MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced the unsealing of an indictment charging twelve people with crimes related to the distribution of cocaine.  The indictment was returned on November 28 by a federal grand jury sitting in Madison and was unsealed yesterday. 



The indictment charges Joseph Harper, 41, Madison, Wisconsin; Gregory Smith, 49, Houston, Texas; Timothy Hotchkiss, 38, Middleton, Wisconsin; Jennifer Green, 46, Madison; Gerald Schad, 26, Madison; Lonell Johnson, 27, Grand Marsh, Wisconsin; Bryan Lewis, 48, Madison; Miesha Ihm, 24, Madison; Diane Williams, 36, Dubuque, Iowa; Jamal Jackson, 39, Madison; and Gerald Walters, 36, Madison, with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.  The indictment alleges that the conspiracy operated from November 2017 to November 2018. 

In addition, the indictment charges Prince Hayes, 39, Fitchburg, Wisconsin, with distribution of cocaine on September 17, 2018.  Harper and Jackson are also charged with separate counts of distribution and possession with intent distribute cocaine.  Harper, Smith, Schad, and Ihm face additional charges of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.   

During the detention hearing for Diane Williams on December 17, 2018, the government proffered that a long-term multi-agency investigation revealed a large-scale cocaine conspiracy in which Gregory Smith allegedly mailed packages containing kilograms of cocaine from Houston to Joseph Harper in Madison and to Harper’s associates in Milwaukee and Dubuque, Iowa, for eventual delivery to Harper, and in which Harper or his associates subsequently mailed drug proceeds to Smith.

“The twelve individuals charged in the criminal indictment are alleged to have been part of a drug ring that distributed a large amount of cocaine in southern Wisconsin,” said U.S. Attorney Blader.  “Working closely with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, we will continue to investigate large-scale drug traffickers and dismantle drug networks that feed the deadly cycle of drug abuse, and jeopardize the safety and stability of our local communities.”



“DEA is proud to be part of this outstanding group effort to bring to justice those individuals who are responsible for poisoning our communities,” said DEA Resident Agent in Charge Dennis Hiorns.

“The United States Postal Inspection Service is determined to stop the distribution of illegal drugs in this country,” said Inspector in Charge Craig Goldberg of the Chicago Division of the U. S. Postal Inspection Service. “This indictment is a direct result of a thorough investigation by a group of tenacious law enforcement partners who share the same goal of protecting the American public from the flow of dangerous drugs.”

Harper, Hotchkiss, Green, Johnson, Lewis, Ihm, Williams, Jackson, Walters, and Hayes have all been arrested and made initial appearances in federal court in Madison.  Smith and Schad were both arrested in Houston and have made initial appearances in federal court in Houston. 

The conspiracy, distribution, and possession with intent to distribute charges alleging 500 grams or more of cocaine have a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison.  The distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine charges against Hayes, Harper, and Jackson have a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.

The charges in this case are the result of a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation.  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.

You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Timothy Hotchkiss, 30, Madison, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 10 years in federal prison for conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.  Hotchkiss pleaded guilty to this charge on May 14, 2019.

Hotchkiss was charged along with 11 other individuals for participating in a cocaine distribution scheme.  The investigation revealed that Gregory Smith mailed packages containing cocaine from Houston, Texas, to Joseph Harper in Madison.  Postal records from November 2017 to November 2018 showed 32 packages mailed from Smith to addresses in Wisconsin or Iowa associated with Harper.  Based on witness statements and multiple cocaine seizures in the case, agents learned that each of the packages contained between a half kilogram and one kilogram of cocaine.

Intercepted communications during the wiretap investigation revealed that Hotchkiss was a highly trusted confidant of Harper and also a frequent cocaine customer.  Surveillance showed that Hotchkiss regularly visited Harper at his cocaine stash house in Madison after the arrival of a suspected cocaine package.  In addition, Hotchkiss would pool money with Harper in order receive larger shipments of cocaine from Smith.  Hotchkiss also assisted Harper with travel arrangements to visit Smith in Houston.

In addition to Smith, Harper, and Hotchkiss, seven other defendants have pleaded guilty in the case.  Earlier this month, Judge Conley sentenced Harper to 12 years in prison and Smith to 11 years in prison for their respective roles in the conspiracy.   

The charge against Hotchkiss is the result of a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Dane County Sheriff’s Office.  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.

MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Joseph Harper, 42, Madison, Wisconsin, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 12 years in federal prison for conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.  Harper pleaded guilty to this charge on April 19, 2019.

The investigation revealed that Gregory Smith was mailing packages containing cocaine from Houston, to Harper in Madison.  Postal records from November 2017 to November 2018 showed 32 packages mailed from Smith, to addresses in Wisconsin or Iowa associated with Harper, and 48 packages were mailed from the Madison area by Harper or his associates to addresses associated with the Smith in Houston. Based on witness statements and multiple cocaine seizures in the case, agents learned that each of the packages coming from Smith contained between a half kilogram and one kilogram of cocaine.

In addition, federal agents executed search warrants on five of the packages sent to Smith from Harper or his associates, and identified over $85,000 in cash.  Based on communications between Harper and Smith, along with other investigative information, agents learned that each of the 48 packages Harper mailed to Smith contained money to pay for cocaine.

