It’s just one case. But it’s a snapshot on the growing fentanyl crisis here.

Jerry Tate, a 52-year-old resident of Beloit, has been sentenced to 5 and a half years in federal prison. The sentencing, which took place on Friday, followed Tate’s guilty plea on October 28, 2024, to charges involving the distribution of fentanyl and possession of more than 50 grams of both fentanyl and methamphetamine for distribution, as announced by U.S. Attorney Timothy M. O’Shea.

Five and a half years in prison, as trumpeted by the US Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin and echoed by media outlets across the state..

However, Tate faced a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison.

From the release announcing his grand jury indictment last January:

If convicted, Tate faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison on the charge of possessing 50 grams or more of fentanyl and methamphetamine for distribution. He faces maximum penalties of 20 years on each of the distribution charges.

One year later, Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson sentenced him to 5 1/2 years, six months more than the mandatory minimum and 34 and a half years less than the maximum sentence.

The charges against Tate were the result of an investigation conducted by the La Crosse, Campbell, and Onalaska Police Departments, as well as the La Crosse County Sheriff’s Office

According to court documents, between September 2022 and May 2023, Tate frequently traveled to La Crosse County, staying at various hotels to conduct his illicit trade. Over this period, he managed to sell over 33 grams of fentanyl and more than 13 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant in five controlled purchases.

The arrest came after law enforcement raided Tate’s hotel room in Onalaska, Wisconsin, on May 5, 2023, where they discovered more than 100 grams of the drugs alongside paraphernalia used for distribution and over $1,500 in cash.

At the time of his arrest, Tate was already on bond for related state charges.

During the sentencing, Judge Peterson emphasized the severity and duration of Tate’s criminal activities, particularly highlighting the dangers posed by fentanyl to the community.

This case marks another chapter in the ongoing and frustrating battle against the opioid (and methamphetamine) crisis in Wisconsin, with law enforcement agencies emphasizing their commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks that feed into this epidemic.

Fentanyl has emerged as one of the most dangerous drugs plaguing the United States, with Wisconsin experiencing a significant impact from its spread. This synthetic opioid is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine, making it exceptionally lethal; even minute amounts can be fatal. In Wisconsin, the presence of fentanyl in the drug supply has dramatically increased the risk of overdose, with state health officials reporting that fentanyl was involved in 91% of opioid overdose deaths in 2022. The drug’s potency, combined with its often clandestine mixture into other substances like cocaine and methamphetamine, means users may unknowingly consume it, leading to accidental overdoses.

Law enforcement’s response to this crisis has been robust, yet the challenges are immense. In Wisconsin, there were several high-profile arrests related to fentanyl trafficking.

Data indicate a rising trend in both arrests and overdose deaths; Wisconsin saw an increase of 97% in fentanyl-related deaths from 2019 to 2021, reaching 1,280 deaths in the latter year. This surge in both supply and demand for fentanyl has prompted a multifaceted response from law enforcement, public health officials, and community organizations, aiming to curb its devastating effects on the state’s population