United States of America v. Krista Sparks

Madison, Wisconsin criminal lawyer represented Defendant charged with conspiring to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and money laundering.



The government's investigation revealed that Krista Sparks, age 28, from Phoenix, Arizona, worked with her boyfriend, Levi Bagne, and others to mail and transport methamphetamine from Phoenix to Wisconsin. On November 12, 2019, and again on February 15, 2020, Sparks mailed packages containing methamphetamine from Arizona to co-defendant Cory Freyermuth's residence in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The packages were seized by law enforcement and subsequent searches of the packages revealed a total of six pounds of methamphetamine.



The investigation also revealed that Sparks used her bank accounts and her mother's bank account to launder drug proceeds for Bagne. After selling methamphetamine in Wisconsin, Freyermuth needed to return drug proceeds to Bagne in Arizona. Bagne devised a plan that allowed Freyermuth to deposit cashier's checks into Sparks' bank accounts. The investigation revealed that Sparks played an active role in setting up the bank accounts and withdrawing the proceeds.



A total of six individuals, including Bagne, have pleaded guilty to participating in this methamphetamine distribution scheme. Bagne's sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 13, 2022, at 10:30 a.m.



The charges against Sparks are the result of a joint investigation by the Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration, Lake Winnebago Area Metropolitan unit, and Merrill Police Department. The investigation was conducted and funded by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a multi-agency task force that coordinates long-term narcotics trafficking investigations. The prosecution of the case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Wegner.



21:846=ND.F CONSPIRACY TO DISTRIBUTE NARCOTICS

(1)



21:846=ND.F CONSPIRACY TO DISTRIBUTE NARCOTICS

(1s)



21:841A=ND.F NARCOTICS - SELL, DISTRIBUTE, OR DISPENSE

(1ss)



18:1956-6701.F MONEY LAUNDERING - NARCOTICS - SELL, DISTRIBUTE OR DISPENSE

(6ss)

Defendant was sentenced to Counts 1&6: CBOP 30 months, 5 years S/R, $200 C/A