Eastern District of Wisconsin

Gregory J. Haanstad, U.S. Attorney, announced that on January 4, 2017, a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment against a man involved in habitual domestic violence offenses on the Menominee Indian Reservation. The indictment named Jeffrey Matchopatow (age: 22) of Keshena. Count One of the indictment charged Matchopatow with Domestic Assault by a Habitual Offender in violation of 18 United States Code, Section 117. Count Two of the indictment charged Matchopatow with Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury in violation of 18 United States Code, Section 113. On each count Matchopatow faces a maximum sentence of up to 10 years’ imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to 3 years of supervised release.

 

According to the indictment, on September 11, 2016, the defendant assaulted a person with whom he lived, resulting in a facial laceration requiring sutures and a fractured jaw. Prior to September 11, 2016, Matchopatow had been convicted in Menominee Tribal Court of at least two cases involving domestic violence, which according to the indictment makes him a habitual offender under federal law.

 

The case was investigated by the Menominee Tribal Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Maier.

 

An indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

 

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For additional information contact:

Acting Public Information Officer Elizabeth Makowski at 414 297-1700

United States Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad announced that on January 4, 2017, a federal grand jury returned an indictment against Darren M. Warner, also known as, “Krazy” (age: 54) of Bellevue, Wisconsin.

Warner faces a charge alleging he possessed actual methamphetamine (“Ice”) with the intent to distribute contrary to Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a) and 841(b)(1)(A). He faces a mandatory ten years’ imprisonment and up to a lifetime of imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, and between five years and a lifetime on supervised release.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Wisconsin State Patrol, and the Brown County Drug Task Force comprised of investigators from the Brown County Sheriff’s Department, Green Bay Police Department, Ashwaubenon Public Safety Department, and the De Pere Police Department.  It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.    

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For Additional Information Contact:

Acting Public Information Officer Elizabeth Makowski                                                                  

(414) 297-1700

United States Attorney Gregory A. Haanstad of the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced today that Michael Hanan (age: 35) of Sussex, Wisconsin was sentenced to 4 years’ imprisonment and  3 years supervised release for identity theft and credit card fraud. In September of 2016, Hanan pleaded guilty to one count of access-device fraud, in violation of 18 United States Code, Section 1029(a)(5), and one count of aggravated identity theft, in violation of 18 United States Code, Section 1028A.

Until earlier this year, Hanan worked as a Human Resources Labor Relations Specialist for the Forest Service, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  In that position, he had access to current and former Forest Service employees’ personal identifying information.  Beginning in approximately February of 2016, Hanan began using the personal information of current and former Forest Service employees to open retail credit cards in the names of those employees and their family members.  He also used the personal information of his own family members to do the same. Hanan opened dozens of credit cards affiliated with Meijer and K-Mart / Sears stores, and used those cards to purchase items such as pre-paid gift cards, personal-grooming products, and food items. Hanan did not pay those credit card balances, and caused over $90,000 in actual losses. 

Hanan was initially arrested on charges of identity theft and credit-card fraud on May 5, 2016.  While awaiting trial, he was released on conditions imposed by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.  Hanan continued to commit identity theft and fraud while on pre-trial release and repeatedly violated the conditions of his release. 

In October of 2016, Hanan’s brother, Daniel W. Hanan, pleaded guilty to conspiring with Michael Hanan to corruptly obstruct Michael Hanan’s criminal proceedings, in violation of 18 United States Code, Section 1512. Daniel W. Hanan is currently awaiting sentencing.

This case was investigated by the Office of the Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Greenfield Police Department, the U.S. Postal Service, and the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Rebecca Taibleson and Carol Kraft.

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Forest Laboratories LLC, located in New York, New York, and its subsidiary, Forest Pharmaceuticals Inc., have agreed to pay $38 million to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by paying kickbacks to induce physicians to prescribe the drugs Bystolic®, Savella®, and Namenda®, the Department of Justice announced today. 

“Kickback schemes undermine the integrity of medical decisions and increase the costs of health care for everyone,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division.  “Such schemes are particularly of concern when they are designed to influence drug prescriptions, and the Department of Justice will vigorously pursue companies that subvert the law at the public’s expense.”

The settlement resolves allegations that Forest violated the Anti-Kickback Statute, which prohibits the payment of remuneration to induce referrals of items or services covered by federal health care programs, by providing payments and meals to certain physicians in connection with speaker programs about Bystolic®, Savella®, or Namenda® between Jan. 1, 2008 and Dec. 31, 2011.  The United States contends that the payments and meals were intended as improper inducements because Forest provided these benefits even when the programs were cancelled (and Forest provided no evidence of a bona fide reason for the cancellation), when no licensed health care professionals attended the programs, when the same attendees had attended multiple programs over a short period of time, or when the meals associated with the programs exceeded Forest’s internal cost limitations. 

As a result of today’s $38 million settlement, the federal government will receive $35.5 million and state Medicaid programs will receive $2.5 million.  The Medicaid program is funded jointly by the state and federal governments.

“We are committed to protecting federally funded healthcare programs from fraud, and this settlement reflects that commitment,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. “We are particularly concerned with ensuring that drugs are prescribed based on patients’ needs and not on the personal financial interests of drug manufacturers or prescribing physicians.” 

“Quality and patient safety must be the driving factors in the medical decision making process,” said Special Agent in Charge Lamont Pugh III of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) – Chicago Regional Office. “Attempting to sway physicians to deviate from those core values with illegal inducements, as alleged in this lawsuit, debilitates their unbiased medical judgment at the expense of patients and taxpayers.”

The settlement resolves allegations filed in a lawsuit by former Forest employee Kurt Kroening, in federal court in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  The lawsuit was filed under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the False Claims Act, which permit private individuals to sue on behalf of the government for false claims and to share in any recovery.  Mr. Kroening will receive approximately $7.8 million.

This settlement illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud and marks another achievement for the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT) initiative, which was announced in May 2009 by the Attorney General and the Secretary of Health and Human Services.  The partnership between the two departments has focused efforts to reduce and prevent Medicare and Medicaid financial fraud through enhanced cooperation.  One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act.  Since January 2009, the Justice Department has recovered a total of more than $31.1 billion through False Claims Act cases, with more than $19.4 billion of that amount recovered in cases involving fraud against federal health care programs.  

The settlement is the result of a coordinated effort by the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, with assistance from the HHS Office of the Inspector General, the HHS Office of Counsel to the Inspector General, the Office of the General Counsel for the Defense Health Agency, the National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units, and the FBI.      

The case is captioned United States ex rel. Kroening v. Forest Pharmaceuticals, Inc., et al., Case No. 12-CV-366.  The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability. 

 

United States Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad has announced that on December 5, 2016, Thomas C. Balsiger (63) of El Paso, Texas, was convicted of 12 felony offenses relating to his role in devising and executing a wide-ranging fraud scheme involving retail coupons.           

In December 2007, a federal grand jury indicted International Outsourcing Services (IOS), which at the time was the nation’s largest clearinghouse for retail coupons, as well as eleven individuals, including Mr. Balsiger, IOS’s Chief Executive Officer and one of its owners, for allegedly executing a scheme to defraud manufacturers who issued “cents off” coupons for use by consumers as well as to defraud IOS’s own retail clients. The grand jury also alleged that Mr. Balsiger and his codefendants conspired to defraud these entities and further conspired to obstruct the investigation into their activities by: (1) providing false information to federal law enforcement; (2) providing false information to retail clients who had received grand jury subpoenas; (3) attempting to persuade individuals to provide false information if contacted by law enforcement; (4) suing and threatening to financially harm IOS employees who cooperated with law enforcement; and (5) concealing and destroying records to prevent their discovery by law enforcement.

Following the trial, which lasted over a month, United States District Judge Charles N. Clevert, Jr. convicted Mr. Balsiger of 10 counts of wire fraud and one count of wire fraud conspiracy, each of which carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison. Mr. Balsiger also was convicted of conspiring to obstruct justice, which carries a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison. Mr. Balsiger also faces a potential restitution order. 

Judge Clevert has set Mr. Balsiger’s sentencing for March 6, 2017. 

The case was assigned to Assistant United States Attorneys Richard G. Frohling, Kelly B. Watzka, Stephen A. Ingraham, and Zachary J. Corey for prosecution. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad of the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced that James E. Podolske Jr., 59, of Panama City, Florida, pleaded guilty yesterday to one count of wire fraud and a violation of the Procurement Integrity Act.

 

Pursuant to the terms of a plea agreement, Podolske acknowledged that while an official with the U.S. Air Force, he knowingly disclosed defense department contract bid information to give a competitive advantage to a corporate defense contractor.

