Third Person Sentenced For Conspiring To Distribute Meth Into Red Cliff Reservation

Madison, Wis. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Ryan Witter, 36, Manitowoc, Wisconsin, pleaded guilty and was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 126 months in federal prison for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine.

The amount of methamphetamine attributable to Witter was approximately 680 grams, which Judge Conley described as a conservative estimate.  Witter conspired with others, including Tyrone Butterfield, whom he met when they were previously incarcerated together.  Witter arranged for the shipping of numerous packages of methamphetamine from his sources in California, including his mother, to Butterfield in Bayfield, Wisconsin.  Almost all of this methamphetamine was distributed into the Red Cliff Reservation.

During the course of the conspiracy, Witter was incarcerated for a prior drug charge and while in custody, he continued to arrange for the delivery of methamphetamine to the Red Cliff Reservation.  Judge Conley described this as complete disregard for the laws and rules of society.

Four individuals, including Witter, have been charged for their roles in this methamphetamine distribution conspiracy.  Rita Witter, Ryan Witter’s mother, was sentenced to three years and Simon Sayers was sentenced to 90 months.  Tyrone Butterfield’s sentencing is scheduled for April 3.

Also See:

California Woman Sentenced For Conspiring To Distribute Meth To Red Cliff Reservation

Bayfield Man Sentenced For Conspiring To Distribute Meth On Red Cliff Reservation

Four Indicted in Meth Conspiracy on Red Cliff Reservation

The charge against Witter was the result of an investigation conducted by the Red Cliff Police Department;  Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Drug Enforcement Administration in Wisconsin and California; Bayfield County Sheriff’s Office; Ashland Police Department; and the Fremont (California) Police Department.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Schlipper.