A Minnesota man is facing at least 10 years in prison for supplying methamphetamine to dealers in northwest Wisconsin.
Karl L. McKenzie, Sr., 47, Anoka, Minn., was found guilty June 6 of distributing 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. The jury reached its verdict after one hour of deliberation following a two-day trial in federal court in Madison.
McKenzie was arrested in Ashland on Feb. 5 after he provided more than 877 grams, almost 2 pounds, of methamphetamine to an individual there, according to evidence presented at trial. An analysis of the methamphetamine found it to be 98 percent pure. McKenzie was indicted by a federal grand jury for this distribution of methamphetamine on Feb. 15.
U.S. District Judge James Peterson scheduled sentencing for Aug. 31. McKenzie faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years and a maximum penalty of life in federal prison.
The charge against McKenzie is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration; Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation; Ashland County Sheriff's Department; and Ashland Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Corey Stephan and Laura Przybylinski Finn handled prosecution.