 

Podolske further acknowledged that between 2009 and 2013, he used his position as Chief of Air Force Fire Services to defraud approximately 25 business entities or individuals out of tens of thousands of dollars per year intended for charity.  Podolske organized an awards banquet and “charity” golf outing to coincide with a conference sponsored by the International Association of Fire Chiefs.  Podolske admitted that he actively solicited donations for his golf outing from contractors and subcontractors who sought to do business with the Air Force and Department of Defense, including several in the Eastern District of Wisconsin.  Some of the donations were forwarded to charities as intended; however, many donations were deposited in Podolske’s personal bank account.  He acknowledged using these charitable donations for his personal expenses, including to pay off credit card debt, pay for vacations and for gambling at Gulf Shore casinos. 

 

At sentencing, Podolske faces up to 25 years in prison, $500,000 in fines and three years of supervised release.  The government will also seek the forfeiture of assets equivalent to the proceeds of his criminal activity.  Pursuant to the terms of the plea agreement Podolske resigned his position as Fire Chief of the U.S. Air Force effective Oct. 21, 2016.

 

The U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations, the FBI, the Defense Criminal Investigation Service and the Naval Criminal Investigation Service investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel R. Humble of the Eastern District of Wisconsin is prosecuting the case.

 

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Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on November 21, 2016, Jason A. Kiedrowski (age: 39) of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, appeared in federal court in Green Bay and was sentenced for the crime of entering a financial institution with the intent to commit larceny in violation of Title 18 United States Code Section 2113(a). 　

As a condition of the plea agreement, Kiedrowski acknowledged that he was responsible for the following robberies throughout Wisconsin: Fox Communities Credit Union in Grand Chute on February 10, 2015; Royal Credit Union in Eau Claire on March 19, 2015; Hometown Bank in Fond du Lac on March 24, 2015; Educational Employee’s Credit Union in Janesville on April 10, 2015; First National Bank in Appleton on June 18, 2015; Unison Credit Union in De Pere on July 7, 2015.　

While handing down his sentence, Chief U.S. District Judge William C. Griesbach noted Kiedrowski’s "atrocious" criminal history and his pattern of "preying on people." He rejected the defendant’s assertion that he did not intend to scare anyone as evidenced by the fact that he not used a weapon during the robberies. Judge Griesbach called the robberies "very serious" and highlighted the "lifelong impact" the defendant’s actions had on his victims, many of whom addressed the court at the hearing. Judge Griesbach determined that protection of the public was his foremost concern, and that a "fair and appropriate sentence" called for a 10 year sentence in federal prison to be served following the completion of the defendant’s current 7 year state prison sentence. Kiedrowski was ordered to pay $15,050 in restitution and will serve 3 years on Supervised Release following the completion of his federal sentence.

The case was investigated by the Grand Chute Police Department, the Eau Claire Police Department, the Fond du Lac Police Department, the Janesville Police Department, the Appleton Police Department, the De Pere Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.　

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Paul Carter, 46, of Milwaukee, pleaded guilty in the Eastern District of Wisconsin late yesterday to eight counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and one count of conspiracy to commit forced labor and sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion.

According to documents filed in court, from 2001 to 2013, the defendant used false promises of good earnings and a better life to recruit women and girls to dance at exotic dance clubs on Indian reservations in Northern Wisconsin.  Carter then used a combination of physical violence, isolation, emotional manipulation, sexual assault and threats to harm the victims’ families to exert control over the victims and compel them to engage in commercial sex acts in Milwaukee, Northern Wisconsin and elsewhere for his profit.

According to the plea agreement, when Carter became angry at one victim for associating with another man, he used a heated wire hanger to brand a “P” on her buttock to demonstrate his ownership of her.  Carter also admitted that when he heard another victim was considering leaving him, he put the barrel of a gun in her mouth and threatened to “blow her head off.”  On another occasion described in plea documents, Carter, believing that a victim had hidden money from him, responded by searching her genitals and then forcing her to engage in sexual intercourse with him.  As further admitted in plea documents, on another occasion Carter threw a victim to the ground and stepped on her head hard enough to break her tooth, and also required her to choose between two additional punishments: drowning or jumping out of a window. 

“The repulsive crime of human trafficking offends the most basic standards of human decency and dignity,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta, head of the Civil Rights Division.  “The Civil Rights Division will vigorously and relentlessly prosecute those who prey upon, abuse and exploit vulnerable members of our society for their own financial benefit.  And while no punishment can undo the egregious harms inflicted, we will work tirelessly to seek justice on behalf of victims and survivors of human trafficking.”

“Paul Carter preyed on women and children who found themselves in desperate situations; some were homeless, others had no one to turn to, and yet others had no money to survive,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad of the Eastern District of Wisconsin.  “He used violence, fear, isolation and coercion to make the victims commit commercial sex acts for his financial benefit.  The Department of Justice, working with the Federal Human Trafficking Task Force, has been dedicated to investigating and prosecuting human traffickers so that victims can be free from this modern-day slavery.  This prosecution reflects the Department of Justice’s commitment to protecting those who are most vulnerable and to prosecuting those who are responsible.”

Carter was charged in a superseding indictment returned on Oct. 12, 2016, and faces a possible sentence of 15 years to life in prison.  The sentencing is scheduled for March 15, 2017.  As part of the plea agreement, Carter will also be ordered to pay restitution to each of the seven victims identified in the indictment, in an amount to be determined at the time of sentencing.

This prosecution is the result of the joint investigation by the Eastern District of Wisconsin’s Human Trafficking Task Force and cooperative efforts of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the State of Wisconsin Department of Justice, the Milwaukee Police Department, the FBI, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin and the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karine Moreno-Taxman and Laura Kwaterski of the Eastern District of Wisconsin and Trial Attorney Vasantha Rao of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit.

Carter Plea Agreement

WASHINGTON – Paul Carter, 46, of Milwaukee, pleaded guilty in the Eastern District of Wisconsin late yesterday to eight counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and one count of conspiracy to commit forced labor and sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion.

 

According to documents filed in court, from 2001 to 2013, the defendant used false promises of good earnings and a better life to recruit women and girls to dance at exotic dance clubs on Indian reservations in Northern Wisconsin.  Carter then used a combination of physical violence, isolation, emotional manipulation, sexual assault and threats to harm the victims’ families to exert control over the victims and compel them to engage in commercial sex acts in Milwaukee, Northern Wisconsin and elsewhere for his profit.

 

According to the plea agreement, when Carter became angry at one victim for associating with another man, he used a heated wire hanger to brand a “P” on her buttock to demonstrate his ownership of her.  Carter also admitted that when he heard another victim was considering leaving him, he put the barrel of a gun in her mouth and threatened to “blow her head off.”  On another occasion described in plea documents, Carter, believing that a victim had hidden money from him, responded by searching her genitals and then forcing her to engage in sexual intercourse with him.  As further admitted in plea documents, on another occasion Carter threw a victim to the ground and stepped on her head hard enough to break her tooth, and also required her to choose between two additional punishments: drowning or jumping out of a window. 

 

“The repulsive crime of human trafficking offends the most basic standards of human decency and dignity,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta, head of the Civil Rights Division.  “The Civil Rights Division will vigorously and relentlessly prosecute those who prey upon, abuse and exploit vulnerable members of our society for their own financial benefit.  And while no punishment can undo the egregious harms inflicted, we will work tirelessly to seek justice on behalf of victims and survivors of human trafficking.”

 

“Paul Carter preyed on women and children who found themselves in desperate situations; some were homeless, others had no one to turn to, and yet others had no money to survive,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad of the Eastern District of Wisconsin.  “He used violence, fear, isolation and coercion to make the victims commit commercial sex acts for his financial benefit.  The Department of Justice, working with the Federal Human Trafficking Task Force, has been dedicated to investigating and prosecuting human traffickers so that victims can be free from this modern-day slavery.  This prosecution reflects the Department of Justice’s commitment to protecting those who are most vulnerable and to prosecuting those who are responsible.”

 

Carter was charged in a superseding indictment returned on Oct. 12, 2016, and faces a possible sentence of 15 years to life in prison.  The sentencing is scheduled for March 15, 2017.  As part of the plea agreement, Carter will also be ordered to pay restitution to each of the seven victims identified in the indictment, in an amount to be determined at the time of sentencing.  

 

This prosecution is the result of the joint investigation by the Eastern District of Wisconsin’s Human Trafficking Task Force and cooperative efforts of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the State of Wisconsin Department of Justice, the Milwaukee Police Department, the FBI, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin and the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit.

 

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karine Moreno-Taxman and Laura Kwaterski of the Eastern District of Wisconsin and Trial Attorney Vasantha Rao of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit.

