Joathan Colula, Drug Trafficking and Money Laundering, Wisconsin 2026

Defendant Sentenced to 19 Years in Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking and Money Laundering

Joathan Colula, a 33-year-old California man, has been sentenced to 228 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and for conspiracy to commit money laundering.

According to court documents, Colula was a source of supply for an organization that had distribution hubs throughout the Midwest, including in Milwaukee, Minneapolis/St. Paul, the greater Chicago area, and Northern Indiana. From these hubs, Colula and his fellow conspirators distributed kilogram quantities of cocaine, thousands of fentanyl pills, and pounds of methamphetamine.

To disguise his illegal activity, Colula laundered the proceeds of his drug trafficking through various business bank accounts. Colula also coordinated the receipt of hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash payments that were flown from the Midwest to California.

On November 29, 2022, case agents arrested fifteen individuals associated with the organization and executed search warrants at locations in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, and California. The search warrants resulted in the seizure of over 10 kilograms of fentanyl, approximately 7.5 kilograms of cocaine, more than a kilogram of methamphetamine, nearly 2 kilograms of heroin, ecstasy, oxycodone, approximately 170 pounds of marijuana, marijuana edibles, over $450,000 in cash, and 19 firearms.

In pronouncing sentence, Chief United States District Judge Pamela Pepper noted this was a large-scale, multi-state, multi-drug operation in which Colula played an integral role. She also noted that Colula was one of the longest running members of the group.

Colula will serve his prison sentence followed by 60 months of supervised release. A co-defendant, Michael Williams, also was found guilty at July 2025 trial. Williams operated the organization’s primary stash location in Minneapolis. He and others mixed, tested, and packaged controlled substances, including kilogram quantities of fentanyl. He was sentenced to 240 months’ imprisonment for his role in the conspiracy.

U.S. Attorney Brad D. Schimel stated that the case is a reminder of the devastating impact of drug trafficking on communities. Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman praised the role of his officers in the case and expressed gratitude for the collaboration with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners. The case was investigated by agents and officers from the Drug Enforcement Administration, Milwaukee Police Department, West Allis Police Department, South Milwaukee Police Department, Wisconsin Department of Justice - Division of Criminal Investigation, and Homeland Security Investigations.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edwi/pr/california-man-sentenced-19-years-federal-prison-drug-trafficking-and-money-laundering