Kenneth O. Phillips, Fentanyl Trafficking, Wisconsin 2025
MADISON, WIS. – Two men have been sentenced for their roles in a fentanyl pill trafficking group operating in Sauk County and surrounding areas.
Kenneth O. Phillips, 40, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, was sentenced on Friday, November 21, 2025 by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to six years in federal prison for conspiring to distribute fentanyl. The prison term will be followed by four years of supervised release. Phillips pleaded guilty to this charge on September 5, 2025.
Phillips was identified as the local leader of the group. He provided addresses to co-defendant Ames Basham, who in turn mailed the drug-laden parcels to Wisconsin. The investigation revealed that 19 parcels of fentanyl pills were mailed from California to Wisconsin between January and April 2022.
At the time of these offenses, Phillips was on state supervision for a battery conviction. Judge Peterson found that Phillips was in charge of the group and noted that the crime was very serious because of the dangers of introducing counterfeit OxyContin pills containing fentanyl into the community.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven P. Anderson prosecuted this case.
The investigation was conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service, Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, the Sauk County Sheriff’s Office, and the Wisconsin State Patrol.
Phillips’ conduct as the leader of the group and his role in distributing fentanyl pills will have significant consequences, and his sentence reflects the severity of his crime.
Key Facts
- State: Wisconsin
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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