LA CROSSE, WI – Benjamin W. Thoreson, 43, of La Crosse, Wisconsin, is headed to federal prison for seven years after admitting to dealing methamphetamine and illegally carrying a loaded handgun. Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson handed down the sentence today, acknowledging Thoreson’s addiction issues but ultimately deeming him a continued threat to public safety.
The bust went down August 2, 2023, when Thoreson was arrested for violating the terms of his state supervision. A search revealed a loaded Ruger LCP .22 caliber handgun tucked into his waistband. Authorities also found 14 grams of methamphetamine and related drug paraphernalia stuffed in a backpack he was carrying. For Thoreson, a convicted felon, possessing a firearm is a federal offense.
Thoreson pleaded guilty on February 1, 2024, to charges of possessing a firearm as a felon and possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Wisconsin, led by Timothy M. O’Shea, pursued the case, arguing for a significant prison term given Thoreson’s history and the danger he posed. Judge Peterson agreed, citing a high likelihood of relapse and re-offending.
“This isn’t just about a gun and some drugs,” a source within the La Crosse Police Department, speaking on background, told Grimy Times. “This guy was a walking hazard. He’s got a record, he’s actively dealing, and he’s packing heat. It’s a recipe for disaster, and thankfully, we got him off the streets before someone got hurt.”
The investigation was a joint effort between the La Crosse Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan led the prosecution. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a Justice Department initiative focused on reducing violent crime by coordinating federal, state, and local law enforcement to target gun violence, particularly among convicted felons.
In addition to the seven-year prison sentence, Thoreson will also serve a three-year term of supervised release after his incarceration. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the effectiveness of the PSN program in the Western District of Wisconsin. The question remains: will seven years be enough to break the cycle for Benjamin Thoreson, or will he return to the streets, continuing the pattern of crime and addiction?
Related Federal Cases
- La Crosse Felon Marcelle Davis Sentenced to 5 Years for Gun Possession · Wisconsin
- Carl Duckett, Drug Conspiracy, IA, 2023 · Illinois
- Joseph Komanekin Jr, Synthetic Drug Trafficking, WI 2017 · Illinois
- Russell Cary Owens, Gun Possession, W. Va. 2024 · West Virginia
- Brady Pomeroy, Federal Drug Trafficking, WI 2017 · Wisconsin
Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Weapons|Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free
Browse More
