Western District of Wisconsin

MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, today announced the results of his office’s emphasis on prosecuting violent crimes involving firearms.  The U.S. Department of Justice announced that nationwide, more than 14,200 defendants have been charged with firearms-related crimes during Fiscal Year 2020.  In the Western District of Wisconsin, 56 defendants have been charged. 

According to U.S. Attorney Blader, the number of gun crimes prosecuted by his office has risen by over 100% between 2017 and 2019.  The types of gun crimes subject to federal prosecution include felons in possession of firearms or ammunition; business and bank robberies while armed; drug distribution while armed; false statements made to federal firearms licensees; those previously convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence; those subject to domestic protection orders; and those prohibited from possessing a firearm such as illegal aliens, users of illegal drugs, and those with a prior mental health adjudication.     

“The number one priority of government is to keep its citizens safe,” said Attorney General William Barr. “By preventing firearms from falling into the hands of individuals who are prohibited from having them, we can stop violent crime before it happens. Violating federal firearms laws is a serious crime and offenders face serious consequences.  The Department of Justice is committed to investigating and prosecuting individuals who illegally buy, sell, use, or possess firearms. Reducing gun violence requires a coordinated effort, and we could not have charged more than 14,000 individuals with firearms-related crimes without the hard work of the dedicated law enforcement professionals at the ATF, our U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country, and especially all of our state and local law enforcement partners.”

“Those who commit crimes with firearms undermine the safety and security of Wisconsin communities,” said U.S. Attorney Blader.  “My office is committed to working with federal, state and local investigators, in cooperation with Wisconsin’s District Attorneys, to target offenders who use guns in crimes, felons who illegally possess firearms, and those who attempt to buy guns illegally.”

In addition to investigations by federal law enforcement agents, the U.S. Attorney’s Office works closely with local and state law enforcement and prosecutors to identify the cases most appropriate for federal prosecution.  Often felons in possession or firearms or ammunition come to light during a local investigation for domestic violence, drug distribution or use, battery, disorderly conduct, and other violations of state law.

Some recent examples of the types of cases prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office include:

• A man was found passed out behind the wheel of his car in Monona, Wisconsin, and a loaded 9mm pistol was found in the center console of the vehicle.  The firearm was traced; it had been purchased by Lidia Molina.  After further investigation, a total of six people were prosecuted:  Molina was prosecuted for the “straw purchase” of several firearms.  Molina lied on the required forms during the purchase of firearms, falsely claiming that she was the actual buyer of the firearms, when in fact she was purchasing them for her boyfriend, Francesco Anglin, a felon.  Anglin turned over firearms to Jamohn Barney, the man found passed out in his car, and Sean Okray, who each had prior felony convictions.  Barney was sentenced to 66 months and Okray was sentenced to 46 months.  Anglin is scheduled to be sentenced on October 21.  Molina received three years of probation.  A sixth individual, Tahjmalyk Porter, who was a felon and went to an area gun store with Molina and Anglin where he was captured on store video handling a semiautomatic rifle, was sentenced to two years of probation.

• A hospital in Eau Claire came into contact with a minor who said Lamont Davis, who had prior felony convictions, was drunk, physically abusive to his children, and had a gun.  Eau Claire police officers responded to Davis’s residence and arrested him after finding him in possession of a 9mm pistol.  Davis reached for his weapon when the officers encountered him.  At Davis’s sentencing, the judge said Davis caused domestic disturbances that terrorized his girlfriend and children, and sentenced him to 30 months.  

• Curtis Green was a suspect in a shooting in West Salem, Wisconsin, and the execution of a search warrant at his home during that investigation resulted in the location of a firearm.  Green was sentenced to 57 months for being a felon in possession of the firearm.  At the time, he was on supervised release following his prison term for a 2006 conviction for the theft of 38 firearms from a federally licensed firearms dealer, and his sentenced was increased by an additional 12 months for the revocation of his supervised release. 

• Martell Norris, a kilogram-level drug dealer in the Madison area, was sentenced to two concurrent 15-year prison terms for possessing crack cocaine for distribution and being a felon in possession of a loaded firearm.  He was considered an armed career criminal under federal law because he previously had been convicted of three violent felonies. 

• Robert J. Powell IV was captured on city cameras in La Crosse discharging a handgun into the air during an early morning fight on a street.  Although the firearm Powell used was never recovered, a shell casing and a round of ammunition were recovered.  Powell was sentenced to 30 months for being a felon in possession of ammunition. 

• Steven Gillis was subject to a domestic order of protection issued in Minnesota.  Two months after the order was issued, he attempted to purchase a firearm from a federal firearms dealer in Wisconsin and said he was not subject to such a restraining order.  A criminal background check resulted in the purchase being denied due to the active protection order.  He was convicted of making the false statement and served over nine months in federal custody.

• Nicholas K. Murn was sentenced to nine years in federal prison for committing armed robberies of five Rock County businesses during a two-week period of time in October 2019.  Murn requested a sentence of seven years because of his lack of a prior criminal record, but the sentencing judge denied this request due to the trauma Murn inflicted on the victims, the employees of the businesses.

• Patrick Staton initiated a confrontation outside of his Douglas County home, arming himself with a firearm.  Staton was subsequently was shot by another individual in self-defense.  During a search of Staton’s residence, law enforcement officers found three firearms and ammunition, including an AR-15 style rifle.  All three guns had been stolen in Minnesota.  Staton, who was prohibited from possessing firearms due to several prior felony convictions, was sentenced to 72 months.

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Marnell D. Davis, 35, Chicago, Illinois was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 5 years in federal prison for distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.  This prison term will be followed by 4 years of supervised release.  

On March 27, 2020, Davis sold 54 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.  Then, on April 7, 2020, Davis arranged for the sale of a quarter pound of methamphetamine and 5 grams of heroin to the same confidential informant.  Law enforcement officers observed Davis arrive at the agreed upon location in Menomonie, Wisconsin.  They made contact with Davis and arrested him for the prior methamphetamine sale.  Officers searched Davis and his vehicle and found 113.4 grams of methamphetamine, 5.3 grams of heroin, and $9,380 in cash.  At the time of both of these events, Davis was out on bond for a state criminal case involving possession with intent to deliver cocaine. 

The charge against Davis was the result of an investigation conducted by the West Central Drug Task Force; Chippewa County, Dunn County, and Eau Claire County Sheriffs’ Departments; Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, and Menomonie Police Departments; Chippewa County and Dunn County District Attorneys’ Offices; and the Drug Enforcement Administration.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven P. Anderson. 

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Patrick Staton, 30, Town of Maple, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 72 months in federal prison for possessing three firearms and ammunition as a felon.  This prison term will be followed by three years of supervised release.  

The investigation in this case stems from a confrontation initiated by Staton outside of his home in Maple on September 1, 2019.  During that confrontation, Staton armed himself with a firearm and was subsequently shot by another individual in self-defense.  Officers executed a search warrant at Staton’s residence on September 2, 2019, at which time they located three firearms and ammunition, including an AR-15 style rifle with seven additional magazines. All three guns had previously been reported stolen in Minnesota.  Staton is prohibited from possessing any firearms or ammunition as a result of several Wisconsin felony convictions.

At sentencing, Judge Peterson recognized that Staton represents a threat to the public given his “hot head” nature.  Judge Peterson also noted that this was not the first time Staton had been shot, and that incident as well as his prior felonies failed to deter him from possessing firearms.  Judge Peterson also considered the injuries Staton sustained as a result of his conduct in this case, which included brain damage and the limited use of his right hand for the rest of his life.     

The charge against Staton was the result of an investigation conducted by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office; Superior Police Department; Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; St. Louis County (Minnesota) Sheriff’s Office; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor L. Kraus. 

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Joshua Stein, 30, Cornell, Wisconsin was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 10 years in federal prison for possessing more than 50 grams of methamphetamine for distribution, and for possessing a firearm in connection with his drug trafficking.   Each of these crimes carries a five-year minimum mandatory sentence, which Judge Conley ordered to run consecutive to one another.   Stein pleaded guilty to these charges on July 14, 2020.

The charges originated from the execution of a search warrant at Stein’s home in Cornell on April 8, 2019 by investigators with the West Central Drug Task Force.  Investigators found over 84 grams of methamphetamine, scales and packaging material, as well as a number of handguns and ammunition. Police had been investigating Stein in the previous months and made a number of undercover purchases of methamphetamine from him during that time, which enabled them to ultimately obtain the search warrant. 

The charges against Stein were the result of an investigation conducted by the West Central Drug Task Force.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Anderson.

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Rojae A. Crosse, 23, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 5 months in prison for possessing a firearm as a felon.  When imposing the sentence, Judge Peterson considered that Crosse has been in custody for the past 10 months on state charges and unable to bond out because of the pending federal charges. Crosse pleaded guilty to this federal offense on July 17, 2020. 

