Darrel Wayne Kratzberg, Methamphetamine Distribution, California 2023

Local Man Sentenced to Over 10 Years in Prison for Methamphetamine Distribution

Susanville, California – In a significant blow to the illicit drug trade in Lassen County, Darrel Wayne Kratzberg, 46, of Susanville, was sentenced to 10 years and 10 months in prison for distribution of methamphetamine.

According to court documents, federal and local law enforcement officers initiated an investigation into Kratzberg’s distribution of methamphetamine in and around Susanville in February 2018. The investigation was part of a larger effort between local and federal law enforcement agencies to identify sources of drugs, especially opioids, within Lassen County.

Over the course of two months, agents conducted five controlled buys of methamphetamine and one controlled buy of heroin from Kratzberg. This extensive operation highlights the dedication of law enforcement agencies in the region to combat the opioid epidemic.

The case was the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Susanville Police Department, the Lassen County Sheriff’s Department, the California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation-High Desert State Prison, and the Lassen County District Attorney’s office. Assistant U.S. Attorney James Conolly prosecuted the case.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach.

As a result of this sentence, Kratzberg will serve a significant amount of time behind bars for his role in distributing methamphetamine in Lassen County. This outcome serves as a reminder of the consequences of engaging in illicit activities and the commitment of law enforcement agencies to keeping the community safe.

Defendant: Darrel Wayne Kratzberg, 46, of Susanville

Criminal Charges: Distribution of methamphetamine

City and State: Susanville, California

Exact Date: February 2018 (investigation initiated)

Sentence or Outcome: 10 years and 10 months in prison

Defendant’s full name: Darrel Wayne Kratzberg

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