 

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United States Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad announced that Paul Bouraxis (age 67), his wife, Freida Bouraxis (age 61), son, Andreas Bouraxis (age 40), and son-in-law, Reiad “Ray” Awadallah (age 45), were sentenced in federal court today for federal tax offenses.

Previously, Paul, Freida, and Andreas Bouraxis pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the Internal Revenue Service, by skimming cash from various restaurants they operated in the Milwaukee area, failing to report substantial income on their personal income tax returns, paying employees under the table in cash, and failing to pay federal payroll taxes on those cash wages.  As part of this scheme the defendants skimmed more than $3 million form their businesses and underreported and underpaid federal income and payroll taxes by approximately $1.4 million.  Paul Bouraxis also pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion. Awadallah pleaded guilty to one count of filing a false federal return based on his failure to report cash he was paid under the table as a general manager of one of the Bouraxis’ restaurants. 

Paul Bouraxis was sentenced to two years in federal prison. Andreas Bouraxis was sentenced to 1 year and one day in prison. Freida Bouraxis and Awadallah were each sentenced to three years of probation, during which they will spend 6 months in home confinement.

Paul, Freida, and Andreas Bouraxis were also ordered to pay $1.4 million in restitution, which will be collected from funds the IRS seized from the defendants’ businesses and safe deposit boxes. The defendants agreed to forfeit an additional $442,000 of the seized funds to the United States to settle a related civil forfeiture action. 

Federal agents also seized gold and silver coins and bars, as well as jewelry, from the defendants’ business and Paul and Freida’s residence.  Virtually all of these items will be sold and the proceeds paid to the IRS to cover penalties and interest on the taxes the defendants attempted to evade. Finally, Paul Bouraxis will assist in transferring funds held in a bank account in Greece to the IRS. Separately, Awadallah paid approximately $40,000 to the IRS for the taxes he underpaid, as well as penalties and interest.

“Those who willfully cheat the tax system unfairly shift the tax burden to honest American taxpayers who pay their fair share,” said Shea Jones, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation’s St. Paul Field Office. “IRS Criminal Investigation is committed to ensuring that those who to engage in illegal schemes to evade their income and payroll tax obligations are held accountable.”

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Jacobs.

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For Additional Information Contact:

Public Information Officer Dean Puschnig 414-297-1700

Gregory J. Haanstad, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on November 16, 2016, Donald S. Harden (age: 47) of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, was found guilty following a jury trial in federal court in Green Bay, Wisconsin, of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 846 and 841(b)(1)(B).  The jury also found beyond a reasonable doubt that the conspiracy involved 100 grams or more of heroin and that the heroin distributed by Harden resulted in the overdose death of Neenah, Wisconsin, resident Frederick J. Schnettler (age: 24) in September 2014.

The evidence at trial revealed that Harden purchased kilograms of heroin in Chicago, Illinois, and using a “stash house” in Watertown, Wisconsin, repackaged the heroin for distribution in the Fox Valley area and elsewhere. Throughout the late Spring and Summer of 2014, Harden would deliver heroin to mid-level distributors in the Fox Valley; those distributors in-turn would deal smaller amounts to numerous heroin users throughout the area.

On September 4, 2014, Harden arranged a meeting with one of his Fox Valley distributors at a retail parking lot in Waupun, Wisconsin. At that meeting, Harden gave 11 grams of heroin to one of his co-conspirators warning her “be careful with this stuff, it’s got bodies on it.” That heroin was later used by Schnettler and others, resulting in his death from “acute heroin toxicity” according to the Medical Examiner. Another overdose death linked to Harden’s heroin was discovered by Winnebago County Sheriff’s investigators days later.     

Harden was convicted of the manufacture or delivery of cocaine in 2000 in Jefferson County Circuit Court, and manufacture or delivery of heroin in 2007 in Dane County Circuit Court.     

Based on his prior felony drug convictions and the jury’s determination that he is responsible for the death of Frederick Schnettler, Harden faces a mandatory life sentence when he is sentenced by Chief Federal Judge William C. Griesbach in February 2017. He remains incarcerated pending that hearing.   

The case was investigated by the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office, Lake Winnebago Area Metropolitan Enforcement Group – Drug Unit, the City of Appleton Police Department, the Jefferson and Dodge County Drug Task Forces, the Oshkosh Police Department, the Fond du Lac County Medical Examiner’s Office, and the Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Daniel R. Humble and Andrew J. Maier.

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For further information contact:

Public Information Officer Dean Puschnig

(414) 297-1700

 

United States Attorneys John W. Vaudreuil of the Western District of Wisconsin and Gregory J. Haanstad of the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced today that they have appointed Assistant United States Attorneys to lead the efforts of their respective offices in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the November 8, 2016 elections.

AUSA Peter Jarosz has been appointed to serve as the Election Officer for the Western District of Wisconsin, which covers Madison and approximately the western 44 counties of the state. AUSAs Zachary Corey and Christopher Ladwig have been appointed to serve as the Election Officers for the Eastern District, which covers Milwaukee and approximately the eastern 28 counties of the state. As Election Officers, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington, these AUSAs are responsible for overseeing the handling of complaints of voting rights abuses and election fraud in their respective districts.

“Wisconsin's proud history is one of expanding the opportunity to vote, and ensuring that every citizen votes without interference or discrimination” said United States Attorney Vaudreuil.  “This Department will never yield in its commitment to protecting that most sacred of Americans' rights - the right to vote.”

United States Attorney Haanstad added, “The right to vote is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must work to ensure that those who are entitled to vote are free to exercise that right if they choose, and that those who seek to interfere with that right are brought to justice.”

The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring election fraud and discrimination at the polls, and combating these violations whenever and wherever they occur. The Department’s long-standing Election Day Program furthers these goals, and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible election fraud and voting rights violations while the polls are open on Election Day.

Federal law protects against such crimes as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots or voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters and provides that they can vote free from acts that intimidate or harass them. For example, actions of persons designed to interrupt or intimidate voters at polling places by questioning or challenging them, or by photographing or videotaping them, under the pretext that these are actions to uncover illegal voting may violate federal voting rights law.

Further, federal law protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice.

In order to respond to complaints of voting rights abuses or election fraud on November 8, 2016, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, the Election Officers will be on duty in their districts while the polls are open.

In addition, the FBI will have Special Agents available in each Field Office and Resident Agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The FBI in Madison can be reached by calling (608) 833-4600. The FBI in Milwaukee can be reached by calling (414) 276-4684.

Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section in Washington by phone at 1-800-253- 3931 or (202) 307-2767, by fax at (202) 307-3961, by email to voting.section@usdoj.gov or by complaint form at http://www.justice.gov/crt/complaint/votintake/index.php.

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Jason Michael Ludke, 35, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin has been charged in a criminal complaint with attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), a designated foreign terrorist organization. Yosvany Padylla-Conde, 30, also of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was charged in the same complaint with aiding and abetting Ludke’s attempt to provide material support to ISIL.

The announcement was made by Assistant Attorney General for National Security John P. Carlin and U.S. Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad of the Eastern District of Wisconsin.

Ludke and Padylla-Conde were arrested near San Angelo, Texas. The complaint alleges that the two were traveling from Wisconsin to Mexico where they intended to acquire travel documents necessary to travel overseas to join ISIL.

“The United States is committed to identifying and arresting persons intent on providing material support to foreign terrorist organizations. Those organizations pose a threat to United States' interests at home and abroad.” said U.S. Attorney Haanstad.

Special Agent in Charge Justin Tolomeo of the FBI’s Milwaukee Division stated “Terrorism remains the FBI’s top priority in keeping Americans safe. The arrest of these two individuals from Wisconsin, underscores how the real threat of terrorism can occur anywhere, at anytime. I would like to commend the efforts of the JTTF which includes a wide range of our law enforcement partners who work tirelessly for the safety of our citizens. We encourage all citizens to remain vigilant in reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement.”

If convicted of these offenses both men face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.00.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes. If convicted of any offense, the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. 

U.S Attorney Haanstad commends the investigation carried out by the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force. The case will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S Attorney Paul L. Kanter of the Eastern District of Wisconsin, with assistance from Counterterrorism Section Trial Attorney Jolie Zimmerman.

United Sates Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad announced today that JASON MICHAEL LUDKE (age: 35) of Milwaukee, has been charged in a criminal complaint with attempting to provide material support or resources to a foreign terrorist organization, ISIL, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2339B(a)(1). YOSVANY PADILLA-CONDE (age: 30), also of Milwaukee, was charged in the same complaint with aiding and abetting LUDKE's attempt to provide material support or resources to a foreign terrorist organization, ISIL, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2339B(a)(1) and 2. If convicted of these offenses both men face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.00.