On April 29, 2019, law enforcement officers were trying to locate a vehicle that they believed was involved in an armed robbery.  They saw the vehicle at a Mobil gas station in Sun Prairie and one squad car pulled in front of it as another squad car pulled in behind it.  Crosse got out of the vehicle and as the officers parked, he started running, and officers chased him.  During the chase, officers saw Crosse take off a leather jacket and drop it on the ground.  Officers found a firearm in the inside pocket of the jacket.  Crosse was previously convicted of a felony and as a result, it was illegal for him to have a gun. 

The charge against Crosse was the result of an investigation conducted by the Madison Police Department, Sun Prairie Police Department, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth Altman and Timothy M. O’Shea.

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Farkhanda Muhammad, 34, Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to six months in federal prison for fraudulently representing that a Social Security number was hers to apply for a Madison apartment.  Muhammad pled guilty to this charge on July 14, 2020. 

During the sentencing hearing, the parties and Court discussed Muhammad’s broader scheme to rent apartments—in Madison and elsewhere—for people using false Social Security numbers and identities.  In particular, the government and Court noted that, out of the six Madison apartments that Muhammad rented using false names and Social Security numbers, four were for Martell Norris.  Norris was a kilogram-level cocaine dealer that Judge Peterson sentenced to 15 years in federal prison on January 23, 2020.  Judge Peterson found that, although Muhammad was not directly implicated in Norris’s drug sales, she “turned a blind eye” to how Norris used the apartments to sustain his cocaine distribution network.  In addition to the six-month prison term, the Court directed Muhammad to pay $17,945 to the apartment building owners.   

The charge against Muhammad was the result of an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, the Social Security Administration, and the Chicago Police Department.   First Assistant United States Attorney Timothy M. O’Shea prosecuted the case. 

MADISON, WIS. – United States Attorney Scott C. Blader announced today that a Madison, Wisconsin resident has been charged with attempting to damage and destroy by means of fire the City-County Building on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard during the civil unrest that occurred in Madison on June 24, 2020.  Marquon Clark, 26, was charged in a one-count complaint filed in U.S. District Court today.

The complaint alleges that Clark threw projectiles through windows of the City-County Building, and then threw a lit roll of paper towels through the broken windows.  The complaint alleges that at the time, the building was occupied by over 250 people, including 182 adults and juveniles being held in the jail.  Clark’s actions led to a fire in the City-County Building that resulted in approximately $105,000 in damages and clean-up costs. 

Clark is in custody at the Dane County Jail.  His initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Madison has not been scheduled.

“Throwing burning objects into an occupied government building is not protest, it is a crime that places lives at risk,” said U.S. Attorney Blader.  “Those who engage in such conduct without regard for the potentially deadly consequences will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

If convicted, Clark faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum of 20 years in federal prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Dane County Sheriff’s Office; Madison Police Department; and the Madison Fire Investigation Team. 

You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that on Friday, October 2, Ahmad Kanan, 49, Madison, Wisconsin, pleaded guilty to two separate federal crimes charged in two separate indictments:  Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act fraud and access device fraud.

While acting on behalf of Altin Labs, Inc. as its Chief Executive Officer and majority owner, Kanan applied for two Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans funded by the CARES Act.  Specifically, in April 2020, Kanan applied for a $72,500 PPP loan through the Bank of Kaukauna in Kaukauna, Wisconsin.  The Bank of Kaukauna noted a discrepancy in the spelling of Kanan’s name in the application, and Altin Labs did not receive these funds.  In May 2020, Kanan again applied for a PPP loan, requesting $47,060 through Cross River Bank located in New Jersey.  This time, Altin Labs received the funds.  Kanan admitted that in his PPP applications, he used a false spelling of his name and indicated that he was not under indictment on criminal charges, when in fact he was the subject of an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin in October 2019, charging him with access device fraud. 

The separate access device charges related to two family-owned gas stations that Kanan operated in Janesville, Wisconsin.  Kanan admitted to using the routing and account numbers from the bank account of the Embassy of Libya-Military Attaché to pay to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue sales and use tax, penalties, and interest owed by his gas stations in the amount of $83,783.41 in July 2017, and $108,053.02 in December 2017.  The Libyan Embassy did not give Kanan permission to use their bank account to make these payments. 

U.S. District Judge William M. Conley scheduled sentencing for January 6, 2021.  Kanan faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on the CARES Act fraud and 10 years on the access device fraud. 

The charges against Kanan are the result of investigations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, with the assistance of the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, the U.S. State Department, and the Small Business Administration.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office would like to thank the Libyan Embassy for its cooperation.  

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary Corey and Meredith Duchemin are handling the prosecution.

MADISON, WIS. – The United States Attorney’s Office, in conjunction with the Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced today that a federal investigation found insufficient evidence to pursue federal criminal civil rights charges for an alleged hate crime reported to have occurred on June 24, 2020, in Madison, Wisconsin.  A woman reported that on June 24, 2020, she was attacked while stopped at a stoplight by four men who sprayed her with a flammable liquid, threw a lit object to ignite the fluid, and thereby inflicted burns to her face and neck.  Federal and local agents met with the complainant and her representatives to inform them of the findings of the investigation and the decision to close the federal inquiry.

A team of experienced federal prosecutors from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Wisconsin and the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division worked with FBI and state and local law enforcement agents to conduct a comprehensive investigation of the events of June 24, 2020.  The federal investigation sought to determine whether the evidence was sufficient to prove beyond a reasonable doubt a violation of the federal civil rights statutes, including Title 18, United States Code, Section 249.  Section 249 criminalizes willfully causing bodily injury to a person because of that person’s actual or perceived race. 

After a thorough investigation into the events of June 24, 2020, including extensive interviews, exhaustive review of traffic and surveillance video, and expert review of digital and forensic evidence, federal investigators determined that there is insufficient evidence to prove that a violation of any federal criminal statute occurred.  Further, after reviewing all available evidence, authorities could not establish that the attack, as alleged by the complainant, had occurred.  Accordingly, the federal investigation into this incident has been closed based on the lack of evidence. 

The Justice Department is committed to investigations of allegations of bias-motivated violence and will continue to devote the resources required to ensure that allegations of civil rights violations are fully and completely investigated.  The Department aggressively prosecutes criminal civil rights violations whenever there is sufficient evidence to do so.

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Travis Hanson, 40, Eau Claire, Wisconsin was sentenced on Friday, September 25 by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 10 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and heroin.   This prison term will be followed by eight years of supervised release.  Hanson pleaded guilty to this charge on July 6, 2020.

On February 6, 2020 and February 20, 2020, Hanson sold heroin to a confidential informant.  On February 25, 2020, law enforcement officers conducted surveillance on Hanson.  He was observed driving from his hotel in Menominee, Wisconsin to meet his drug source in St. Paul, Minnesota.  Hanson and his girlfriend returned to Menominee, with the drug source following in a separate vehicle.  They were all taken into custody upon arrival back in Menominee.  In the drug source’s car, officers located 236 grams of methamphetamine, 11.5 grams of heroin, small amounts of crack cocaine and marijuana, as well as a digital scale and baggies.

In an interview with law enforcement, Hanson admitted to being involved in drug trafficking and selling large quantities of methamphetamine.  He admitted to travelling to St. Paul to meet his drug source and that he was supposed to help his source sell the methamphetamine and heroin discovered by law enforcement. 

The charge against Hanson was the result of an investigation conducted by the West Central Drug Task Force; Chippewa County, Dunn County, and Eau Claire County Sheriffs’ Departments; Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, and Menomonie Police Departments; Drug Enforcement Administration; and Dunn County District Attorney’s Office.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven P. Anderson. 

MADISON, WIS. – United States Attorney Scott C. Blader announced today that two individuals have been charged with attempting to damage and destroy by means of fire two commercial buildings during the civil unrest that occurred in Madison, Wisconsin on August 25, 2020.  Anessa Fierro, 27, and Willie Johnson, 45, both of Madison, are charged in two-count complaints filed in U.S. District Court this week.

The complaints allege that Fierro and Johnson broke glass windows and doors in two commercial buildings, poured liquid from a gasoline container into the buildings, and attempted to ignite the fluid.  The complaint alleges that Fierro and Johnson successfully started a fire at one building and were attempting to ignite the liquid poured into the second building when Madison police officers arrived on scene.  According to the complaint, the second building contained residential apartments, some of which were occupied at the time of the attempted arson.  Fierro and Johnson were identified through video surveillance recovered as part of the investigation. 

Fierro and Johnson were arrested in Madison today by ATF agents and Madison police officers.  Their initial appearances in U.S. District Court in Madison have not been scheduled.

“Arson is not protest, it is a crime that places the entire community at extreme risk,” said U.S. Attorney Blader.  “Those who attempt to terrorize the community through such violent crimes will be vigorously prosecuted by the United States Department of Justice.”

“Arson is a phenomenally violent crime,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Terry Henderson, of the St. Paul Field Division. “A fire can ravage buildings in mere minutes, putting every occupant or passerby at risk of serious injury or death. Arsonists must be held accountable for their actions.”

If convicted, Fierro and Johnson face a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum of 20 years in federal prison on each count. The charges against them are the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Madison Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Chadwick M. Elgersma is handling the prosecution.