In imposing the sentence, Judge Conley stated that Harper designed, implemented, and led a large-scale interstate conspiracy involving at least 16 kilograms of cocaine.  Judge Conley noted that Harper actively recruited other people to join the conspiracy, many of whom ended up charged along with him in the case.  Judge Conley also noted that Harper had six prior felony drug trafficking convictions, with two of those convictions involving cocaine. 

Twelve individuals have been charged for participating in this cocaine distribution scheme.  In addition to Smith and Harper, eight other defendants have pleaded guilty.  On July 10, 2019, Judge Conley sentenced Smith to 11 years in prison for his role in the conspiracy.  The other individuals who have pleaded guilty are awaiting sentencing.



The charge against Harper is the result of a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Dane County Sheriff’s Office.  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.

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Gregory Smith, 51, Houston, Texas, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 11 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.  Smith pleaded guilty to this charge on April 17, 2019.

The investigation revealed that Smith was mailing packages containing cocaine from Houston to co-defendant Joseph Harper in Madison.  In total, postal records from November 2017 to November 2018 showed 32 packages mailed from Smith to addresses in Wisconsin or Iowa associated with Harper.  Based on witness statements and multiple cocaine seizures in the case, agents learned that each of the packages contained between a half kilogram and one kilogram of cocaine.

In addition, postal records from November 2017 to November 2018 showed that 48 packages were mailed from the Madison area by Harper or his associates to addresses associated with the Smith in Houston.  Federal agents executed search warrants on five of these packages and identified over $85,000 in cash.  Based on communications between Smith and Harper, along with other investigative information, agents learned that each of the 48 packages sent to the Smith contained money to pay for cocaine.

In imposing the sentence, Judge Conley noted that Smith played a critical role in the large-scale interstate conspiracy which involved at least 16 kilograms of cocaine.  Judge Conley also noted that Smith has a lengthy criminal history including four prior felony drug trafficking convictions. 

A total of 12 individuals have been charged for participating in this cocaine distribution scheme.  In addition to Smith, eight other defendants have pleaded guilty.  Smith is the first to be sentenced.

The charge against Smith is the result of a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation.  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.

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Diane Williams, 37, Dubuque, Iowa, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to five years in federal prison for conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.  Williams pleaded guilty to this charge on June 10, 2019.

Williams was charged along with 11 other individuals for participating in a cocaine distribution scheme.  The investigation revealed that Gregory Smith was mailing packages containing cocaine from Houston, Texas, to Joseph Harper in Madison.  In total, postal records from November 2017 to November 2018 showed 32 packages mailed from Smith to addresses in Wisconsin or Iowa associated with Harper.  Seven of the packages were mailed to Williams’ residence in Dubuque.  Based on witness statements and multiple cocaine seizures in the case, agents learned that each of the packages contained between a half kilogram and one kilogram of cocaine.

On June 2, 2018, U.S. Postal Inspectors identified an incoming package mailed by Smith to Williams’ residence in Dubuque.  After the delivery, officers saw Williams pick up the package and drive away with it.  Officers stopped Williams a short time later and recovered 747 grams of cocaine inside the package mailed by Smith.  

In imposing the sentence, Judge Conley noted that Williams had multiple prior felony convictions for drug trafficking.  In addition to Smith and Harper, nine other defendants have pleaded guilty in the case.  Earlier this month, Judge Conley sentenced Harper to 12 years in prison and Smith to 11 years in prison for their respective roles in the conspiracy.   

The charge against Williams is the result of a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Dane County Sheriff’s Office.  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.

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Jamal Jackson, 40, Madison, Wisconsin, was sentenced on August 21 by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to six years in prison for conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.  Jackson pleaded guilty to this charge on June 11, 2019.

Jackson was charged along with 11 other individuals for participating in a cocaine distribution scheme.  The investigation revealed that Gregory Smith was mailing packages containing cocaine from Houston, Texas, to Joseph Harper in Madison.  In total, postal records from November 2017 to November 2018 showed 32 packages mailed from Smith to addresses in Wisconsin or Iowa associated with Harper.  Based on witness statements and multiple cocaine seizures in the case, agents learned that each of the packages contained between a half kilogram and one kilogram of cocaine.

Intercepted communications during the investigation revealed that Jackson was a highly trusted confidant of Harper and also a frequent cocaine customer.  Surveillance showed that Jackson regularly visited Harper at his cocaine stash house in Madison after the arrival of a suspected cocaine package.  On September 21, 2018, Jackson bought two ounces of cocaine from Harper at the cocaine stash house and led police on a high speed chase through the eastside of Madison when they attempted to pull him over.   In addition, Jackson and Harper had a long telephone conversation about kilogram prices for cocaine and how they could make money working together.

In imposing the sentence, Judge Conley noted that Jackson had multiple prior felony convictions for cocaine trafficking.  In addition to Smith, Harper, and Jackson, eight other defendants have pleaded guilty in the case.  Earlier this month, Judge Conley sentenced Harper to 12 years in prison and Smith to 11 years in prison for their roles in the conspiracy.   

The charge against Jackson is the result of a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Dane County Sheriff’s Office.  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.