Keshena Woman Sentenced To Five Years, Meth Case Highlights Community Harm
A 41 year old woman formerly of Keshena was sentenced November 14 to five years in federal prison after pleading guilty in May to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The case, which began with a vehicle chase that crossed into the Menominee Indian Reservation, highlights ongoing concerns about illegal drugs and the need for coordinated public safety and public health responses in Menominee County.
Federal prosecutors secured a five year prison term November 14 for Dianna Chevalier, 41, a former Keshena resident who pleaded guilty in May to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Chevalier was sentenced to five years in prison and will face five years of supervised release after completing her federal term.
Court records show the case began in September 2024 when law enforcement in Shawano County attempted to stop a vehicle that fled. The pursuit continued as the vehicle entered the Menominee Indian Reservation. The vehicle stopped near Crow Settlement Road and Wisconsin State Highway 47 in Keshena. Chevalier, a passenger, and others ran toward a nearby residence but were apprehended outside the home. Officers found multiple plastic bags on Chevalier containing more than 43 grams of methamphetamine.
At sentencing the judge noted Chevalier had a lengthy criminal history and spoke about the damage illegal drugs cause to the Menominee Indian Reservation and other communities. The federal prosecution and sentence reflect law enforcement and the courts treating this matter as a serious drug distribution case under federal statutes that carry significant prison terms and long periods of supervision.
For Menominee County residents the case has several implications. First, it underlines the presence and distribution of methamphetamine in and around the reservation and the surrounding county. The amount recovered in this arrest and the resulting federal sentence are likely to draw attention from local officials focused on public safety. Second, the pursuit and arrest crossed jurisdictional boundaries, moving from Shawano County into the Menominee Indian Reservation, which highlights the practical need for coordination among county, tribal, and federal authorities when incidents span different jurisdictions.
Beyond enforcement, the sentence raises questions about preventive and rehabilitative responses. Extended prison sentences are one tool to disrupt supply and hold people accountable. At the same time communities must weigh investments in treatment, harm reduction, and reentry services that can reduce demand and lower recidivism. The five year supervised release term will place Chevalier under federal oversight after incarceration, which engages probation systems and local service providers in monitoring and support.
The case remains a focal point for local leaders, law enforcement, and residents seeking to address substance use and its impacts on families and neighborhoods across Menominee County. As the sentence is carried out, policymakers and community organizations will need to consider how enforcement, prevention, and support services can operate together to reduce the harm caused by illegal drugs.