You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Ramon Howard, 37, Portage, Wisconsin, was sentenced Friday, September 18, by U.S. District Judge William Conley to nine years in federal prison for three bank robberies.   Howard pleaded guilty to these charges on June 25, 2020.

Over the course of two weeks in September 2019, Howard robbed a bank and two credit unions in Madison, Wisconsin.  He robbed the Associated Bank on East Towne Boulevard on September 13, the Summit Credit Union on Thierer Road on September 16, and the UW Credit Union on Northport Drive on September 26.   

After the September 26 robbery, Howard and his co-defendant Antonio Rowe fled in a vehicle.  Rowe drove at high speeds through residential neighborhoods, striking other vehicles and eventually crashing on East Washington Avenue.  Howard and Rowe both fled on foot but were apprehended by Madison police.  Howard was in possession of the stolen cash.

When sentencing Howard to nine years in prison for these bank robberies, Judge Conley noted that Howard has spent his adult life incarcerated or under supervision.  At age 15, Howard was prosecuted as an adult for robbing and assaulting an elderly man.  Judge Conley said that Howard frightened and traumatized the bank tellers, particularly in the last robbery where Howard threatened to kill them.  Judge Conley remarked that these were serious offenses and that Howard would be held accountable for this “indefensible conduct.”  In his allocution, Howard thanked the police department for how they handled his arrest, saying that it could have ended much worse.

Antonio Rowe has pleaded guilty to committing the September 13 and September 26 robberies with Howard, and to robbing the BMO Harris Bank on Sherman Avenue on September 10, 2019.  Rowe will be sentenced by Judge Conley on October 20.

The charges against Howard and Rowe were the result of an investigation conducted by the Madison Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey C. Stephan. 

MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Crystal Austin, 40, Belton, Missouri was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 65 months in federal prison, for conspiring with Shelly Scott, Jason Edge, and others to commit wire fraud throughout the country.  Austin was ordered to pay restitution of over $860,000 to Walmart, Inc., jointly with the other conspirators.  

Between November 2016 and February 2018, Austin, Scott, Edge and others conspired to defraud Walmart, Inc. through use of stolen personal checks, identity fraud, and methods to bypass electronic check authorization measures, resulting in a loss of over $860,000 to Walmart.  The group used stolen identification cards of real people to perpetuate this fraud in 18 states, using more than 14 different stolen checking accounts.  Austin and other co-conspirators would present a stolen check and false identification at the time of payment, and when the check was declined, the person presenting the check would pretend to call the check authorization company, when in fact, they would call a co-conspirator.  The co-conspirator would tell the clerk to accept the check, and the transaction would be complete. 

Scott and Edge were arrested by Monona Police on February 25, 2018, after Walmart employees became suspicious of their behavior. They were sentenced to 48 months in federal prison in November 2018 after pleading guilty for their roles in this fraud scheme.

Crystal Austin and conspirators Heather Bishop and Jennifer Austin were charged in this conspiracy and arrested in December 2019.  Bishop and Jennifer Austin have also agreed to plead guilty to the conspiracy and are scheduled for guilty pleas and sentencing later this year.

In sentencing Austin, Judge Conley noted that this conspiracy involved not only Walmart as a victim, but also those whose identities and bank accounts were used in the fraud.  He also considered as aggravating factors Austin’s lengthy criminal history, and the fact that she was on probation in several states for similar crimes while she engaged in this conspiracy.  Finally, Judge Conley noted that Austin had at least a five-year period after her last prison sentence when she appeared to live a law-abiding life, and urged her to take part in treatment programs in prison to figure out why she again resorted back to criminal behavior.  Judge Conley recommend both mental health and substance abuse treatment.  

The charges against Crystal Austin and her co-conspirators were the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Monona and Sun Prairie Police Departments, and police departments throughout the country, with the assistance of Walmart fraud investigators.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura A. Przybylinski Finn.

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Michael Alexander, 54, Medford, Wisconsin, pleaded guilty and was sentenced yesterday by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 49 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.  

Alexander was convicted in 2016 in Taylor County, Wisconsin, of felony possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.  He was sentenced to six years confinement in prison to be followed by eight years of extended supervision.  Alexander was released from prison in May 2019 – approximately three years early – after completing the earned release program.

On December 29, 2019, Alexander was driving a car in Rib Mountain, Wisconsin, and was stopped by a Marathon County sheriff’s deputy.  Alexander was wearing an empty holster.  The deputy later found a .45 caliber handgun with a loaded magazine in a tool bag in the back seat.  Alexander admitted that the gun was his and said that he used it for shooting feral cats on his property.  Alexander also admitted that marijuana and methamphetamine found in the trunk were his, and described himself as a small-time dealer.

In sentencing Alexander, Judge Peterson commented on the violation of trust that was placed in him by the early prison release and noted the danger that came along with guns being involved with drug transactions.  Alexander was sentenced to 37 months in state prison after his supervision was revoked; the 49-month federal sentence imposed by Judge Peterson will be served concurrently with the time remaining on the state sentence.

The charge against Alexander was the result of an investigation conducted by the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan.

This case has been brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Department’s program to reduce violent crime.  The PSN approach emphasizes coordination between state and federal prosecutors and all levels of law enforcement to address gun crime, especially felons illegally possessing firearms and ammunition, and violent crimes and drug crimes that involve the use of firearms.

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Matthew Kummer, 49, Minocqua, Wisconsin, pleaded guilty and was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 10 years in federal prison for possessing child pornography.  This term of imprisonment will be followed by 15 years of supervised release. 

On October 27, 2019, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Kummer’s Minocqua home and seized laptops, hard drives, and miscellaneous storage devices.  Law enforcement analyzed some of these devices and found more than 17,000 images of child pornography.  Additionally, law enforcement found videos Kummer had surreptitiously taken of young children in swimsuits at parks, beaches, and amusement parks. 

The 10-year sentence was based on the defendant’s prior child pornography conviction, the huge number of images he possessed, and the fact that he was secretly filming young children. 

The charge against Kummer was the result of an investigation conducted by the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, and Rhinelander, Minocqua, and Woodruff Police Departments.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman.

MADISON, WIS. – A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin, sitting in Madison, returned the following indictments yesterday.  You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Merrill Man Charged with Environmental, Fraud & Tax Crimes

Kevin Shibilski, 59, Merrill, Wisconsin, is charged with storing and disposing of hazardous waste without a permit, in his capacity as the Chief Executive Officer of 5R Processors, Ltd., a Wisconsin company involved in the recycling of electronic waste from corporate and institutional clients and from manufacturers that participate in a manufacture-take-back program.  The indictment alleges that Shibilski illegally stored and disposed of broken and crushed glass from cathode ray tubes that was hazardous due to lead-toxicity at facilities in Wisconsin and Tennessee.  

The indictment also charges Shibilski with eight counts of wire fraud by taking in over $5.76 million from clients but failing to recycle over 8.3 million pounds of their crushed glass from cathode ray tubes that had lead in them and instead stockpiling it at 5R Processors’ warehouses in Wisconsin and Tennessee.  The final count of the indictment alleges that Shibilski conspired to defraud the United States by the nonpayment and evasion of more than $850,000 in employment and income taxes for 5R Processors and its nominee entities.

In related cases, Thomas Drake, 80, Jasper, Georgia; James Moss, 61, Ladysmith, Wisconsin; and Bonnie Dennee, 66, Phillips, Wisconsin, who all held positions with 5R Processors, have been charged with conspiring to store and transport hazardous waste without the required permits.  Moss also has been charged with conspiring to evade the payment of employment taxes and income taxes to the Internal Revenue Service.  Drake, Moss, and Dennee have entered into plea agreements with the United States.  Moss pleaded guilty on September 1, and his sentencing is scheduled for November 13.  Plea hearings for Drake and Dennee have not taken place. 

If convicted, Shibilski faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison on the charge of storing and disposing of hazardous waste without a permit, 20 years on each wire fraud charge, and five years on the tax charge.

The charges against Shibilski are the result of an investigation by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Criminal Investigation Division; IRS Criminal Investigation; and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Law Enforcement.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Graber and James Cha with EPA Regional Criminal Enforcement Counsel are handling the prosecution.

Madison Man Charged with Armed Robbery & Gun Crimes

Nathaniel W. Homestead, 29, Madison, Wisconsin, is charged with the armed robbery of a Madison business.  The indictment alleges that on July 19, 2020, Homestead robbed the Ground Zero Coffee Shop on Williamson Street and that during the robbery he displayed a firearm.  The indictment also charges him with possessing a loaded firearm during that crime of violence, and being a felon in possession of a loaded 9mm handgun.

If convicted, Homestead faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on the armed robbery charge, a mandatory minimum penalty of five years on the charge of possessing a firearm during a crime of violence, and a maximum of 10 years on the charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Federal law requires that any sentence imposed on the charge of possessing a firearm during a crime of violence be served consecutive to any other sentence imposed.

The charges against Homestead are the result of an investigation by the Madison Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven P. Anderson is handling the prosecution. 

Madison Man Charged with Gun & Drug Crimes

Keefer Goodman, 28, Madison, Wisconsin, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and with possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.  The indictment alleges that he possessed a loaded 9mm pistol and the methamphetamine on July 21, 2020.

