencing.
A related Jan. 27 indictment charges four Milwaukee men—Hurley C. Jackson, 33; Terrance D. Jackson, 29; Charles D. Hall, 31; and DeWight S. Williams, 37—with conspiring to distribute more than 1,000 grams of heroin. Each is charged with distributing heroin or possessing heroin with the intent to distribute. Their trial is scheduled for July 25.
“Wisconsin, along with the rest of the nation, does not flinch from facing the opiate public health crisis,” said John Vaudreuil, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin. “Many in the medical profession, in the criminal justice system and in local communities, have crucial roles to play in addressing this crisis. That response will also include vigorous prosecution of those – like Bell – who sell drugs for profit to those suffering from addiction.”
The prosecution of these cases is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy M. O’Shea.