By Shereen Siewert

A 26-year-old Wausau man will spend five years in prison for his role in a major methamphetamine conspiracy that brought hundreds of thousands of doses of the drug from the Minneapolis area to the Wausau area.

Eleven additional suspects face charges in connection with the conspiracy

Meng Xiong was sentenced Thursday in federal court by U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson for distributing methamphetamine. Xiong pleaded guilty to the charge on March 10.

Police say Xiong was part of a larger meth distribution conspiracy that spanned from November 2018 through June 2019. Police seized two firearms including a semi automatic weapon from Xiong along with nearly five pounds of meth in connection with the case, though agents think more than 10 pounds flowed into the Wausau area before the operation was stopped.

Xiong was charged with distributing methamphetamine that he purchased from the alleged leader of the conspiracy on two occasions, though investigators say he had been involved with the leader of the alleged drug-trafficking operation for several years.

Also charged:

  • Lisa Xiong, 32, Wausau, the alleged ringleader of the operation, who is charged with conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, with three counts of distributing 5 grams or more of methamphetamine, and with possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute;
  • Chong Chueneng Moua, 52, St. Paul, Minnesota, who is charged with conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, and with possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute;
  • Chou Xiong, 36, Wausau, who is charged with conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, seven counts of distributing 5 grams or more; and one count of distributing 50 grams or more;
  • Soua Khang, 24, Wausau, who is charged with conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, and three counts of distributing methamphetamine;
  • Ya Yang, 32, Wausau, who is charged with conspiring to distribute methamphetamine;
  • John Gates, 49, Hewitt, Wisconsin, who is charged with conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, and two counts of attempting to possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute;
  • Chai Thao, 35, Wausau, who is charged with two counts of distributing methamphetamine, with one count alleged to involve 50 grams or more;
  • Sandy Vang, 50, Wausau, who is charged with three counts of distributing methamphetamine, with two counts alleged to involve 5 grams or more;
  • Ger Moua, 32, Wausau, who is charged with three counts of distributing methamphetamine, with one count alleged to involve 5 grams or more, and one count alleged to involve 50 grams or more; with possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and with being a felon in possession of a firearm;
  • Vang C. Yang, 27, St. Paul, Minnesota, who is charged with two counts of distributing methamphetamine;
  • Dao Thao, 39, St. Paul, Minnesota, who is charged with possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.

All suspects were charged in indictments that were returned by a federal grand jury on Sept. 19.

While this is Meng Xiong’s first federal conviction, he was on criminal supervision in Wisconsin when he committed this offense. Xiong is the first to plead guilty and be sentenced.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force; Marathon County Sheriff’s Office; Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation; Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office; Wausau Police Department; Everest Metro Police Department; and Wisconsin State Patrol.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Schlipper.