If convicted, Goodman faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison on the charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm, and a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum of 40 years on the drug charge.  The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the Madison Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow is handling the prosecution. 

Madison Man Charged with Gun Crime & Possessing Marijuana for Distribution

Ramogi Carr, Jr., 19, Madison, Wisconsin, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and with possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute.  The indictment alleges that on February 18, 2020, he possessed a loaded 9mm pistol and the marijuana.

If convicted, Carr faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison on the charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm, and a maximum penalty of five years on the marijuana charge.  The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the Verona Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow is handling the prosecution. 

Madison Man Charged with Illegally Possessing Firearm

Corvalis Stewart, 33, Madison, Wisconsin, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.  The indictment alleges that on August 20, 2020, he possessed a loaded .40 caliber firearm.

If convicted, Stewart faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.  The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Dane County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow is handling the prosecution.

Sun Prairie Man Charged with Being a Felon In Possession of Ammunition

Marvin Coates, 33, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, is charged with being a felon in possession of ammunition.  The indictment alleges that on June 23, 2019, he possessed .40 caliber ammunition. 

If convicted, Coates faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.  The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Dane County Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Chadwick M. Elgersma is handling the investigation.

The indictments charging Homestead, Goodman, Carr, Stewart, and Coates have been brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Department’s program to reduce violent crime.  The PSN approach emphasizes coordination between state and federal prosecutors and all levels of law enforcement to address gun crime, especially felons illegally possessing firearms and ammunition, and violent crimes and drug crimes that involve the use of firearms. 

Eau Claire Man Charged with Methamphetamine Distribution

Zachary K. Tepsa, 33, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, is charged with distributing five grams or more of methamphetamine.  The indictment alleges that he distributed the methamphetamine on March 12, 2019.

If convicted, Tepsa faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison.  The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the West Central Drug Task Force, Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office, Eau Claire County Sheriff’s Office, Eau Claire Police Department, Eau Claire County District Attorney’s Office, and Drug Enforcement Administration.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven P. Anderson is handling the prosecution.

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Nicholas K. Murn, 26, Whitewater, Wisconsin, pleaded guilty and was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to nine years in federal prison, for committing five armed robberies of Rock County businesses during a two-week period of time in October 2019.  His term of imprisonment will be followed by a three-year term of supervised release.

Murn committed the following robberies:

1.         Tex’s Grocery, 1909 Saint Lawrence Avenue, Beloit, Wisconsin, on October 17, 2019;

2.         Casey’s General Store, 464 S. John Paul Road, Milton, Wisconsin, on October 23, 2019;

3.         Stop N’ Go, 3515 E. Milwaukee Street, Janesville, Wisconsin, on October 24, 2019

4.         Mulligans BP Convenience, 3961 Milton Avenue, Janesville, on October 26, 2019; and

5.         Rollette Oil Gas Station, 1451 Madison Road, Beloit, on October 30, 2019.

Because Murn brandished a firearm during each robbery, he was subject to a mandatory minimum seven-year sentence, which is what he asked Judge Conley to impose.  Although Murn did not have a prior criminal history, Judge Conley denied his request because of the trauma Murn inflicted on the victims.

The charges against Murn were the result of an investigation conducted by the Beloit, Janesville, and Fort Atkinson Police Departments, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow. 

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Yvonne Spencer, 64, Madison, Wisconsin, pleaded guilty and was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to one year and one day in federal prison, followed by one year of supervised release, for filing false tax returns.  She was also ordered to pay restitution to the IRS, although the Court noted that full repayment by the defendant was unlikely.    

An IRS investigation in 2018 revealed that Spencer had prepared and filed tax returns containing materially false information on behalf of taxpayers. A survey of 79 tax returns filed by Spencer between 2013 and 2017 revealed that the IRS had paid out $292,872 in fraudulent tax refunds as a result of the false information. Spencer directed $48,000 of the fraudulent refunds to herself, and also collected tax preparation fees from some taxpayers. Spencer was able to generate the fraudulent refunds primarily by claiming business and educational expenses on behalf of taxpayers who did not in fact own businesses or attend school.  She admitted at her guilty plea that she knew information on the tax returns was false.

At sentencing, Judge Conley considered Spencer’s age, health, family ties, lack of a criminal history, and her statement that she now understood the wrongfulness of her actions.  However, in determining a prison sentence was nevertheless warranted, the judge recognized that she had used her status and skills as a tax preparer to steal a lot of money from the government over a long period of time.  Judge Conley noted that the defendant’s conduct showed a disregard for the system of collecting taxes, taxes which fund the public programs used to care for others.  While the judge considered a two-year prison sentence, he ultimately settled on a sentence of one year and one day, in light of the fact that COVID-19-related restrictions in prison made serving a sentence more difficult.           

The charge against the defendant was the result of an investigation conducted by IRS Criminal Investigation.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Meredith P. Duchemin. 

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Travis Johnson, 32, Gays Mills, Wisconsin pleaded guilty and was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 78 months in federal prison for possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute. 

On November 10, 2019, a Crawford County Sheriff’s Department deputy saw an SUV being driven erratically in the village of Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin.  The SUV eventually stopped on a side street, and the driver got out and walked away, leaving the driver’s side door slightly open.  As the deputy pulled up behind the SUV, he saw the driver attempt to hide on a patio of a nearby residence.  When the deputy got out of his squad car, the driver left his hiding place and walked towards the deputy.  The deputy identified the driver as Travis Johnson, a person who was on extended supervision for drug-related charges.

The deputy searched Johnson’s SUV and found several grams of Psilocybin mushrooms, a digital scale coated in white residue, hypodermic needles, and gem baggies.  The deputy then searched the patio where he originally saw Johnson hiding, and found a large plastic bag that contained 162 grams of methamphetamine.   

The charge against Johnson was the result of an investigation conducted by the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chadwick M. Elgersma. 

MADISON, WIS. -- A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin, sitting in Madison, returned the following indictments today.  You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Eau Claire Woman Charged With Gun & Drug Crimes

Diana Xiong, 31, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and two counts of distributing methamphetamine.  The indictment alleges that she possessed a .25 caliber pistol on May 20, 2020, and that she distributed methamphetamine on May 28 and June 1, 2020.

If convicted, Xiong faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison on the gun charge, and 20 years on each of the drug charges. 

The charges against her are the result of an investigation by the Dunn County Sheriff’s Office; Menomonie Police Department; West Central Drug Task Force; Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation; Central Wisconsin Drug Task Force; Brown County Drug Task Force; and St. Paul (Minnesota) Task Force.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor L. Kraus is handling the prosecution.

Waunakee Man Charged with Illegally Possessing Firearm

Samuel A. Schiltz, 19, Waunakee, Wisconsin, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.  The indictment alleges that on May 11, 2020, he possessed a .40 caliber handgun.

If convicted, Schiltz faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.  The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey C. Stephan is handling the prosecution.

Evansville Woman Charged with Fraud Scheme

Nichole Genz, 40, Evansville, Wisconsin, is charged with conspiring to commit wire fraud and nine counts of wire fraud in relation to a scheme to defraud her employer, Learning Gardens Child Development Center, a business that provided child care services for infants and toddlers.  Learning Gardens is a subsidiary entity of Park Towne Development Corporation, a Madison, Wisconsin-based company.  The indictment alleges that Genz, working with an individual not named in the indictment who was employed as the accounting manager at Park Towne, caused losses in excess of $311,000 to Park Towne and its subsidiaries, including Learning Gardens. 

The indictment alleges that from January 2014 to September 2018, while employed as the Executive Director at Learning Gardens, Genz and her co-conspirator embezzled funds from Park Towne by the following methods:

1. Depositing some tuition checks into the Learning Gardens petty cash account and withdrawing the funds in cash, instead of depositing them into the Park Towne main operating account;
2. Issuing checks from other Park Town subsidiaries that were altered to make them payable to cash, or to Learning Gardens, which were deposited into the Learning Gardens petty cash account and withdrawn in cash;
3. Creating altered bank statements for the Learning Gardens petty cash account;
4. Creating a false bank statement reconciliation spreadsheet for the Learning Gardens petty cash account;
5. Misusing Learning Gardens debit cards to purchase items for Genz’s personal use; and
6. Misusing Learning Gardens credit cards to purchase items for Genz’s personal use.

If convicted, Genz faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each of the 10 counts of the indictment.  The charges against her are the result of an investigation by the Madison Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Graber is handling the prosecution.

Oneida County Woman Charged With False Statements

Peggy A. Faulkner, 58, Three Lakes, Wisconsin, is charged with making false and fraudulent statements in connection with health care benefits involving the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs.  The indictment alleges that from January 2014 through December 2015, she submitted multiple forms requesting reimbursement for mileage to appointments associated with her workers’ compensation injury, knowing that she did not actually incur such expense.

If convicted, Faulkner faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison.  The charge against her is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Anderson is handling the prosecution. 

