Becky L. Peterson, 62, and Mark Moore, 64, Peeksville, Wisconsin, are charged with conspiring to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, according to U.S. Attorney Scott Blader of the Western District of Wisconsin.
The indictment alleges the conspiracy operated from August 2017 to June 27, 2018. Peterson is also charged with distributing methamphetamine on Sept. 29, 2017; Moore with distributing methamphetamine Oct. 26, 2017, and June 13, 2018; and both Peterson and Moore with possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute June 27, 2018. Moore also is charged with possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
The indictment alleges that June 27, 2018, he possessed a loaded .22 caliber pistol.
Finally, the indictment seeks the forfeiture of real property in Peeksville in which Moore may have an interest and which was alleged to facilitate the commission of the drug conspiracy crime alleged in the first count of the indictment.
If convicted, Peterson and Moore face a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison on the conspiracy charge, and a maximum of 20 years on each of the other drug charges.
ADVERTISEMENT
Moore faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years on the charge of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Federal law requires that any sentence imposed on the firearm charge be served consecutively to any prison sentence imposed on the drug charge.
The charges against Peterson and Moore are the result of an investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation and the Ashland County Sheriff's Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Darren Halverson is prosecuting the case.
