OSHKOSH, WI – Peter J. Henkle, 51, of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, is trading his lavish lifestyle for a federal prison cell. Senior United States District Judge William C. Griesbach sentenced Henkle to 72 months behind bars on June 30, 2025, after a conviction for possessing with the intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana. The sentence is a clear message: dealing poison doesn’t pay – eventually.
The bust went down in August 2024 when the Oshkosh Police Department executed a search warrant at Henkle’s residence. What they found wasn’t a hobbyist’s stash. Investigators seized over 950 grams of cocaine, a staggering 7½ pounds of marijuana, and a cool $321,880 in cold, hard cash. But the cash on hand was just the tip of the iceberg. Authorities quickly moved to freeze and seize funds in Henkle’s bank accounts, uncovering a hidden fortune built on the misery of others.
According to court records, Henkle wasn’t a small-time operator. He admitted to peddling kilograms of cocaine over a two-year period, building a criminal enterprise that fueled addiction and lined his own pockets. The feds didn’t stop at the money in his house or bank. They went after the fruits of his illegal labor, seizing vehicles purchased with drug proceeds – a blatant display of ill-gotten gains.
Judge Griesbach didn’t mess around. In addition to the prison sentence, Henkle was ordered to forfeit a total of $579,207 to the government. That’s not all. The judge also authorized the seizure of two Harley Davidson motorcycles, a sleek 2019 Dodge Challenger Scat Pack, and a rugged 2020 Ford F250 Lariat Tremor. A hefty $50,000 fine was added for good measure. Consider it a small price to pay for the damage he inflicted on the community.
The investigation was a collaborative effort, spearheaded by the Oshkosh Police Department – Vice and Narcotics Unit and the Lake Winnebago Area Metropolitan Enforcement Group – Drug Unit (LWAM), with crucial assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Assistant United States Attorney Alex Duros prosecuted the case, ensuring Henkle faced the full weight of the law. This case serves as a reminder that law enforcement agencies are actively working to dismantle drug trafficking operations and hold those responsible accountable.
This isn’t just about taking a dealer off the streets; it’s about disrupting the flow of dangerous drugs into our communities and sending a message to others considering a similar path. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the ongoing fight against drug trafficking in Wisconsin and beyond.
Related Federal Cases
- Oshkosh Fentanyl Dealer Gets 20 Years for Four Deaths · Wisconsin
- Oshkosh Drug Kingpin Henkle Gets 72 Months, $579,207 Forfeiture · Wisconsin
- Green Bay Meth Dealer Ly Gets 7 Years · Wisconsin
- Madison Narc Drug Dealer Boatner Gets 10-Year Federal Sentence · Wisconsin
- La Crosse Drug Dealer Thoreson Gets 7-Year Lockup · Wisconsin
Key Facts
- State: Wisconsin
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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