WI Man Gets 12 Years For Trafficking Fentanyl From Chicago

WISCONSIN — A former resident of Keshena and Wausau was sentenced to 12 years in prison on a conviction for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl from Chicago.

Charles A. Parham, 42, was sentenced Monday after pleading guilty to the charge in April.

After he completes his prison sentence, Parham also will spend eight years on supervised release.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge William Griesbach noted the seriousness of the crime. He remarked upon the need to deter those who might consider similar actions and to protect the community from the destructive effects of the abuse of controlled substances.

Griesbach also noted the need to incarcerate Parham for a lengthy period, given Parham’s three previous felony convictions for drug dealing.

On Sept. 29, 2023, an undercover agent purchased just under 5 grams of heroin from Parham at a location in Keshena on the Menominee Indian Reservation, authorities said.

Parham was under investigation for selling controlled substances in the Wausau area during that time.

The undercover agent and Parham communicated over the next week and a half and discussed Parham obtaining 20 grams of fentanyl, which Parham stated would be from his source in Chicago, authorities said.

According to investigators, law enforcement tracked Parham’s movements on October 11, 2023, as he left the Wausau area and traveled to Chicago and back.

The undercover officer and Parham agreed to meet at a casino on Ho-Chunk tribal land outside Wittenberg in Shawano County. Authorities arrested Parham when the vehicle he was in arrived at the casino.

Officers said they found a plastic baggy containing over 40 grams of fentanyl on Parham.