LUDKE and PADYLLA-CONDE were arrested by the FBI and local law enforcement near San Angelo, Texas. It is alleged in the complaint that the two were traveling from Wisconsin to Mexico where they intended to acquire aid and documents necessary to travel to Syria and/or Iraq.

United States Attorney Haanstad said the United States is committed to identifying and arresting persons intent on providing material support of any kind to foreign terrorist organizations. Those organizations pose a threat to United States' interests abroad, including threats to our military personnel, and pose a threat to the homeland upon the possible return of terrorist supporters to the United States. Haanstad commended the work of the FBI and the Joint Terrorism Task Force.  

Special Agent in Charge of the FBI, Justin Tolomeo stated “Terrorism remains the FBI’s top priority in keeping Americans safe. The arrest of these two individuals from Wisconsin, underscores how the real threat of terrorism can occur anywhere, at anytime. I would like to commend the efforts of the JTTF which includes a wide range of our law enforcement partners who work tirelessly for the safety of our citizens.  We encourage all citizens to remain vigilant in reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement.”

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Joint Terrorism Task Force.  The case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Paul L. Kanter.

A copy of the criminal complaint is attached. The public is reminded that the complaint contains only allegations of criminal conduct, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

 

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United States Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on October 12, 2016, a federal grand jury returned a five-count indictment against three individuals involved in drug trafficking on the Mole Lake Indian Reservation in Forest County. The indictment named Anthony Quintana (age: 43) and Karen Quintana (age: 39) of Weston, and Diana Alvarado (age: 39) from the Town of Nashville in Forest County, Wisconsin.

All three defendants are charged in Count One with Conspiracy to Distribute Greater Than 50 Grams of Methamphetamine in violation of 21 United States Code Section 846, and in Count Two with Distribution of Greater Than 50 Grams of Methamphetamine in violation of 21 United States Code Section 841(a)(1). Counts Three, Four and Five charge Anthony Quintana and Diana Alvarado with Distribution of Methamphetamine in violation of 21 United States Code Sections 841(a)(1). As to Counts One and Two, each defendant faces a sentence of a minimum of 5 years’ and up to 40 years’ imprisonment, up to a $1,000,000 fine, and between 5 years and a lifetime of Supervised Release. As to Counts Three, Four and Five each defendant faces a maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment, up to a $1,000,000 and between 5 years and a lifetime of Supervised Release.

According to the indictment, the three defendants conspired amongst themselves and with others to distribute more than 150 grams of methamphetamine and oxycodone in the Mole Lake area. On four separate occasions Anthony Quintana and Diana Alvarado distributed at least an ounce of methamphetamine, with one delivery in excess of 50 grams.

The case was investigated by the Forest County Sheriff’s Department, the Wisconsin Department of Justice - Division of Criminal Investigation (Native American Drug and Gang Initiative) and the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Maier.

An indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that Randall J. Frisque (age: 58) of Green Bay, Wisconsin, was sentenced to federal prison by Chief United States District Judge William C. Griesbach. Frisque had previously entered a guilty plea to a charge of theft of government property in violation of Title 18, United States Code Section 641.

According to the plea agreement and other documents filed with the court, Frisque was a dump truck operator on state road projects working between 50 and 60 hours a week while continuing to collect Social Security Disability payments. Witnesses told authorities that Frisque often bragged about his receipt of the fraudulent payments, telling them “this was his payback.”              

In pronouncing sentence, Chief Judge Griesbach noted the very serious nature of the fraud and noted Frisque’s dismissive attitude toward his criminal actions. Ultimately, Frisque was sentenced to 16 months in prison followed by 2 years of Supervised Release. He was also ordered to pay approximately $130,000 in restitution to the Social Security Administration and Medicare.      

This case was investigated by the U.S. Social Security Administration and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.

      

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United States Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad of the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that Moises Alcazar (age: 34) of Green Bay has plead guilty to assisting and advising in the preparation and filing of a false income tax returns in violation of 26 United States Code Section 7206(2). Alcazar faces a maximum term of imprisonment of three years, a maximum term of supervised release of one year, a maximum fine of $100,000, and restitution to be ordered by the court.

Alcazar ran Alcazar Tax Services from 2006 to 2012 and acknowledged as part of a plea agreement that he had perpetrated a pair of related tax fraud schemes that caused a total loss to the government of over $766,000. In the first scheme, Alcazar would assist clients in artificially and illegally inflating their tax refunds. In the second scheme, Alcazar used documents supplied by foreign co-conspirators to file fabricated tax returns.

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Richard Frohling and Benjamin Taibleson.

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Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced today that Anthony Oliphant, Jr. of Brown Deer, Wisconsin, was sentenced by the Honorable J.P. Stadtmueller to 114 months’ imprisonment for his role in committing the March 4, 2016, armed robbery of the Tri City National Bank in Brown Deer.  Oliphant’s prison sentence will be followed by 60 months of supervised release.  He has also been ordered to pay restitution to the bank.

During the robbery, Oliphant entered the bank, loudly tapped a revolver on the counter in front of a teller, and demanded money. He then began pacing the bank lobby and angrily confronted another teller when he mistakenly believed she had pressed the silent alarm button. A total of seven bank employees were present during the robbery. Oliphant fled the bank on foot carrying a backpack, into which a teller had deposited money. A Brown Deer Police K-9 unit was used to track his flight path and led law enforcement to items Oliphant discarded following the robbery. Those items and other investigative steps led law enforcement to identify Oliphant as the bank robber.

The successful prosecution of this case was the result of a joint investigation by the Brown Deer Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Benjamin Taibleson and Kelly B. Watzka prosecuted the case.  

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Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on September 20, 2016, a federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment against John Mendoza (age: 39) of Keshena charging him with a violation of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (18 United States Code Section 2250). If convicted of the offense, the defendant faces a sentence of up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and from 5 years up to lifetime Supervised Release.

According to the indictment, Mendoza, failed to comply with the sex offender registry from June 2016 through August 11, 2016.

The case was investigated by the Menominee Tribal Police Department, Wisconsin Department of Corrections Sex Offender Registry Program, United States Probation Office, and United States Marshals Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Maier.

An indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

 

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Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on September 20, 2016, a federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment against Bryant Waupoose, Sr. (age: 47) of Keshena, Wisconsin, charging him with Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Harm in violation of 18 United States Code Sections 113(a)(6) and 1153(a). If convicted of the offense, the defendant faces a sentence of up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and up to 3 years of Supervised Release.

According to the indictment, Waupoose, punched and kicked a man on or about July 31, 2016, leading to the man suffering a broken jaw and fractured foot. The incident occurred in Keshena on the Menominee Indian Reservation.

The case was investigated by the Menominee Tribal Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Maier.

An indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

 

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Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced today that James G. Wheeler (age 30) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was sentenced by the Honorable Judge Pamela Pepper to 228 months’ imprisonment for his involvement in the November 18, 2014 attempted armed robbery of Bouchards in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  The attempted armed robbery was committed by two masked men, both of whom were armed with handguns.

Wheeler pled guilty to attempted armed Hobbs Act robbery and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.  During the attempted armed robbery of the store, Wheeler shot the co-owner of the store in his chest, causing life-threatening injuries.  Wheeler’s co-actor, Deangelo Garcia, pled guilty to attempted armed Hobbs Act robbery and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence and was sentenced by the Honorable Judge J.P. Stadtmueller to 150 months’ imprisonment.  The Hobbs Act, passed by Congress in 1946, provides federal jurisdiction for cases involving violent criminals who commit armed robbery of businesses involved in interstate commerce.

Wheeler was previously convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm in federal court and was sentenced by the Honorable Judge J.P. Stadtmueller to 4 years’ imprisonment for that conduct.

According to United States Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad: “The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to addressing violent crime in this district and will continue to prosecute and seek substantial prison sentences for those who use firearms in the commission of crimes.” Haanstad also emphasized that “the successful prosecution of this important case was the result of a collaborative law enforcement effort by the Milwaukee Area Violent Crime Task Force, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Milwaukee Police Department.”

Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Milwaukee Division, Vadim Thomas said: “The FBI prioritizes these types of investigations and works collaboratively with MPD to identify the offenders and bring them to justice.  We all work together to make our community a safe place.”

These cases were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura S. Kwaterski.

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United States Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad of the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on September 7, 2016, a federal grand jury returned an indictment against James E. Podolske Jr. (age: 59) of Panama City, Florida charging him with Procurement Fraud in violation of Title 41, United States Code, Section 2102 and Wire Fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343. If convicted of these offenses, Podolske Jr. faces up to 25 years imprisonment, $500,000 in fines, and 3 years of supervised release. The government is also seeking forfeiture of assets equivalent to the proceeds of any criminal activity.