Dane County Man Faces Additional Charges Related to Attempts to Produce Child Pornography Using Hidden Recording Devices

David M. Kruchten, 38, Cottage Grove, Wisconsin, is charged in a superseding indictment with 14 counts of attempting to produce child pornography through use of hidden recording devices, and one count of transporting minors from Wisconsin to Minnesota with the intent to produce child pornography through use of hidden recording devices.  Kruchten previously was charged in an indictment returned by the grand jury on January 29, 2020 with seven counts of attempting to produce child pornography using hidden recording devices on October 27, 2019 and January 20, 2019.  Seven of the additional counts in the superseding indictment allege that he attempted to produce child pornography on October 29, 2018 using hidden recording devices, and the other additional count alleges that he transported seven minors from Wisconsin to Minnesota on December 6, 2019, with the intent to produce child pornography using hidden recording devices.

Kruchten, a teacher at Madison East High School, was arrested on January 30 and has been detained in custody since.  A date has not been scheduled for his trial, which will take place before Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson. 

If convicted, Kruchten faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years in federal prison on each count in the indictment.  The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, Cottage Grove Police Department, and Minneapolis Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth Altman and Laura Przybylinski Finn are handling the prosecution.

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Tahjmalyk Porter, 24, Middleton, Wisconsin, pleaded guilty and was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge James Peterson to two years of probation for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

On November 12, 2019, Porter was in an area gun store and seen on video handling a semiautomatic rifle.  Several days later Porter was captured on video in another area gun store handling firearms there as well.  Porter was a felon based on a 2017 conviction for strangulation in Dane County Circuit Court.

Judge Peterson stated that he was concerned that Porter was associating with individuals who were making straw purchases of firearms and selling them in the community.  The Court noted the alarming number of shootings in Madison recently and the “extraordinary risk” posed by illegal possession and use of firearms.  Judge Peterson also noted Porter’s criminal history including a conviction for domestic violence and a positive drug test which was a violation of his pretrial release.  Despite those concerns however, Judge Peterson sentenced Porter to probation rather than prison based on the fact that he did not try to purchase a gun and there was no evidence that he had sold illegal guns into the community.

The charge against Porter has been brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Department’s program to reduce violent crime.  The PSN approach emphasizes coordination between state and federal prosecutors and all levels of law enforcement to address gun crime, especially felons illegally possessing firearms and ammunition, and violent crimes and drug crimes that involve the use of firearms.

The charge against Porter was the result of an investigation conducted by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Sun Prairie Police Department.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan. 

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Carlos Wilson, 32, Madison, Wisconsin pleaded guilty and was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 48 months in federal prison for distributing crack cocaine.  

On three separate occasions in November 2019, Wilson sold drugs to an undercover police officer. Wilson sold crack the first time, and sold both heroin and cocaine during the other two deals.  Wilson was arrested on November 22, 2019 with 74 individually wrapped baggies of a mixture containing Fentanyl. 

At the time of his arrest, Wilson was on federal supervised release after serving a 60-month prison sentence for selling heroin. Judge Peterson revoked Wilson’s supervised release and sentenced him to 18 months in prison to be served concurrently with the new federal sentence.

Judge Peterson said he was disappointed to see Wilson in his courtroom again for another serious drug crime, but expressed hope that after this sentence he would gain some maturity and stop selling drugs.

The charge against Wilson was the result of an investigation conducted by the Dane County Narcotics Task Force.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura A. Przybylinski Finn. 

MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced today that Sandra Stiner, 65, Ladysmith, Wisconsin, pleaded guilty to wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and criminal asset forfeiture.

As part of the plea agreement with the United States, Stiner agreed to waive her right to be charged by indictment by a grand jury.  In these circumstances, federal charges are entered by way of an Information filed with the Court.

Stiner worked at the Rusk County Health and Human Services Department (HHS) for 42 years before retiring in January 2019.  While working for HHS, Stiner misappropriated $702,351 during a nine-year time span from June 2010 to January 2019, by creating and submitting fictitious invoices allegedly from a home-based therapy company (R.Y.P.) for nonexistent intensive in-home autism services to two children.

Stiner used, without lawful authority, a means of identification of real people and real entities in an effort to create documentation that appeared legitimate and provided cover to support her fraud scheme, including taking the name and taxpayer identification number of R.Y.P., and the name of its founder, and misusing them to create a nominee bank account, nominee email account, and fictitious invoices.

At today’s plea hearing, Stiner admitted that she forged the signature of R.Y.P’s founder on various documents and IRS forms to make these documents appear legitimate to Rusk County.  Stiner also admitted that she took the name of a CPA firm in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, and misused it to create a fictitious letter and financial statements for R.Y.P.  Stiner told Judge Conley that she created a nominee bank account on June 21, 2010 at Bank of America using the name of R.Y.P. and forged the signature of the founder on the R.Y.P. direct deposit authorization form to make sure the payments came to Stiner and not the real owner of R.Y.P.  Based on these fictitious invoices, Rusk County paid $702,351 to Stiner’s nominee bank account over a nine-year period.

Stiner admitted at today’s hearing that she spent the misappropriated funds on various personal expenditures, including $295,000 in credit card payments, $200,000 in cash advances, $20,000 in iTunes charges for a gaming app called Big Fish Casino, $50,000 in retail shopping expenses, over $41,000 on her house mortgage, and over $18,000 in automobile loan payments.

The maximum penalty for the wire fraud charge is 20 years in federal prison. The penalty for the aggravated identity theft charge is a mandatory two years, which would be served consecutive to any prison term imposed on the wire fraud charge. 

In the plea agreement, Stiner agreed to a criminal asset forfeiture judgment of $702,351, and potential forfeiture of substitute assets, including real estate, vehicles, boats, a camper, her pension, and household contents.

Sentencing for Stiner is set for November 4, 2020, at 1:00 p.m., before U.S. District Judge William M. Conley.

The charges against Stiner are the result of an investigation conducted by the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.   Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Graber is handling the prosecution.

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Todd Goldbeck, 46, Middleton, Wisconsin was sentenced by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to one year and one day in federal prison for committing perjury during a bankruptcy proceeding.  Judge Conley also ordered Goldbeck to pay restitution in the amount of $2,466,550.46 to Summit Credit Union.  Goldbeck pleaded guilty to this charge during a combined plea and sentencing hearing on Friday, August 7. 

In 2015, Goldbeck received a $2.4 million government-backed loan from Summit Credit Union and the Small Business Administration (SBA) to build a sports complex in Jefferson, Wisconsin.  Summit and SBA approved the loan based on a several documents Goldbeck submitted, including: (1) a construction contract that estimated the total cost of the building at approximately $2.5 million; and (2) a signed lease agreement between Goldbeck and a regional medical center showing the medical center agreed to rent a portion of the completed building. 

After construction began, Goldbeck contacted Summit and requested an additional $2.5 million to finish the project.  Goldbeck claimed Summit knew the sports complex was a two-phase project.  Goldbeck supported his request with a second construction contract estimating the total cost of the project at approximately $5 million.  The new loan was not approved, and Goldbeck never completed the building. 

Summit filed a civil suit against Goldbeck in Dane County Circuit Court, and obtained a money judgment in the amount of approximately $2.5 million.  After entry of this judgment, Goldbeck filed a bankruptcy petition in the Western District of Wisconsin.  During the proceedings, Goldbeck told the bankruptcy trustee, under oath, that Summit knew the building was a two-phase project when they closed the loan.  Goldbeck also told the bankruptcy trustee that he did not forge the lease with the medical center.

During the course of the criminal investigation, law enforcement officials obtained documents and emails showing Goldbeck intentionally misrepresented the cost and scope of the project.  In addition, law enforcement officials received sworn affidavits from employees at the medical center stating they never signed a lease agreement with Goldbeck. 

At sentencing, Judge Conley told Goldbeck that his hubris fueled his scheme to defraud Summit and the SBA.  When his scheme failed, Goldbeck “doubled-down” and lied to the bankruptcy trustee. 

The charge against Goldbeck was the result of an investigation conducted by the Small Business Administration – Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the Office of the U.S. Trustee for the Western District of Wisconsin.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chadwick M. Elgersma. 

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Curtis Green, 39, Onalaska, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 57 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a felon, and an additional 12 months for revocation of his federal supervised release. This prison term will be followed by two years of supervised release.

The investigation in this case stems from a shooting that occurred in West Salem, Wisconsin, on October 26, 2019. Green was identified as a suspect in that shooting, and on October 31, 2019, officers executed a search warrant at his residence where they located a firearm and ammunition consistent with that used in the shooting. Green is facing state charges for his alleged participation in the shooting.  

At the time Green possessed the firearm, he was serving a term of supervised release in connection to a 2006 federal conviction in the Western District of Wisconsin for the theft of 38 firearms from a federally licensed firearms dealer. Judge Peterson revoked that supervision and sentenced Green to the additional 12 months.

In sentencing Green, Judge Peterson noted that Green’s possession of a firearm was aggravated because of his history of gun crime, which was made more serious by the fact he was on supervised release at the time. He noted that the crime was even further aggravated because he found by a preponderance of the evidence that Green possessed the firearm in connection to the shooting, and that Green posed a danger to the public.

