MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Todd Anderson, 38, Centerville, Minnesota, was sentenced on Friday, August 16, by U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 90 months in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine.   Anderson pleaded guilty to this charge on April 30, 2019.

In July 2018, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Eau Claire Police Department, and the West Central Drug Task Force were conducting a joint investigation into methamphetamine trafficking in Eau Claire.  Officers received information identifying Manuel Small as an individual selling methamphetamine out of an Eau Claire motel room, and providing a description of Small’s source of methamphetamine.  Officers were surveilling Small’s motel room on July 30, 2018, when Anderson arrived at the room, went in for a short time, then drove off.  Anderson matched the description of Small’s drug source, and was arrested minutes later at a nearby gas station.  In the meantime, other officers executed a search warrant at Small’s motel room and found over 50 grams of methamphetamine packaged for resale.  Anderson confirmed that he delivered two ounces of methamphetamine to Small, and that he had been supplying Small one to two ounces of methamphetamine daily for about a month.

Small was arrested the same day, and charged in a separate federal indictment.  He pleaded guilty April 17, and was sentenced on August 8 to seven years in federal prison.

The charges against Todd Anderson and Manuel Small were the result of a joint investigation conducted by the West Central Drug Task Force, the Eau Claire Police Department and DEA.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura A. Przybylinski Finn. 

MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Manuel Small, 48, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to seven years in federal prison for possessing methamphetamine with the intent to sell it.   Small pleaded guilty to this charge on April 17, 2019.

Small was arrested in Eau Claire on July 30, 2018, after officers searched his hotel room and found over 50 grams of methamphetamine packaged for resale.  Officers had been surveilling the room a few days before the search and watched numerous individuals visit the room.  Officers received information that Small was selling methamphetamine out of that room during that time.

In sentencing Small, Judge Peterson considered the amount methamphetamine involved, the fact that Small involved others to deal for him, and Small’s extensive and serious criminal history, including several convictions for domestic violence.  Judge Peterson was also concerned that Small’s criminal history began later in life when he was in his 30’s, and continued until his arrest at an age one would expect to see criminal behavior begin to subside.  Judge Peterson nonetheless saw the potential for Small to be law abiding, if he could address his substance abuse and anger issues.

The charge against Manuel Small was the result of an investigation conducted by the Eau Claire Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura A. Przybylinski Finn.