According to the indictment, in February of 2013, Podolske Jr. while employed as an official with the United States Air Force, knowingly disclosed defense department contract bid or proposal information to give a competitive advantage to a corporate defense contractor identified in the indictment as “Company A.”

The indictment further alleges that between 2009 and 2013, Podolske Jr. used his position as Chief of Air Force Fire Services to defraud approximately 25 business entities or individuals out of over $133,000 intended for charity. Podolske Jr. organized an awards banquet and “charity” golf outing to coincide with a conference sponsored by the International Association of Fire Chiefs. Podolske Jr. is alleged to have actively solicited donations for his golf outing from contractors and subcontractors seeking to do business with the Air Force and Department of Defense, including several in the Eastern District of Wisconsin. Some of the donations were forwarded to charities as intended, many donations, however, were deposited in Podolske Jr.’s personal bank account. He is alleged to have converted these charitable donations for his personal use to pay off credit card debt, pay for vacations, and for gambling at Gulf Shore casinos. 

This case was investigated by the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Defense Criminal Investigation Service, and the Naval Criminal Investigation Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.    

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United States Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad of the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced that three Milwaukee men were charged with armed bank robbery and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. The men are identified as: Elijah McGee, (age: 20), London Johnson, (age: 20), and Robert R. Crumble, Jr., (age: 20).

The indictment alleges that on February 2, 2016, the TCF bank located in Elm Grove, WI, was robbed by at least three subjects.  If convicted, the three defendants face a maximum of 25 years’ imprisonment for the armed bank robbery charge, and a minimum mandatory of seven years’ imprisonment with a maximum of life imprisonment on the firearms charge. 

The case was investigated by the Elm Grove Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lisa A. Wesley.   

The public is cautioned that an indictment is merely a charge and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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United States Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad of the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced that two people were indicted for the armed robbery of the Swan Serv-U Pharmacy in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. Tytianna Jackson (age: 19), and Marquise Jones (age: 26), both of Milwaukee were charged with one count of interference with commerce by robbery pursuant to the Hobbs Act, and one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. 

The indictment alleges that on August 1, 2016, the defendants, armed with a firearm, robbed the Swan Serv-U Pharmacy, 9130 W. North Avenue, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.  If convicted, each defendant faces up to 20 years in prison on the armed robbery count and a minimum mandatory sentence of 7 years and up to life in prison on the charge of use of a firearm during a robbery. 

The Hobbs Act, passed by Congress in 1946, provides federal jurisdiction for cases involving violent criminals who commit armed robbery of businesses involved in interstate commerce. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office collaborate together to ensure that violent offenders are effectively prosecuted, making our communities safer for all. 

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Wauwatosa Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin W. Proctor.

The public is cautioned that an indictment is merely a charge and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

 

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United States Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad announced today that two Milwaukee men were indicted for the August 14, 2016 armed robbery of a Walgreen’s store located in Milwaukee.  Anthony J. Chappell (age: 25) and Christopher E. Morgan (age: 28) were charged with one count of interference with commerce by robbery pursuant to the Hobbs Act and one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.  Chappell was also charged with felon in possession of a firearm and Morgan was charged with transferring a firearm to a prohibited person. 

The indictment alleges that on August 14, 2016, defendants Chappell and Morgan robbed the Walgreens store located at 2222 West Capitol Drive in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Defendant Morgan provided Chappell with a firearm.  At the time of the offense, Chappell was a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing a firearm.  If convicted, each man faces up to 20 years in prison on the armed robbery count and a minimum mandatory sentence of 7 years and up to life in prison on the charge of use of a firearm during a robbery. 

The Hobbs Act, passed by Congress in 1946, provides federal jurisdiction for cases involving violent, habitual criminals who commit armed robbery of businesses involved in interstate commerce. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office collaborate together to ensure that violent offenders are effectively prosecuted, making our communities safer for all. 

This matter is being investigated by the FBI’s Milwaukee Area Violent Crimes Task Force, the Milwaukee Police Department, and the Milwaukee District Attorney’s Office.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Margaret B. Honrath. 

The public is cautioned that an indictment is merely a charge and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

 

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Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on August 19, 2016, Jason A. Kiedrowski (age: 39) of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, appeared in federal court in Green Bay and pleaded guilty to a count of entering a financial institution with the intent to commit larceny in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2113(a).

In pleading guilty, Kiedrowski acknowledged that he was responsible for the following robberies throughout Wisconsin: Fox Communities Credit Union in Grand Chute on February 10, 2015; Royal Credit Union in Eau Claire on March 19, 2015; Hometown Bank in Fond du Lac on March 24, 2015; Educational Employee’s Credit Union in Janesville on April 10, 2015; First National Bank in Appleton on June 18, 2015; Unison Credit Union in De Pere on July 7, 2015.

The charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and up to 3 years of supervised release. Kiedrowski is scheduled to be sentenced on November 14, 2016. He remains incarcerated pending sentencing.   

The case was investigated by the Grand Chute Police Department, the Eau Claire Police Department, the Fond du Lac Police Department, the Janesville Police Department, the Appleton Police Department, the De Pere Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.

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Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on August 15, 2016, Koleh B. Wilson (age: 37) of Phoenix, Arizona, (formerly of Milwaukee and Sheboygan Counties) appeared in federal court in Green Bay and was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for his involvement in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine in Manitowoc County. 

In pronouncing sentence, Chief United States District Court Judge William C. Griesbach noted the serious nature of Wilson’s crime and its ramifications for the Manitowoc community. The judge condemned Wilson’s prior record which included convictions in state court for possession of illegal narcotics. He concluded that Wilson was deserving of a substantial prison sentence. Following his release from prison, Wilson will serve 8 years on federal supervised release.  

The case was investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Office, the Manitowoc Area MEG Unit, with assistance from the United States Marshal’s Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.

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United States Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad announced the filing of plea agreements that had been reached with Paul Bouraxis, his wife, Freida Bouraxis, and their son, Andreas Bouraxis, all of whom resided in Franklin, Wisconsin. Each of the defendants agreed to plead guilty to conspiring to defraud the United States by impeding the Internal Revenue Service in connection with their operation of restaurants in the Milwaukee area, including the Omega Burger restaurant, located on S. 27th Street in Franklin, the El Fuego restaurant located on W. Layton Avenue in Milwaukee, and the El Beso restaurant located on S. 74th Street, in Greenfield.           

In addition, Paul Bouraxis agreed to plead guilty to tax evasion in connection with his filing of his 2010 personal income tax return.           

As part of the conspiracy to defraud the United States, the defendants skimmed cash receipts from their restaurants, paid restaurant employees in cash without withholding payroll taxes, and failed to report much of the skimmed cash as income on their personal tax returns.  During the years 2007 – 2010, the defendants skimmed more than $3 million from their restaurants and underpaid federal income and payroll taxes by more than $1.3 million.           

As part of the investigation, in September 2012, federal agents seized approximately $1.7 million in cash, as well as silver and gold bars, and jewelry from the defendants’ restaurants, residence, and safe deposit boxes maintained by the defendants.           

As part of their plea agreements, the defendants have agreed to forfeit a total of $442,000 from the seized funds to the United States.  In addition, the defendants have agreed that the remaining seized cash and the proceeds from the sale of the silver, gold, and jewelry will be applied to their tax obligations.           

As part of their plea agreements, the parties will jointly recommend that Paul Bouraxis be sentenced to 2 years in prison; that Andreas Bouraxis be sentenced to 1 year and 1 day in prison; and that Freida Bouraxis be sentenced to 6 months of home detention.

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

 

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Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on July 25, 2016, Steven R. Schenian, Jr. (age: 38) of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, appeared in federal court in Green Bay and was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for his involvement in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine and carrying a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. 

In pronouncing sentence, Chief United States District Court Judge William C. Griesbach noted the “special danger to the community” inherent when drug traffickers possess firearms. The judge condemned Schenian Jr.’s involvement in several violent drug-related acts, including the beating of a drug associate whom he suspected of theft. He concluded that Schenian Jr. was deserving of a substantial prison sentence. Following his release from prison, Schenian Jr. will serve 10 years on federal supervised release.   

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Office, and the Manitowoc Area MEG Unit. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.

 

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Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on July 19, 2016, a federal grand jury returned an indictment against Johnny L. Kinney (age: 22) of Neopit, Wisconsin, and Bo Peters (age: 20) of Keshena, Wisconsin, charging them with Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Harm in violation of 18 United States Code Sections 113(a)(6) and 1153(a). If convicted of the offense, the defendants each face a sentence of up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and up to 3 years of Supervised Release.

