SAWYER COUNTY — A Hayward man has been sentenced to 7 years in federal prison for possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute, according to a news release from the Wisconsin DOJ.
DrydenWire previously reported on Johnson in 2024 and 2025:
- September 2024: (Insider): Anonymous Tip Leads To Seizure Of Over 300 Grams Of Meth, Over 20 Grams Of Fentanyl; Hayward Man Facing Charges
- January 2025: Hayward Man Charged With Trafficking Methamphetamine And Fentanyl
NEWS RELEASE
Chadwick Elgersma, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Nathanial Johnson, 34, Hayward, Wisconsin, pleaded guilty and was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 7 years in federal prison for possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine intended for distribution.
On August 5, 2024, law enforcement found Johnson in his camper with multiple drug customers there to purchase methamphetamine. Johnson tripped upon exiting the camper in an unsuccessful attempt to flee and dropped a bag of drugs near his foot. The individuals inside admitted they were at Johnson’s camper to purchase drugs from him. In addition to over 329 grams of methamphetamine, law enforcement found a digital scale, over $1,400 in U.S. currency, and other items consistent with drug distribution. Law enforcement also found 5 bindles of drugs packaged for distribution that contained fentanyl and found additional bags of fentanyl in his camper, making the total weight of fentanyl found approximately 15 grams.
At sentencing, Judge Peterson expressed concern over Johnson’s past criminal history and his repeated failures when placed on supervision within the community. Judge Peterson found that Johnson posed an increased risk to the community when he escalated to pound-level drug dealing in this case. Judge Peterson said that protection of the public was paramount given Johnson’s practice of frequently returning to drug use and fleeing law enforcement.
The charge against Johnson was the result of an investigation conducted by U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Sawyer County Sheriff’s Office, City of Hayward Police Department, Wisconsin State Patrol, and the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Ayala prosecuted this case.
Last Update: Jul 02, 2025 7:42 am CDT
