Minnesota Man Sentenced For Role in Large-Scale Drug Trafficking Conspiracy
Madison, Wisconsin (KROC-AM News) - A Minnesota man was sentenced Thursday for his leadership role in a large-scale drug trafficking conspiracy.
The U.S Attorney Office in Western Wisconsin reported that 29-year-old David Stone of St. Paul, while incarcerated on an unrelated matter, would call a source in Minnesota to arrange for the sale of heroin and fentanyl. Stone would then call his co-conspirators in Wisconsin to arrange for the pickup.
In February 2020, investigators listened to over 3,000 hours of phone calls Stone made from jail and learned he was orchestrating a large-scale drug-trafficking operation. Documents show that Stone was very specific in the calls to his co-conspirators, directing them when to leave Wisconsin, how much to pay for the drugs, how to break them down into smaller quantities, and where to redistribute them.
Stone was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for his role in the conspiracy. He pleaded guilty in November 2021 to conspiring to distribute heroin and fentanyl.
Records show Stone controlled every aspect of the operation and was considered the leader for purposes of sentencing. Stone’s relevant conduct includes approximately 270 grams of methamphetamine and 75 grams of fentanyl.
Authorities said Stone has an extensive criminal history that is largely drug and alcohol-related but with some crimes involving violence and weapons. The judge that sentenced Stone remarked that the 10-year sentence was appropriate given Stone’s significant criminal history, flippant attitude towards supervision, and the scale of the drug-trafficking operation.
Stone is the second of the conspiracy to be sentenced. The three other co-conspirators have pleaded guilty to federal charges and will be sentenced later this year.