According to the indictment, Kinney and Peters, assaulted a male on April 17, 2016, leading to the male suffering a broken nose and damaged sinuses. The incident occurred in Neopit on the Menominee Indian Reservation.

The case was investigated by the Menominee Tribal Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Maier.

An indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on July 19, 2016, a federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment against Matthew T. White, Jr. (age: 27) of Keshena, Wisconsin, charging him with Sexual Abuse of a Minor Under the Age of 16 in violation of 18 United States Code Sections 2243(a) and 1153(a). If convicted of the offense, the defendant faces a sentence of up to 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and a period of Supervised Release of at least five years and up to the rest of the defendant’s life.

According to the indictment, White, engaged in a sex act with a 13-year girl at a location outside Keshena on the Menominee Indian Reservation.

The case was investigated by the Menominee Tribal Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Maier.

An indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on July 11, 2016, Ashley E. Kitchenakow (age: 28) of Green Bay, Wisconsin, was sentenced by the Honorable William C. Griesbach to 9 years in prison and 5 years supervised release.  Kitchenakow pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter contrary to Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1112 and 1153, and recklessly endangering the safety of others by operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, in violation of Tittle 18, United States Code, Sections 1152 and 13, and Wisconsin Statutes Section 941.30(2).  

According to the indictment and other court documents, on August 28, 2015, while on the Menominee Indian Reservation in Neopit, Wisconsin, Kitchenakow lost control of the vehicle, hit a tree, caused the death of one passenger in the vehicle, and caused serious injury to another passenger. Kitchenakow acted with wanton and reckless disregard for human life, and had actual knowledge that her conduct was a threat to the lives of others given several previous convictions for operating while intoxicated.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Menominee Tribal Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William Roach.  

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Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on July 12, 2016, Cory M. Yant (age: 35) of Appleton, Wisconsin, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

A federal grand jury had indicted Yant for offenses related to the May 25, 2015, break-in and burglary of Jon’s Gun Shop in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.  According to court filings, Yant and his codefendants stole and then sold on the street 11 semi-automatic firearms, several of which ended up in the hands of convicted felons.

In pronouncing sentence, Chief United States District Court Judge William C. Griesbach agreed that the maximum sentence of 10 years was warranted based on Yant’s conduct and history.  Chief Judge Griesbach also determined that in light of Yant’s lengthy criminal record and unrepentant demeanor, his 10-year federal prison sentence will commence only after Yant has finished serving a 4-year state prison sentence for crimes committed in Calumet, Outagamie, and Brown Counties.

The case was investigated by the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.

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United States Attorney Gregory A. Haanstad of the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced today that the grand jury has returned an indictment against Geffrey Sawtelle (age: 62) of Neshkoro, Wisconsin, charging him with executing a scheme to defraud Farmers Exchange Bank, a federally insured financial institution operating at various Wisconsin locations, and related criminal charges. 

From 2000 until 2014, Mr. Sawtelle was the President and CEO of Farmers Exchange Bank. The indictment alleges that, from 2003 to 2014, Mr. Sawtelle engaged in a scheme to obtain money and assets owned by the Bank, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1344.  Mr. Sawtelle executed the scheme in several different ways.  Counts One through Five of the indictment allege that Mr. Sawtelle caused the Bank to purchase car racing-related items for Mr. Sawtelle’s personal use, including a Classic Trailer, a Kibbi trailer, a Renegade motorhome, a Corvette, and services performed by Corvette Sports Inc., and that Mr. Sawtelle manipulated the Bank’s ledgers to conceal those purchases.  Counts Six through Fourteen allege that Mr. Sawtelle repeatedly awarded himself fraudulent bonuses that were not approved by the Bank’s Board of Directors.  Counts Fifteen through Nineteen allege that Mr. Sawtelle originated a series of straw loans in the names of other people, for his own benefit. Finally, Counts Twenty and Twenty-One charge that Mr. Sawtelle caused the Bank to purchase two sports utility vehicles for his personal use.  As to each of these counts, if convicted, Mr. Sawtelle would face imprisonment for not more than 30 years, a fine of not more than $1 million, or both, plus the mandatory $100 special assessment and a term of supervised release not to exceed five years.

The indictment also alleges that Mr. Sawtelle violated Title 18, United States Code, Section 656, by embezzling and misapplying Bank funds while employed as one of the Bank’s officers.  Count Twenty-Two alleges that Mr. Sawtelle embezzled the proceeds of the sale of a 2002 Corvette, which Mr. Sawtelle had previously purchased and expensed to the Bank. Count Twenty-Three charges that Mr. Sawtelle transferred $20,000 from the Bank’s general ledger to his own checking account.  As to each of those counts, if convicted, Mr. Sawtelle would face imprisonment for not more than 30 years, a fine of not more than $1 million, or both, plus the mandatory $100 special assessment and a term of supervised release not to exceed five years.

Finally, Counts Twenty-Four and Twenty-Five allege that Mr. Sawtelle obstructed the examinations of Farmers Exchange Bank by the FDIC, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1517, and made false statements to an FDIC representative, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001.  As to each of those counts, if convicted, Mr. Sawtelle would face imprisonment for not more than 5 years, a fine of not more than $250,000, or both, plus the mandatory $100 special assessment and a term of supervised release not to exceed one year.

This case is being investigated by the Office of the Inspector General for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Office of the Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Carol Kraft and Rebecca Taibleson.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.    

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Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that that on June 28, 2016, a federal grand jury returned an indictment against Neil C. Kienast (age: 20) of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, charging him with possession of child pornography in violation of Title18, United States Code, Section 2252A.  If convicted of the charge, Kienast faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and five years to life of supervised release.

The indictment alleges that on January 14, 2016, Kienast possessed a number of movie files that contained images of child pornography.  The indictment also provides notice that various computers and storage media devices seized from Kienast are subject to forfeiture.

Kienast is scheduled to appear on July 14, 2016, at 2:45 p.m. before the Honorable James Sickel, Magistrate Court Judge. A trial date will be set at that time. 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William Roach.  

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.    

 

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Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on June 28, 2016, a federal grand jury returned an indictment against Jeremy J. Neumann (age: 37) of Neenah, Wisconsin, charging him with arson of a building in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 844(i); mail fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1341; and making a false statement in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001.  If convicted of the arson or mail fraud charges, Neumann faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. If convicted of the false statement charge, Neumann faces a maximum of 5 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.

The indictment alleges that Neumann was the owner of Gambit McDermott, LLC, a business leasing warehouse storage space in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.  On November 6, 2015, Neumann maliciously damaged by means of fire his business property and later submitted a proof of loss claim to his insurance company wherein he falsely stated the fire was accidental and not originating from his own act.

Neumann is scheduled to appear on July 14, 2016, at 3:00 p.m. before the Honorable James Sickel, Magistrate Court Judge. A trial date will be set at that time. 

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the State of Wisconsin, Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigations, the Oshkosh Police Department, and the Winnebago County District Attorney’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William Roach.  

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

 

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Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on June 28, 2016, a federal grand jury returned an indictment against Curtis M. Boivin (age: 48) of Keshena, Wisconsin, charging him with assault with a dangerous weapon in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 113(a)(3); and assault resulting in serious bodily injury in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 113(a)(6).  If convicted of either charge, Boivin faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.

The indictment alleges that on January 23, 2016, Boivin assaulted an individual on the Menominee Indian Reservation by striking him in the head and arm with a shovel, causing serious bodily injury.

Boivin is scheduled to appear on July 7, 2016, at 1:30 p.m. before the Honorable James Sickel, Magistrate Court Judge. A trial date will be set at that time. 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Menominee Tribal Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William Roach.  

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

 

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United States Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad of the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced today that two Milwaukee area men have pleaded guilty to and been sentenced in federal court for criminal violations of the Lacey Act, Title 16, United States Code, Sections 3372 (a)(2)(A) and 3373(d)(2).  The violations related to the unlawful importation into the United States of wildlife that had been killed in Ontario, Canada, in violation of Canadian law.

United States Attorney Haanstad explained that in 2014, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) began an investigation into the illegal hunting activities of Reid Viertel (41) of West Allis, Wisconsin, and various associates, including Terry Schmit (43) of Franklin, Wisconsin.  With assistance from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the OMNR determined that despite not having an Ontario license, Viertel had shot and killed a timber wolf in February 2012.  Authorities also determined that in August 2013, Schmit traveled to Ontario with Viertel, where he shot and killed a black bear while hunting without a license.  In both instances, Viertel falsified export documents from Ontario for the purpose of importing the animal carcasses into the United States.

