Date: 02-03-2016

Case Style: United States of America v. Marguerite “Beth” Tompkins

Case Number: 3:15-cr-00122-wmc

Judge: William M. Conley

Court: United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin (Dane County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: Timothy M. O'Shea

Defendant's Attorney: Antonette Laitsch

Description: Madison, WI - Stevens Point Woman Sentenced for Distributing Heroin; Indictment Charging Four as Heroin Sources Unsealed

Marguerite “Beth” Tompkins, 24, Stevens Point, Wis., was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to five years in prison for conspiring to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin. Tompkins pleaded guilty to this offense on November 20, 2015.

Tompkins is the third defendant sentenced in connection with the heroin investigation spearheaded by the Central Wisconsin Drug Task Force. In January 2016, Judge Conley sentenced Cody Thompson, 24, New Hope Township, Wis., to 30 months in prison and Megan Pray Genett, 21, Belmont Township, Wis., to 24 months in prison, both for distributing heroin.

United States Attorney John W. Vaudreuil stated, “We face the public health crisis of opiate addiction. Many in the medical profession, in the criminal justice system, and in local communities, have important roles to play in addressing this crisis. Part of that response must be the vigorous prosecution of those like Tompkins who feed the addictions of others for financial gain. My office will continue to work with the Central Wisconsin Drug Task Force and other law enforcement partners to stem the spread of opiate addiction.”

Four other defendants have pleaded guilty to heroin trafficking offenses related to this investigation and are awaiting sentencing: Tiffany Bell, 25, Plover, Wis.; Kristy Dietel, 35, Stevens Point, Wis.; Hannah Hovick, 24, Marshfield, Wis., and Gregory Richardson, 26, Plover.

In connection with this same investigation, a superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury on January 27, 2016, is now unsealed. The 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. All face at least ten years in prison, with a maximum of life in prison, on the conspiracy charge. Hurley Jackson, Terrance Jackson, and Charles Hall are brothers.

In addition, each is charged with multiple counts of distributing heroin or possessing heroin with the intent to distribute, as follows: Hurley Jackson, two counts; Terrance Jackson, three counts; Hall, eight counts; and DeWight Williams, two counts. The maximum penalty for each of these counts is 20 years in prison.

The indictment alleges that the defendants transported heroin to Central Wisconsin from Milwaukee and Chicago, used heroin addicts to “test” heroin intended for distribution, and used addicts and other persons to distribute heroin.

You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Outcome: Defendant was sentenced to five years in prison.

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