The charge against Green was the result of an investigation conducted by the West Salem Police Department, La Crosse County Sheriff’s Department, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor L. Kraus. 

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Stanley Griffin, 27, Madison, Wisconsin, pleaded guilty and was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to seven years in federal prison for committing an armed robbery of a Madison bank. His sentence will be followed by a three-year term of supervised release.

 On July 9, 2019, at approximately 10:00 a.m., a US Bank branch at 6401 Cottage Grove Road, Madison, was robbed.  The victims reported the robber pointed a black handgun at a teller.  The robbery was captured on video and the robber did not disguise his face.  Still photographs from the robbery video were shared with the public.

On August 3, 2019, a citizen witness called the Madison Police Department (MPD) and reported that Griffin had stolen the car that he had just sold to her.  She further told police that he told her he robbed the US Bank.  The witness said Griffin owned the same sweatshirt that was worn by the robber, and she provided other details not made known to the public.  When police arrested Griffin on outstanding out-of-state warrants, he was in possession of a pair of shoes identical to those worn by the robber, as depicted in the bank’s video.

Further, when MPD issued an alert to law enforcement agencies, Griffin's probation agent from Illinois contacted MPD and identified Griffin as the robber.  The probation agent said he met with Griffin approximately 3-4 times per week for three years, and he was positive it was Griffin.  He also said Griffin owned a sweatshirt like the one worn by the robber. 

Judge Conley rejected Griffin’s request for a five-year sentence because of the severity of the crime, and Griffin’s extensive criminal history.

The charge against Griffin was the result of an investigation conducted by the Madison Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow. 

This case has been brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Department’s program to reduce violent crime.  The PSN approach emphasizes coordination between state and federal prosecutors and all levels of law enforcement to address gun crime, especially felons illegally possessing firearms and ammunition and violent and drug crimes that involve the use of firearms.

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Joshua Reedy, 26, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, was sentenced Friday, July 31 by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 42 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a felon. This prison term will be followed by 3 years of supervised release.

On August 16, 2019, Eau Claire police officers found Reedy in the parking lot of a Goodwill store after receiving a complaint for a suspicious vehicle. At the time officers found Reedy, he was wearing a bullet-proof vest and was also in possession of a crow-bar and hunting knife. During a search of his vehicle, officers located a sawed-off shotgun. Reedy admitted to knowing this shotgun was stolen and to sawing off its barrel. A second gun, ammunition, stolen credit cards, and other burglarious tools were located in the vehicle and in the possession of Reedy’s associate, who was located nearby.

Reedy is prohibited from possessing any firearms as a result of multiple Wisconsin felony convictions.

In sentencing Reedy, Judge Conley acknowledged his long-standing addiction to alcohol and drugs. However, Judge Conley noted that Reedy was a high functioning addict who failed to take prior addiction treatment seriously. Judge Conley imposed this prison sentence, in part, because of Reedy’s pattern of increasingly serious crimes.

The charge against Reedy was the result of an investigation conducted by the Eau Claire Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor L. Kraus. 

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Larry Darnell Armstrong, 50, Minneapolis, Minnesota, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to three years in federal prison for committing a robbery of a business located in River Falls, Wisconsin.  The parties jointly recommended the three-year prison sentence.

On June 13, 2019, Pierce County, Wisconsin dispatch received a 911 call regarding an armed robbery at North Town Cleaners in River Falls. Responding officers met with an employee of North Town Cleaners who stated that she was working at the counter when two men entered the store.  The larger of the two men, later identified as Larry Armstrong, approached the counter and stated that he needed some buttons sewn on a coat. Armstrong gave the employee the coat and several buttons, and gave his last name as Johnson.  During that time, the smaller of the two men was at the soda machine.       

According to the employee, Armstrong asked for change for a $20 bill. The employee went to the safe to deposit the $20 and make change, and as she was starting to close the safe, the other man pointed a black handgun at her and demanded money. The employee gave him a black bank bag, and he reached into the safe and grabbed a box of quarters.  Both Armstrong and the other man ran out of the business.

Armstrong was identified after the buttons were submitted to the Wisconsin State Crime laboratory in Madison and a DNA profile taken from the buttons matched the DNA profile of Armstrong that was on file. Law enforcement officers then obtained driver’s license information for Armstrong and he matched the description of the robber. Law enforcement officers also ran Armstrong’s criminal history, which revealed that he has used different aliases, including “Shelly A. Johnson.”  Finally, Armstrong’s cell phone was in River Falls on June 13, 2019, during the North Town Cleaners robbery. Later that same day, the phone was in the area of Armstrong’s residence in Minneapolis. 

To date, Armstrong’s accomplice has not been identified.

The charge against Armstrong was the result of an investigation conducted by the River Falls Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow.

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Raynaldo Mendez, 44, South Beloit, Illinois, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 30 months in federal prison for failing to comply with sex offender registration, and an additional 24 months for revocation of his federal supervised release.  This prison term will be followed by 10 years of supervised release.

Mendez was required to comply with sex offender registration requirements as a result of two Illinois sexual assault convictions. At the time Mendez failed to comply with the requirements of this registration, he was serving a term of supervised release in connection to a 2006 federal drug offense.

Mendez is currently serving a prison sentence for sexually assaulting a minor in 2017 in Wisconsin. Judge Conley ordered the sentences imposed today to run consecutively to that prison sentence.

In sentencing Mendez, Judge Conley stated that Mendez presented a continuing danger to the community and had totally ignored conditions of federal supervision. Judge Conley noted that Mendez had absconded from supervision and failed to update his sex offender registration, in part, to elude officers investigating the 2017 sexual assault.

The charge against Mendez was the result of an investigation conducted by the Beloit (Wisconsin) and South Beloit (Illinois) Police Departments, and the U.S. Marshals Service.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor L. Kraus. 

MADISON, WIS. – A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin, sitting in Madison, returned the following indictments today.  You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Two California Women Charged with Health Care Fraud Scheme At Wisconsin Nursing Homes

Lauryn Nelson, 40, San Pedro, California, and Marie De La Torre, 50, Corona, California, are charged with conspiring to commit health care fraud, and De La Torre is also charged with eight additional counts of health care fraud, through a scheme to defraud the Medicare Program administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  The indictment alleges that the conspiracy operated from February to September 2015.

The indictment alleges that Nelson and De La Torre, both licensed vocational nurses, worked for a company not named in the indictment that did genetic testing of residents in nursing homes to determine how different residents metabolized medication, which might result in changes in medication prescribed to the residents.  The indictment alleges that Nelson and De La Torre went into four nursing homes in Wisconsin, located in Milwaukee, Rhinelander, Oshkosh, and Wisconsin Rapids, to do this genetic testing and obtained medical information about residents which they used to create fraudulent wound care supply orders they submitted to Medicare for reimbursement.   The indictment alleges that neither Nelson nor De La Torre had any involvement in caring for wounds of the Wisconsin nursing home residents.

The indictment alleges that Nelson and De La Torre directed that fraudulently ordered wound care supplies be shipped to the California office of the company for which they worked, instead of to the Wisconsin nursing homes.  The indictment charges that they caused $552,889 to be billed to Medicare for these wound care supplies, of which Medicare paid $431,579. 

If convicted, Nelson and De La Torre face a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison on Count 1, and De La Torre faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison for the remaining eight counts in the indictment.  The charges against them are the result of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary J. Corey is handling the prosecution. 

Rhinelander Man Charged with Attempting to Entice Child

Richard M. Duellman, 42, Rhinelander, Wisconsin, is charged with using text messages and telephone calls to persuade an individual who had not attained the age of 18 years to engage in sexual activity that would constitute second degree sexual assault of a child under Wisconsin law.  The indictment alleges that he attempted to do so on July 21, 2020.

If convicted, Duellman faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years and a maximum of life in federal prison.  The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, and Rhinelander Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman is handling the prosecution.

Burnett County Man Charged with Possessing Child Pornography

Anthony A. Atkins, 47, Webster, Wisconsin, is charged with possessing child pornography.  The indictment alleges that on June 15, 2020, he possessed a cellular phone that contained visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, and at least one of the depictions involved a minor who had not attained 12 years of age.

If convicted, Atkins faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.  The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Burnett County Sheriff’s Office and the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman is handling the prosecution.

Lincoln County Man Charged with Illegally Possessing Firearm

Michael W. Wienandt, 26, Tomahawk, Wisconsin, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.  The indictment alleges that on May 15, 2020, he possessed a .40 caliber pistol.

If convicted, Wienandt faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.  The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office, Wausau Police Department, Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Anderson is handling the prosecution.

Beloit Man Charged with Gun Crime

Fabian W. Jones, 28, Beloit, Wisconsin, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.  The indictment alleges that on March 15, 2020, he possessed a .40 caliber handgun.

If convicted, Jones faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.  The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Beloit Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey C. Stephan is handling the prosecution.

Spooner Man Charged with Possessing Methamphetamine for Distribution

Brian K. Dennis, 50, Spooner, Wisconsin, is charged with possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.  The indictment alleges that he possessed the methamphetamine on May 29, 2020.