Schmit pleaded guilty to a single offense on June 16, 2016, and was sentenced to a $1,000 fine, the forfeiture of the black bear, and a ban on hunting, fishing, and/or trapping in North America until January 1, 2019.  Viertel pleaded guilty to two offenses on June 21, 2016, and was sentenced to 3 years’ probation to include at least 25 hours per year of environmental community service, forfeiture of the wolf and black bear, and a ban on hunting, fishing, and/or trapping in North America until January 1, 2021.  Viertel also was ordered to serve the 2016 dear gun season (November 19 – 27) in the custody of the United States Bureau of Prisons and to pay the cost of his incarceration.  Both Viertel and Schmit also were convicted in Ontario, Canada, for their illegal hunting activities.

United States Attorney Haanstad explained that the prosecution of offenders who intentionally violate wildlife laws helps protect and preserve natural resources both within and outside the United States.  United States Attorney Haanstad thanked the OMNR and the USFWS for their work and cooperation on this and similar investigations. 

The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Paul L. Kanter.

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Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that that on June 13, 2016, Loni M. Tepiew (age: 28) of the Menominee Indian Reservation was sentenced this morning to federal prison by Chief United States District Judge William C. Griesbach.  Tepiew previously entered a guilty plea for an assault on her minor child which resulted in serious bodily injury contrary to Title 18, United States Code, Sections 113(a)(6) and 1153.  

According to the plea agreement and other documents filed with the court, Tepiew fractured her 19-month-old child’s skull with a shoe and inflicted multiple bruises and other injuries to the child’s body.  Further, she failed to seek medical attention for the child for a period of approximately six days.  Based on a report, the Menominee Tribal Police ultimately entered the residence and rescued the child.             

In pronouncing the sentence, Chief Judge Griesbach classified the crime as a “brutal beating” that “cried out for justice.”  The defendant requested that she be placed on probation in lieu of incarceration. Ultimately, the judge determined that this “very, very, serious offense” was worthy of 48 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.     

The case was investigated by the Menominee Tribal Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.

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Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, has announced that a former Milwaukee Police Department detective pleaded guilty today to depriving an arrestee of his civil rights by assaulting him while he was handcuffed to an interview-room wall. 

Rodolfo Gomez, Jr. (age 49) pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Pamela Pepper of the Eastern District of Wisconsin to depriving an in-custody suspect of his civil rights under color of law in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 242.

In connection with his guilty plea, Gomez admitted that he repeatedly punched the victim in the face and head and kneed him in the torso, all while one of the victim’s hands was handcuffed to a wall in an interview room. Gomez stopped punching and kicking the victim when a police lieutenant who heard yelling entered the room.  In pleading guilty, Gomez acknowledged that the force used was unreasonable and that the victim suffered bodily injury.

“Protecting citizens’ civil rights is a top priority of the United States Attorney’s Office and the Department of Justice, said United States Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad.  “So is working to enhance the public trust in police.  This case involved criminal conduct that implicates both of these priorities.  When a law enforcement officer abuses his authority in this way, he not only violates the civil rights of a person in police custody, but he also undermines public trust and makes it more difficult for good, dedicated police officers to do their jobs.”

This case was investigated by the FBI, building upon an earlier investigation done by the Milwaukee Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by United States Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad and Assistant United States Attorney Mel S. Johnson.

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Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced today the unsealing of a federal indictment charging eighteen defendants with conspiring to distribute 1 kilogram or more of heroin.  If convicted, the defendants face a maximum term of life imprisonment, as well as a mandatory minimum term of ten years. 

The defendants charged in the indictment are:

Edgardo Q. RIVERA, age, 45

Edgar VELEZ, age 51

Carlos DAVID, age 47

Eddie RIVERA, age 34

Justo CAPELES, age 45

Jose E. DEANDA, age 34

Omayra RIVERA, age 40

Edgardo S. RIVERA, age 27

Jorge FONTANEZ-MASSO, age 28

Jose SANTOS-MARTI, age 23

Isaac ELENA-LEONARDO, age 25

Ramon ELIZONDO, age 44

Brenda FONTANEZ-MASSO, age 43

Carlos VELASQUEZ, age 44

Luis DIAZ, age 23

Emerito QUILES, age 64

Jason RIVERA, age 35

Jaime M. VEGA, age 19

Earlier today, federal, state, and local law enforcement agents and officers arrested seventeen of these defendants, who had been residing in Milwaukee, Kenosha, and Chicago.  The other defendant named in the indictment, Eddie Rivera, is still at large.

The agents and officers also executed a number of search warrants in the Milwaukee and Kenosha areas, resulting in the seizure of distribution quantities of heroin and cocaine; sixteen firearms; and approximately $150,000 in cash.

United States Attorney Haanstad, in announcing the federal charges, arrests, and search warrants, said, “There is a heroin epidemic in Milwaukee and the surrounding areas.  The dangers of heroin trafficking and abuse have been escalating and present an urgent public safety and public health crisis.  Investigations and prosecutions like this one are an integral component of the collaborative effort among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to deal with that public safety and public health crisis.”            

The investigating agencies included the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Milwaukee Police Department (MPD), and the Wisconsin High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force.

DEA Milwaukee Assistant Special Agent in Charge Robert Bell praised this collaborative effort.  “Working closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and joining resources with our state and local law enforcement partners make significant operational successes possible.  Together, we will continue to hold violent gangs accountable for the opioid and heroin-related deaths and addiction they cause in our communities.  At the same time, we will keep working closely with prevention and treatment specialists to raise the public’s understanding of the risks, reduce demand and provide paths to recovery.”

Captain Jeffery Micklitz of the Milwaukee Police Department stated, “The Milwaukee Police Department’s Narcotics Division, as part of the Wisconsin High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) is pleased to have worked with the DEA, U.S. Attorney’s Office, and other local law enforcement partners in this investigation, which is tied to overdose deaths.  We are optimistic that these arrests will have an impact on the heroin epidemic in and around the Milwaukee community and we urge those addicted to seek treatment.”

“These arrests are yet another example of our collective resolve to relentlessly pursue and dismantle drug trafficking organizations from top to bottom,” said James M. Gibbons, acting special agent in charge of HSI Chicago. “HSI and its law enforcement partners are committed to stopping the networks that funnel dangerous drugs onto our streets and spread violence into our communities.”

Agencies who assisted with the arrests and search warrants include the Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations, Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Marshals Service, Wisconsin Department of Justice – Division of Criminal Investigations, Wisconsin State Patrol, Wisconsin Department of Corrections, Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office, Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department, Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department, West Allis Police Department, Wauwatosa Police Department, Greenfield Police Department, Kenosha Police Department, South Milwaukee Police Department. 

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mario Gonzales of the United States Attorney’s Office.

An indictment is merely the formal method of charging an individual and does not constitute inference of his or her guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until such time, if ever, that the government establishes his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on June 7, 2016, a federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment against Jeremy M. Peters (age: 29) of Keshena, Wisconsin, charging him with a count of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury in violation of 18 United States Code, Sections 113(a)(6) and 1153(a). If convicted of the offense, the defendant faces a sentence of up to 10 years imprisonment, a two hundred and fifty thousand dollar fine, and up to 3 years of supervised release.

According to the indictment, Peters, who is an enrolled member of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, assaulted another member of the tribe, causing serious injury including a broken facial bone.

The case was investigated by the Menominee Tribal Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Maier.

The public is cautioned that an indictment is merely a charge and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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United States Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad announced today that two Milwaukee men were sentenced for a series of carjackings that occurred in Greenfield and Oak Creek, Wisconsin in August 2015.  The superseding indictment charged Devonte Hayes (age: 19) and Norman Howard (age: 18) with attempted motor vehicle robbery in Greenfield, Wisconsin, on August 18, 2015, and brandishing a firearm during that crime, which carries a 7-year mandatory minimum.  They were also charged with a motor vehicle robbery on August 12, 2015, in Oak Creek, Wisconsin.  Lastly, defendant Hayes was charged with a motor vehicle robbery in Greenfield on August 11, 2015. 

The defendants used carjacked cars to commit further carjackings.  During the carjacking on August 18, 2015, Hayes pointed a firearm at the victim while he demanded keys to her car.  After speeding away from the scene, the defendants engaged in a high-speed chase with law enforcement and were apprehended after a foot pursuit. 

Devonte Hayes, pleaded guilty to two counts of motor vehicle robbery, one count of attempted motor vehicle robbery, and one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. On March 10, 2016, the Honorable J.P. Stadtmueller sentenced Hayes to 156 months (13 years) in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. 

Norman Howard, pleaded guilty to one count of motor vehicle robbery and one count of attempted motor vehicle robbery.  On May 19, 2016, the Honorable J.P. Stadtmueller sentenced Howard to 90 months (7 ½ years) in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. 

