Sussex Man Sentenced to 12+ Years in Federal Prison for Meth Distribution

Steven R. Kristiansen of Byram Township was part of a drug trafficking organization and was caught selling meth to undercover officers.

SUSSEX COUNTY, N.J. - A Byram Township resident, Steven R. Kristiansen, 54, was sentenced to 146 months (over 12 years) in federal prison for his role in a drug trafficking organization distributing methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger announced today. Kristiansen previously pleaded guilty to charges including conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution and possession of methamphetamine, and possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.

The sentence, handed down by U.S. Circuit Judge Stephanos Bibas on September 20, 2024, in Camden federal court, follows Kristiansen’s involvement in methamphetamine sales to undercover officers.

According to court documents and statements made during the trial, law enforcement began investigating Kristiansen’s activities in January 2022. Between January 14 and January 18, 2022, Kristiansen sold more than 60 grams of methamphetamine to an undercover officer. A search of his home and vehicle on January 25, 2022, led authorities to seize over 50 grams of methamphetamine and a stash of ammunition.

In addition to his prison term, Kristiansen will also serve five years of supervised release following his sentence.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited the investigation to special agents from Homeland Security Investigations Newark, led by Acting Special Agent in Charge Spiros Karabinas. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Linares of the Cybercrime Unit in Newark.

Kristiansen’s conviction and sentence are part of a larger effort by federal authorities to combat drug trafficking in New Jersey and hold individuals accountable for contributing to the spread of dangerous substances like methamphetamine.