Madison, WI – A 32-year-old Madison man has been sentenced to serve 5 years in federal prison for possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine intended for distribution, announced Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin.
Joseph P. Rehbein was sentenced yesterday by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 5 years in federal prison for possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine intended for distribution. The prison term will be followed by 4 years of supervised release. Rehbein pleaded guilty to this charge on May 15, 2024.
The offense occurred on August 3, 2023, when officers stopped a vehicle driven by Rehbein because it was reported stolen. After stopping, Rehbein got out of the car and ran, dropping a loaded 9mm handgun. During the short foot chase, Rehbein also tossed a bag containing methamphetamine before being arrested. Inside the car, officers found a large amount of methamphetamine inside a bag. In total, approximately 177 grams of methamphetamine was recovered.
Rehbein is prohibited from legally possessing firearms or ammunition because he has multiple prior felony convictions. He was also on state probation at the time of this offense.
At the sentencing, Judge Peterson expressed concern that Rehbein engaged in drug trafficking while on state probation for similar conduct.
This case has been brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Department’s program to reduce violent crime. The PSN approach emphasizes coordination between state and federal prosecutors and all levels of law enforcement to address gun crime, especially felons illegally possessing firearms and ammunition and violent and drug crimes that involve the use of firearms.
The charge against Rehbein was the result of an investigation conducted by the Madison Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney William M. Levins prosecuted this case.
Defendant: Joseph P. Rehbein
Criminal Charges: Possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine intended for distribution
City and State: Madison, Wisconsin
Exact Date: May 15, 2024 (sentencing)
Sentence or Outcome: 5 years in federal prison and 4 years of supervised release
Related Federal Cases
- Travis Johnson, Methamphetamine Possession with Intent to Distribute, Wisconsin 2019 · Wisconsin
- Nathanial Johnson, Methamphetamine Possession for Distribution, Wisconsin 2024 · Wisconsin
- Nicholas J. Fisher, Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, California 2023 · Wisconsin
- Darren M. Warner, Methamphetamine Possession with Intent to Distrib… · Wisconsin
- Jaysen Lane Heyer, Methamphetamine Possession, MN 2017 · Wisconsin
Key Facts
- State: Wisconsin
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Drug TraffickingDrug TraffickingDrug TraffickingDrug Trafficking