This matter was investigated by the FBI’s Milwaukee Area Violent Crimes Task Force, the Greenfield Police Department, the Oak Creek Police Department, the West Allis Police Department, and the Milwaukee Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Margaret B. Honrath.

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United States Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad announced today that three Milwaukee men were indicted for the July 15, 2015 armed carjacking near Wick Field in Milwaukee.  Sean Harvey (age: 24), Broderick Moore, (age: 23), and Robert Ellis, (age: 25), were charged with one count of motor vehicle robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Harvey is also charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine base and felon in possession of a firearm.   

If convicted, each man faces up to 15 years in prison on the motor vehicle robbery count and a minimum mandatory sentence of 7 years and up to life in prison on the charge of brandishing of a firearm during a crime of violence. 

This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Milwaukee Area Violent Crimes Task Force and the Milwaukee Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Margaret B. Honrath.

The public is cautioned that an indictment is merely a charge and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced today that Merwin J. Wynos, Jr., (age: 28) of Neopit, Wisconsin, was sentenced to three years in federal prison by Chief United States District Judge William C. Griesbach. The sentence also included three years of supervised release and restitution for damaged or destroyed property of a convenience store.       

Wynos previously entered a guilty plea for his assault on a Menominee Tribal Police officer, in violation of Title 18, United States Code Section 111(a)(1) and 111(b), which followed the burglary of a convenience store in Keshena, Wisconsin, in violation of Title 18, United States Code Section 1153(a) and (b) and Wisconsin Statute Section 943.10(2).

According to the plea agreement and other documents filed with the court, Wynos,  participated in the theft of items from the convenience store and then nearly struck an officer from the Menominee Tribal Police Department when that officer responded to the burglar alarm. Wynos led tribal police and officers with the Menominee County Sheriff’s Office on a high speed chase that ended in Shawano County when Wynos crashed the car he was driving.

In pronouncing the sentence, Chief Judge Griesbach noted the extremely serious nature of the offense which included nearly striking the officer with the car, as well as the lengthy criminal history of Mr. Wynos.

The case was investigated by the Menominee Tribal Police Department, Menominee County Sheriff’s Office, and Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William J. Roach.

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Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on May 17, 2016, Brian L. Kelley (age: 36) of the Menominee Indian Reservation was sentenced to federal prison by Chief United States District Judge William C. Griesbach. Kelley had previously entered a guilty plea for inducing and enticing an underage victim to engage in prostitution contrary to Title 18, United States Code, Section 2422(b). According to the plea agreement and other documents filed with the court, Kelley used his position as a barber shop owner and bait shop proprietor to hire minors for the purpose of paying them in return for sexual activities.             

In pronouncing sentence, Chief Judge Griesbach noted the serious nature of the charges and that the sentence is in the best interest of the public and especially the victims, stating “the real damage here is to the victims”. Ultimately, Kelley was sentenced to 72 months in federal prison followed by 10 years of supervised release.     

The case was investigated by the Menominee Tribal Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.

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Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on May 17, 2016, a federal grand jury returned an indictment against Edward J. Brantley (age: 38) of Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Brantley faces charges alleging he was a felon in possession of a firearm, possessed cocaine base with the intent to distribute, and possessed a firearm in furtherance of a drug conspiracy, contrary to Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1), 924(c)(1)(A), and Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a) and 841(b)(1)(B). He faces penalties ranging from a mandatory ten years imprisonment up to a life sentence, a $5,000,000 fine, and a lifetime of supervised release.

This case was investigated by the Brown County Drug Task Force comprised of investigators from the Brown County Sheriff’s Department, Green Bay Police Department, Ashwaubenon Public Safety Department, and the De Pere Police Department.  The case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.    

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Today, Gregory J. Haanstad, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that Theresa Anthony (age 38) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, entered a plea of guilty in federal court.  Anthony pleaded guilty to a one-count indictment that charged her with converting Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”) payments to a use other than for the use of the intended beneficiaries, in violation of Title 42, United States Code, Section 408(a)(5).  The offense has maximum penalties of five years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and three years’ of supervised release.  Anthony will be sentenced before the Honorable Lynn S. Adelman on August 5, 2016.

SSI benefits are payable under Title XVI of the Social Security Act for aged, blind, and disabled persons with little or no income or resources.  A “representative payee” is an individual or organization appointed by the Social Security Administration to receive and manage the SSI benefits of another person.

The indictment against Anthony charged that she acted through an entity known as City Transformation, Ltd., which successfully applied to serve as representative payee to receive and manage SSI benefit payments on behalf of numerous disabled or otherwise-qualified beneficiaries in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  In her role as Executive Director of City Transformation, Ltd., Anthony converted SSI payments received by City Transformation, Ltd. and intended for the use and benefit of others to her own use and that of City Transformation, Ltd.

Specifically, as part of her plea, Anthony has admitted that on or about March 18, 2011, she diverted SSI payments from a collective representative payee account maintained by City Transformation, Ltd. to a general business account maintained by City Transformation, Ltd., and then withdrew approximately $22,364.93 from that general account so that City Transformation, Ltd. could purchase Milwaukee real estate from the defendant.

Anthony has also admitted that the March 18, 2011 transactions were part of an ongoing course of conduct involving the misuse of SSI funds.  As part of her plea, she has agreed to pay restitution in the amount of approximately $250,000.  

The case was investigated by the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan H. Koenig.

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United States Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad, of the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced that the grand jury has today indicted Ronald Van Den Heuvel (age: 62) of De Pere, his spouse Kelly Van Den Heuvel (age: 52) of De Pere and Paul Piikkila (age: 53), of Appleton on a series of criminal charges based on a scheme to fraudulently obtain loans from Horicon Bank, a federally insured financial institution operating at various Wisconsin locations. The indictment alleges that these loans were obtained on the basis of false representations. 

In 2008 and 2009, Ronald Van Den Heuvel was a Green Bay businessman operating various business entities. Kelly Van Den Heuvel was his wife who also had her own corporation.  Paul Piikkila was a loan officer at Horicon Bank. 

The indictment alleges that Mr. Piikkila approved a series of loans totaling more than $1 million for the benefit of the Van Den Heuvels and their business entities.  Horicon Bank had instructed Mr. Piikkila not to loan any money to Mr. Van Den Heuvel so none of the loans discussed in the indictment are to him by name.  Many of the loans were made to straw borrowers who did not receive the money and were not expected to pay it back.  The loans were not used for the business purposes represented on the loan applications and the collateral offered by Mr. Van Den Heuvel was inadequate to secure the loans. 

Count One of the indictment charges all three defendants with conspiring to carry out this illegal scheme in violation of Title 18 United States Code § 371.  The maximum penalty for Count One is imprisonment for not more than five years, a fine of not more than $250,000, or both, plus a mandatory $100 special assessment and a period of supervised release not to exceed three years.

Counts Two, Four, Six, Eight, Ten, Twelve and Thirteen each charge Ronald Van Den Heuvel with executions of a bank fraud scheme in violation of Title 18 United States Code § 1344.  Kelly Van Den Heuvel is charged only in Count Ten.  On each of these counts, a convicted defendant would face imprisonment for not more than 30 years, a fine of not more than $1 million, or both, plus the mandatory $100 special assessment and a term of supervised release not to exceed five years.

Counts Three, Five, Seven, Nine, and Eleven each charge Ronald Van Den Heuvel with making false statements to influence the action of a federal insured financial institution on a loan in violation of Title 18 United States Code  § 1014.  Kelly Van Den Heuvel is charged only in Count Eleven.  Anyone convicted on any of these counts, would face imprisonment for not more than 30 years, a fine of not more than $1 million, or both, plus a mandatory $100 special assessment and a term of supervised release not to exceed five years.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Mel S. Johnson and Matthew D. Krueger.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.          

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United States Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad of the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on April 5, 2016, a federal grand jury returned an indictment against Dominique M. Hope (age: 23) and Tamara R. Rudd (age: 23) both of Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

Hope faces charges alleging he was a felon in possession of a firearm, possessed marijuana with the intent to distribute, and possessed a firearm in furtherance of a drug conspiracy, contrary to Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1), 924(c)(1)(A), and Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a) and 841(b)(1)(D). He faces penalties ranging from a mandatory five years imprisonment up to a life sentence, a $500,000 fine, and a lifetime of supervised release.

The allegation against Rudd contends that she aided and abetted Hope’s possession of a firearm knowing he was a convicted felon, contrary to Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g) and 2. She faces up to 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years of supervised release.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Manitowoc County MEG Unit, the City of Manitowoc Police Department, and the Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Office.  The case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove them guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.    

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