Wisconsin ‘New Americans’ Charged in Large Drug Bust

“As United States Attorney, I want to make it clear to those who choose to distribute these dangerous drugs for profit – you are a priority for law enforcement, and my office will work with our local, state, and federal partners to prosecute you and send you to federal prison.”

( Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin)

Are these the immigrant entrepreneurs we hear about all the time from those promoting the new American economy? 

When you see the names of those charged you will see that likely most of those charged are Hmong.

And, based on their ages and the fact that Wausau, Wisconsin has been ground zero for the resettlement of Hmong people for 40 years, many of those charged are the next generation—so much for benefiting America (or for them realizing the American dream)!

From the US Justice Department earlier this month.

Thanks to a reader for alerting me to it:

Federal & State Charges Announced in Methamphetamine Investigation

MADISON, WIS. – Federal, state, and local officials announced that 16 people have been charged with drug crimes following a long-term investigation of methamphetamine distribution in the Wausau, Wisconsin area.

[….]

Twelve people have been charged in indictments returned by a federal grand jury on September 19, 2019, as follows:

Lisa Xiong, 31, Wausau, is charged with conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, with three counts of distributing 5 grams or more of methamphetamine, and with possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute;

Chong Chueneng Moua, 51, St. Paul, Minnesota, is charged with conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, and with possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute;

Chou Xiong, 36, Wausau, is charged with conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, seven counts of distributing 5 grams or more; and one count of distributing 50 grams or more;

Soua Khang, 23, Wausau, is charged with conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, and three counts of distributing methamphetamine;

Ya Yang, 31, Wausau, is charged with conspiring to distribute methamphetamine;

John Gates, 49, Hewitt, Wisconsin, is charged with conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, and two counts of attempting to possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute;

Chai Thao, 34, Wausau, is charged with two counts of distributing methamphetamine, with one count alleged to involve 50 grams or more;

Sandy Vang, 49, Wausau, is charged with three counts of distributing methamphetamine, with two counts alleged to involve 5 grams or more;

Ger Moua, 31, Wausau, is charged with three counts of distributing methamphetamine, with one count alleged to involve 5 grams or more, and one count alleged to involve 50 grams or more; with possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and with being a felon in possession of a firearm;

Vang C. Yang, 26, St. Paul, Minnesota, is charged with two counts of distributing methamphetamine;

Meng Xiong, 26, Wausau, is charged with two counts of distributing methamphetamine, with one count alleged to involve 5 grams or more; and

Dao Thao, 39, St. Paul, Minnesota, is charged with possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.

[….]

District Attorney Wetzsteon announced that four people will face state charges in Marathon County, as follows:

Kai Chang, 28, Wausau, is charged with conspiracy to possess methamphetamine as a habitual criminality repeater;

David Castillo-Lopez, 30, Wausau, is charged with conspiracy to possess methamphetamine as a habitual criminality repeater;

Mai Xiong, 32, Wausau, is charged with delivery of methamphetamine (10 to 50 grams), as a party to the crime, as a habitual criminality repeater; and;

Par Y. Her, 61, Wausau, has been charged in Marathon County Case 19CF1033 with delivery of methamphetamine (3 to 10 grams) and delivery of methamphetamine (10 to 50 grams), both as a habitual criminality repeater.

U.S. Attorney Blader said, “As United States Attorney, I want to make it clear to those who choose to distribute these dangerous drugs for profit – you are a priority for law enforcement, and my office will work with our local, state, and federal partners to prosecute you and send you to federal prison. Those who are pouring these substances into Wisconsin from out of state should be on notice that we will use all resources available to us, including the Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force, to identify you and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.”

Many of those charged as drug dealers benefited from a welcoming America and likely received taxpayer-funded social services and an education, and now, oh joy, we get to pay for their incarcerations.