If convicted, Dennis faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years and a maximum of life in federal prison.  The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Barron and Sawyer County Sheriffs’ Offices and the Drug Enforcement Administration.  First Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy M. O’Shea is handling the prosecution.

La Crosse Man Charged with Drug Crimes Involving Methamphetamine

Lucas Carpenter, 36, La Crosse, Wisconsin, is charged with possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, and with distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.  The indictment alleges that he possessed and distributed methamphetamine on November 15, 2019.

If convicted, Carpenter faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on the possession with intent to distribute charge, and a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison on the distribution of 50 grams or more or methamphetamine charge.  The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the Prairie du Chien Police Department and the West Central Metropolitan Enforcement Group.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Chadwick M. Elgersma is handling the prosecution. 

MADISON, WIS. – On July 26, 2020, our nation reflects on the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (the ADA), a landmark civil rights law that aims to eliminate discrimination against people with disabilities.   The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Wisconsin is committed to vigorous enforcement of the ADA.

The ADA was signed into law on July 26, 1990, by President George H.W. Bush.  It is one of America’s most comprehensive pieces of civil rights legislation that prohibits discrimination and guarantees that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as everyone else to participate in the mainstream of American life -- to enjoy employment opportunities, to purchase goods and services, and to participate in state and local government programs and services.  Modeled after the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, the ADA is an “equal opportunity” law for people with disabilities.

“My office is committed to ADA compliance, through cooperative efforts and enforcement actions, to ensure equal access for persons with disabilities,” said Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin.  “The ADA is about securing for people with disabilities the most fundamental of rights – the right to live fully and equally in our country, to go places and do things that other Americans take for granted.”

The Department of Justice has undertaken multiple initiatives to enforce the ADA, including its Barrier-Free Health Care Initiative and its ADA Voting Initiative.  The Barrier-Free Health Care Initiative addresses access to medical services and facilities, including effective communication for people who are deaf or have hearing loss, physical access to medical care for people with mobility disabilities, and equal access to treatment for people who have HIV/AIDS.  The ADA Voting Initiative works to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to participate in the voting process, from voter registration to casting a ballot.        

In the Western District of Wisconsin, the U.S. Attorney’s Office frequently investigates alleged violations of the ADA, including complaints related to access to public buildings and complaints of discrimination against individuals with service animals.

For more information about the 30th anniversary of the ADA and the Department’s initiatives, please visit www.ada.gov.  To file a complaint with the Department, please visit the Civil Rights Division’s portal at https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/.

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that today Daniel E. Boldt, 46, Town of Corning, Wisconsin, pleaded guilty and was sentenced by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 30 months in federal prison for unlawfully possessing five firearms and ammunition, as a convicted felon.

On August 24, 2019, a citizen assisted a female who was walking on a county highway.  She told the citizen that her boyfriend, Boldt, beat her up.  The citizen drove the female to the hospital, where investigators interviewed her.  Among other things, she said that Boldt was a felon and that he had guns. 

Based on her account, law enforcement decided to arrest Boldt.  Later that day, law enforcement stopped Boldt while he was driving.  During the traffic stop Boldt raised a shotgun and did not comply with officers’ commands to drop it.  As a result, a sheriff’s deputy shot Boldt in the shoulder.  In addition to the shotgun, a 9mm handgun was also found in the vehicle. 

Law enforcement subsequently executed a search warrant at Boldt’s residence and recovered a .32 caliber pistol, a .22 caliber rifle, a .22 caliber pistol and .22 caliber ammunition. 

Boldt's prior felony convictions are a 1992 second degree sexual assault of a child under 16; a 1992 burglary of a building/dwelling; and a 1993 second degree sexual assault of a child under 16.

The charge against Boldt was the result of an investigation conducted by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow. 

MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Shelby Bottensek, 42, of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin pleaded guilty today to wire fraud and identity theft, and was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 30 months in federal prison.  Judge Peterson also ordered Bottensek to pay restitution of $6,353.54 to the victims of her crimes.

Bottensek began stealing mail in August 2019 from residential mailboxes in 13 Wisconsin communities including, among others, Amherst, Wisconsin Rapids, Waupaca, Port Edwards, Nekoosa, Necedah, Plover, Portage, Wausau, Friendship, Janesville and Westfield.  Bottensek opened and sorted through 361 pieces of stolen mail from 170 victims in an effort to locate items of value, including cash, uncashed checks, and credit cards. 

Bottensek admitted at today’s plea hearing that she stole at least three different credit cards from the mail and made unauthorized charges, without the permission or knowledge of the cardholders.  Bottensek agreed that her unlawful conduct created an intended loss amount of $133,609.22.

At today’s sentencing, Judge Peterson noted that Bottensek committed these crimes while suffering from a severe addiction to methamphetamine, and although perhaps mitigating, Bottensek still was responsible for her actions.  Judge Peterson said that Bottensek had the ability and the duty to manage her addiction and her mental health for her sake, as well as the sake of the community, which she ultimately failed to do.

In imposing sentence, Judge Peterson stressed to Bottensek that a 30-month sentence was required to provide her with specific deterrence so that she will not repeat this criminal conduct.  The judge explained to Bottensek that, “stealing the mail is not a minor crime. People really trust the U.S. mail system and for many it is an important avenue of communication to the rest of the world.”  He added, “Stealing somebody’s mail creates a profound sense of violation of personal integrity – it’s like breaking into someone’s house and stealing their property.”  Judge Peterson noted that Bottensek added to this sense of violation by stealing identities and violating people’s financial security through credit card fraud.

The case against Bottensek is the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Wood County Sheriff’s Department, Grand Rapids Police Department, and Plover Police Department.  The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Graber.

Madison, Wis. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Dao Thao, 40, Saint Paul, Minnesota, was sentenced on July 17 by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to five years in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine.  Thao pleaded guilty to this charge on March 2, 2020.

Thao possessed methamphetamine with intent to deliver to a local drug trafficker in Wausau, Wisconsin on June 19, 2019.  On that date Thao possessed over 114 grams of almost pure methamphetamine.  Telephone records confirmed that Thao delivered at least the same amount on one other occasion in the weeks leading up to his arrest.  Telephone records also confirmed that Thao had been distributing various drugs for the year prior to his arrest in this case.

While records indicate Thao had been engaging in this behavior for at least a year, Judge Peterson considered Thao’s limited criminal history in arriving at an appropriate sentence.

The charge against Dao Thao was the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force; Marathon County Sheriff’s Office; Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation; Wausau Police Department; Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office; National Guard Counterdrug Program; Wisconsin State Patrol; and Everest Metro Police Department.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Schlipper. 

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Danny D. Turner, 38, Madison, Wisconsin, was found guilty yesterday of drug and gun crimes.  Turner was convicted of four counts of distributing crack cocaine, one count of distributing heroin, possessing crack cocaine for distribution, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  The jury reached its verdict after six hours of deliberations following three days of testimony in federal court in Madison.

The evidence presented at trial showed that in January and February 2020, Turner sold crack cocaine and heroin to an undercover law enforcement officer, and when he was arrested on February 27, 2020, he possessed crack cocaine packaged for distribution and carried a loaded 9mm handgun. 

In 2008, Turner was convicted in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin of distributing crack cocaine.  Due to this prior felony conviction, Turner is not permitted to possess a firearm.  In addition, Turner has prior state court convictions for delivery of cocaine and possessing cocaine with intent to distribute.

Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson scheduled Turner’s sentencing for October 1, 2020, at 9:30 a.m.  Turner faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each drug charge and 10 years on the felon in possession of a firearm charge.  The charge of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years; federal law requires that any sentence imposed for this charge be served consecutive to any sentence imposed on any other criminal charge.

The charges against Turner were the result of an investigation by the Dane County Narcotics Task Force.  U.S. Attorney Blader and Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Reinhard handled the prosecution.

This case has been brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Department’s program to reduce violent crime.  The PSN approach emphasizes coordination between state and federal prosecutors and all levels of law enforcement to address gun crime, especially felons illegally possessing firearms and ammunition, and violent crimes and drug crimes that involve the use of firearms.

MADISON, WIS. – United States Attorney Scott C. Blader announced that Clifford T. Bowe, M.D., a retired Cadott, Wisconsin physician, entered into a settlement agreement to pay $70,000 to resolve civil allegations that he violated the Controlled Substances Act (“CSA”) relating to his prescribing of controlled substances, including opioids, outside the usual course of professional practice, among other CSA violations. 

Dr. Bowe owned and operated Cadott Medical Center (“CMC”) in Cadott.  A majority of his patients went to CMC because they were suffering from opioid use disorder and other addictions.  Dr. Bowe had received authorization to treat up to 100 opioid dependent patients for opioid use disorder with medication-assisted treatments, such as the FDA-approved Schedule III drug, buprenorphine (Suboxone).  Buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist, blocks the opiate receptors and reduces an individual’s urges to use opioids.  According to the government’s allegations set forth in the settlement agreement, Dr. Bowe not only improperly prescribed buprenorphine along with other potent opioids, but he also counseled patients on how to fill these improper simultaneous prescriptions so as to avoid rejection by pharmacies or insurance payers.  Moreover, the government alleged that Dr. Bowe prescribed Schedule II opioids to treat opioid use disorder, which is prohibited by CSA regulations. 

