MADISON, WIS. — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Wisconsin, Western), published as received.

MADISON, WIS. – Chadwick M. Elgersma, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Jerome Sinclair, 36, La Crosse, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 5 years in federal prison for distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The prison term will be followed by 5 years of supervised release. Sinclair pleaded guilty to this charge on June 15, 2026.

In September 2025, investigators with the La Crosse Police Department identified Jerome Sinclair as a methamphetamine and fentanyl dealer operating in La Crosse. In October 2025, investigators purchased 60 grams of methamphetamine from Sinclair. In November 2025, investigators purchased 5 grams of fentanyl from Sinclair at his apartment. During that controlled purchase, Sinclair weighed and packaged the fentanyl in close proximity to a young child. Later in November, investigators purchased 114 grams of methamphetamine from Sinclair, again at his residence. In December 2025, investigators executed a search warrant at Sinclair’s residence and found methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl. 

At the sentencing hearing, Judge Peterson noted that he was concerned that Sinclair already had a serious prior felony, for Armed Robbery, and  was now facing another serious charge in this federal case.

The charge against Sinclair was the result of an investigation conducted by the La Crosse Police Department and the ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force, which is comprised of federal agents from ATF and Task Force Officers from state and local agencies throughout the Western District of Wisconsin. The La Crosse County District Attorney’s Office also with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Jennifer R. Remington and Steven P. Anderson prosecuted this case. 

Federal prosecutions by the U.S. Department of Justice involving drugs and guns are part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Operation Take Back America. Operation Take Back America is a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. 

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe.