CAMDEN, N.J. — A Sussex County man received a 146-month prison sentence for his involvement in a drug trafficking organization following an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Newark.
Steven R. Kristiansen, 54, of Byram Township, was sentenced Sept. 20 at the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey in Camden. He previously pleaded guilty in Camden federal court to a five-count indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution and possession of methamphetamine, and possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.
“This sentence demonstrates how HSI is committed to dismantling the drug trafficking networks who threaten our community’s safety with dangerous narcotics,” said HSI Newark acting Special Agent in Charge Spiros Karabinas. “Our partnership with the Sussex County Prosectutor’s Office in this investigation ensured Kristiansen was brought to justice for his role in poisoning our neighborhoods with methamphetamines.”
According to the investigation, in January 2022, law enforcement determined that Kristiansen was a member of a drug trafficking organization and distributed methamphetamine. From Jan. 14 to Jan. 18, 2022, Kristiansen sold over 60 grams of methamphetamine to an undercover police officer. On Jan. 25, 2022, law enforcement executed search warrants at Kristiansen’s residence and car and recovered over 50 grams of methamphetamine and ammunition.
In addition to the prison term, Kristiansen is sentenced to five years of supervised release.
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