U.S. Attorney Elgersma: Multi-year drug investigation in central Wisconsin successfully concludes after last defendant sentenced

Thirteen convicted in federal prosecution for drug and gun offenses in Homeland Security Task Force Program Case

MADISON, WIS. – Chadwick M. Elgersma, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced the successful conclusion of a multi-year drug trafficking investigation in central Wisconsin, following the sentencing of the last of thirteen defendants.

U.S. Attorney Elgersma praised the collaborative efforts of the law enforcement agents involved, ”This outcome is the result of years of dedication, coordination, and trust among our law enforcement partners. I want to thank all the agents from around the state who worked tirelessly to identify and hold this criminal organization accountable for distributing large quantities of dangerous narcotics in our communities. Their collective efforts stand as a powerful example of what can be achieved when federal and state agencies work together.” He also reaffirmed his office’s commitment to disrupting and dismantling drug trafficking organizations in the Western District of Wisconsin.

In February 2022, officers with the Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force began investigating a methamphetamine and cocaine trafficking organization led by Tommie L. Haney and Quo Vadis Lewis operating in Marathon County, Wisconsin. The investigation involved the seizure of drug-laden packages from the mail, thirty-two controlled purchases of narcotics, and search warrants executed at residences. As part of the investigation, officers seized over 12 kilograms of cocaine, 285 grams of crack cocaine, 6 kilograms of methamphetamine, 1 kilogram of marijuana, 14 firearms, and $47,405. Haney and Lewis, the leaders of the conspiracy, were sentenced to 14 years and 12 ½ years respectively. Photos from the case include:

Photo of ten pounds of methamphetamine found in mail parcel on March 17, 2022

Photo of firearms, cocaine, marijuana, and U.S. currency seized on June 28, 2023

            The following defendants were sentenced as part of the federal prosecution:

• Lawrence E. Lavergne, 44, Wausau, Wisconsin, was sentenced in June 2023 to 9 years in federal prison, followed by 8 years of supervised release, for distributing 5 grams or more of methamphetamine and possessing a firearm as a felon.

• Jaison L. Coleman, 44, Marshfield, Wisconsin, was sentenced in October 2024 to 8 ½ years in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possessing a firearm as a felon.

• Teala L. Kumbera, 29, Schofield, Wisconsin, was sentenced in November 2024 to 4 ½ years in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for conspiring to distribute cocaine.

• Shandel L. Mohr, 33, Marshfield, Wisconsin, was sentenced in December 2024 to 12 months and 1 day in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for conspiring to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine.

• Quo Vadis Lewis, 41, Wausau, Wisconsin, was sentenced in January 2025 to 12 ½ years in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of cocaine and for possessing firearms as a felon.

• Troy C. Olsen, 51, Wausau, Wisconsin, was sentenced in January 2025 to 45 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine.

• Craig C. Gates, 48, Wausau, Wisconsin, was sentenced in January 2025 to 106 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for possessing cocaine intended for distribution and possessing a loaded firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

• Tommie L. Haney, 46, Wisconsin, was sentenced in February 2025 to 14 years in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of both methamphetamine and cocaine.

• Edwin Lewis, 44, Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced in March 2025 to 12 years in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and cocaine.

• Johntay L. Johnson, 41, Wausau, Wisconsin, was sentenced in September 2025 to 8 years in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for maintaining a drug-involved premises, possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, and distributing cocaine.

• Samuel A. Teague, 43, Wausau, Wisconsin, was sentenced in January 2026 to 8 years in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of cocaine.

• Travis L. Ingram, 38, Mosinee, Wisconsin, was sentenced in March 2026 to 52 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for distributing cocaine, maintaining a drug-involved premises, and money laundering.

• Markqui R. White, 39, Weston, Wisconsin, was sentenced in March 2026 to 70 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for distributing cocaine, maintaining a drug-involved premises, and money laundering.

A fourteenth defendant, Shelby Gutch, 31, Neillsville, Wisconsin, entered into a 24-month diversion agreement in January 2025 for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine.

The charges against these individuals were the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI’s Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force, the ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force, IRS Criminal Investigation, and the Marshfield Police Department. The Marathon County District Attorney’s Office also assisted with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven P. Anderson, Corey C. Stephan, and Daniel R. Humble (Eastern District of Wisconsin) prosecuted these cases. 

The FBI’s Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force is comprised of agents from the FBI, Wisconsin State Patrol, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Marathon County Sheriff’s Office, Portage County Sheriff’s Office, Wood County Sheriff’s Office, Mountain Bay Police Department, Wausau Police Department, and Wisconsin National Guard Counter Drug Program. The ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force is comprised of federal agents from ATF and task force officers from state and local agencies throughout the Western District of Wisconsin.

This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) Program initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of federal law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.