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Beloit Man Sentenced to 294 Months for Distribution of Crack Cocaine
Christopher Bell Began Distributing Drug Months After Completion of Prior Federal Drug Sentence

U.S. Attorney’s Office November 20, 2009
  • Eastern District of Wisconsin (414) 297-1700

MADISON, WI—Stephen P. Sinnott, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Christopher C. Bell, 35, Beloit, Wis., was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Barbara B. Crabb to 294 months in prison for distribution of crack cocaine. Bell was convicted of this charge on September 16, 2009, after a two-day jury trial.

In December 1997, Bell was convicted in federal court in Madison of conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, and initially was sentenced to life in prison for his role as the leader of a large crack cocaine business in Rock County. Following his testimony as a government witness at two federal jury trials, his sentence was reduced in March 1998 to 20 years in prison, and following significant cooperation in additional drug investigations in Rock County, his sentence was reduced in May 2008, to 154 months in prison. He was released from prison on October 28, 2008.

A few months after being released from prison, Bell began recruiting others to assist him in setting up a crack cocaine distribution network in Wisconsin. On January 13, 2009, Bell delivered approximately five grams of crack cocaine to a government informant. During this delivery, which was captured on audio tape, Bell claimed to have “the best dope in the Midwest.”

The lengthy sentence was a result of Bell’s criminal history, his status on supervised release, his obstruction of justice during trial, and his use of a minor during the offense.

The charges against Bell were the result of an investigation conducted by the Rock County Safe Streets Task Force. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Reinhard.

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