La Crosse Man Sentenced to 11 Years for Distributing Methamphetamine

MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that James Vinson, 33, La Crosse, Wisconsin, pleaded guilty and was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 11 years in federal prison for distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.  This prison term will be followed by 6 years of supervised release.  

On December 5, 2019, officers with the West Central Metropolitan Enforcement Group arrested Vinson after he sold 111 grams of pure methamphetamine to a confidential informant in La Crosse.  At the time, Vinson was already on state supervision for a prior methamphetamine trafficking conviction. 

The charge against Vinson was the result of an investigation conducted by the West Central Metropolitan Enforcement Group, La Crosse County Sheriff’s Office, La Crosse and Onalaska Police Departments, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven P. Anderson.