According to the settlement agreement, the government alleged that Dr. Bowe also violated the CSA by prescribing emergency Schedule II controlled substances to a family member that failed to meet the regulatory requirements for such prescribing; by providing inaccurate directions for use on controlled substance prescriptions to maneuver-around pharmacies refusing to fill compounded prescriptions or insurance companies denying payment for such prescriptions; and by failing to maintain records regarding the receipt and dispensing of controlled substances, or to maintain an inventory of controlled substances on-hand at CMC.  Dr. Bowe denies these allegations. 

In enacting the CSA, Congress recognized the importance of preventing the diversion of drugs from legitimate to illegitimate uses.  The CSA, in relevant part, deters the illegal distribution, possession, dispensing, and improper use of controlled substances, all of which have contributed significantly to the opioid epidemic over the past two decades.  The CSA therefore regulates entities and practitioners that dispense controlled substances by establishing controls over all stages of the chain of distribution of controlled substances in the United States. 

“Physicians who prescribe controlled substances, including opioids, outside the usual course of professional practice, abuse their prescription-writing privileges and contribute to the opioid crisis,” said United States Attorney Blader.  “Controlled substance prescribing violations, in addition to the critical recordkeeping of controlled substances to ensure the system remains closed, will result in enforcement action in the Western District of Wisconsin.”

“DEA will continue to pursue civil actions against any registrant that violates the Controlled Substances Act by practicing outside of professional medical practice and issuing illegitimate controlled substance prescriptions. The overprescribing of opioids has played a large role in the national opioid addiction crisis that our country currently faces on a daily basis,” said DEA Milwaukee District Office Assistant Special Agent in Charge Paul E. Maxwell, Jr.

According to public records, on February 15, 2012, the Wisconsin Medical Examining Board reprimanded Dr. Bowe for engaging in any practice or conduct that tended to constitute a danger to the health, welfare, or safety of patients or the public, and thus, unprofessional conduct, including the unjustified prescribing of Schedule II and other controlled substances.  The Board ordered Dr. Bowe to attend a Comprehensive Pain Board symposium, which he later completed.   

In 2017, DEA obtained an Administrative Inspection Warrant to conduct an inspection relating to Dr. Bowe and CMC.  According to the settlement, after DEA informed Dr. Bowe of numerous allegations that he failed to comply with relating to the federal controlled substance requirements, Dr. Bowe voluntarily surrendered his DEA Registration Number.  Without a DEA registration number, he could no longer prescribe or dispense controlled substances. 

In 2016, the State of Wisconsin also opened cases into Dr. Bowe’s prescribing practices that led to the Wisconsin Medical Examining Board’s March 15, 2017 Order.  According to the Board’s Order, to resolve the State’s claims, Bowe neither admitted nor denied engaging in unprofessional conduct, rather, he stated that due to his age and limitation on his ability to care for patients, he agreed to resolve the cases by voluntarily and permanently surrendering his Wisconsin license to practice medicine. 

Assistant United States Attorney Leslie Herje represented the government in this matter.  The DEA Milwaukee District Office primarily conducted the investigation, along with the United States Attorney’s Office Affirmative Civil Enforcement team.  The settlement agreement states CSA allegations only; Dr. Bowe denies the allegations, except that he admits that, in violation of federal law, he pre-signed incomplete patient prescriptions on other than the date of issuance and placed them in patient charts. 

MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Ursula Wing, 42, New York City, New York, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to a two-year term of probation, and fined $10,000, for supplying abortion-inducing pills without a prescription to customers in the United States, including Wisconsin, and throughout the world, and concealing her conduct from U.S. government regulatory and enforcement authorities.

On March 20, 2020, Wing pleaded guilty to Count 1 of an indictment that charged her with conspiracy to defraud various U.S. governmental agencies, including the FDA, U.S. Postal Service, and U.S. Customs.  The indictment alleged that Wing operated a blog called “the Macrobiotic Stoner,” with a secret web page called “My Secret Bodega,” where she sold foreign-sourced versions of Mifepristone and Misoprostol from India, that were not approved by the FDA for use in the United States.  

According to the indictment, these drugs are used to medically terminate an early pregnancy (up to 70 days or less).  Mifepristone is a prescription drug, but is not available to the public through pharmacies; its distribution is restricted to specially qualified, licensed physicians, and the administration of Mifepristone is subject to an FDA Risk and Evaluation Mitigation Strategy (REMS).  Among the REMS requirements are that Mifepristone may only be dispensed in clinics, medical offices, and hospitals by, or under the supervision of, a certified healthcare provider.

At her plea hearing, Wing admitted that she could not sell these prescription drugs because she was not licensed to do so. She also admitted that she illegally smuggled these misbranded drugs into the United States from an offshore pharmacy located in India.  Wing admitted that she operated a fake jewelry business called Fatima’s Bead Basket to hide her illegal conduct from U.S. authorities.  Wing admitted that she inserted a necklace or other item of jewelry into the shipping envelope to serve as the cover piece of merchandise being mailed to the customer.  She then packaged the misbranded prescription drugs into a smaller packet that was in a hidden panel and taped to the inside of the shipping envelope.  Wing also disguised the nature of the item being purchased by listing jewelry product names on the invoice.

Wing also admitted that she created a second fake online jewelry business called Morocco International and a fake merchant processing portal for use as a cover for selling the misbranded prescription drugs on her secret webpage.  By creating this fake merchant processing portal, Wing allowed her Macrobiotic Stoner clients to pay for the misbranded drugs using their credit cards, with the sales showing up on the merchant account as jewelry, and not Mifepristone or Misoprostol. 

At today’s sentencing, Judge Peterson noted that while Wing had the right to disagree with the legal requirements surrounding the distribution of Mifepristone and Misoprostol in the United States, she nonetheless committed a crime in selling these drugs, which she knowingly obtained from an offshore pharmacy in India, and which had not been approved by the FDA for use in the United States.  Judge Peterson explained that such conduct created a danger to the public in two ways.  First, it allowed people to obtain the drugs such as a Marathon County man who allegedly used them in an attempt to induce his girlfriend to abort her 120-day pregnancy without her knowledge or consent, which resulted in the man being charged in Marathon County Circuit Court with attempted first-degree intentional homicide of an unborn child.  Second, Wing could not vouch for the safety of the product she was distributing, as evidenced by the fact that she had no testing protocols in place, and had to trust the pills she was smuggling into the United States from India were safe and effective.

Judge Peterson also ordered Wing to forfeit $61,753, which represented the cost of the Mifepristone and Misoprostol pills that Wing sold from 2016 to 2018.

“Prescription drugs that are obtained illegally from online sources and then sold online to consumers can cause serious harm,” said Special Agent in Charge Lynda M. Burdelik, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations Chicago Field Office. “We will continue to investigate and bring justice to those who place the public’s health at risk.”

The case against Wing is the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration - Office of Criminal Investigations, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.  The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Graber.

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Jeremy Schenck, 25, Madison, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 20 years in federal prison, to be followed by 25 years of supervised release, for producing child pornography.   Schenck pleaded guilty to this charge on February 5, 2020.

The investigation began in December 2018, when a social worker with Dane County Human Services contacted the Madison Police Department after learning of an allegation of sexual abuse against Schenck.  The law enforcement investigation led to the issuance of a search warrant for Schenck’s apartment in February 2019.  A search of computers seized from Schenck’s apartment revealed images of child pornography.  Schenck was initially charged with possession of child pornography in Dane County on February 21, 2019.  After further investigation revealed that Schenck had taken sexually explicit pictures of a toddler, he was indicted on charges of production of child pornography in federal court. 

At sentencing, Judge Peterson stated that the sentence was appropriate due to the vulnerability of the minor victim, because Schenck distributed the image of the minor victim, and because Schenck committed a hands-on offense against the child.  Judge Peterson found that Schenck had demonstrated that he was a threat to all vulnerable victims and the community at large, and stated that he imposed this sentence because he was very keenly concerned with protecting the community from Schenck.

The charge against Schenck was the result of an investigation conducted by the Madison Police Department and the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Pfluger. 

MADISON, WIS. -- A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin, sitting in Madison, returned the following indictments today.  You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

La Crosse Man Charged with Drug & Gun Crimes

Joshua Kletzke, 37, La Crosse, Wisconsin, is charged with possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possessing a firearm in furtherance of that drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.  The indictment alleges that on June 9, 2020, he possessed 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it and also possessed a loaded .357 Magnum pistol. 

If convicted, Kletzke faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum penalty of 40 years in federal prison on the methamphetamine charge.  The charge of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years; federal law requires that any sentence imposed for this charge be served consecutive to any sentence imposed on any other criminal charge.  The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm has a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.

The charges against Kletzke are the result of an investigation by the La Crosse Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow is handling the prosecution.

La Crosse Woman Charged with Possessing Methamphetamine for Distribution

Sandy Xiong, 30, La Crosse, Wisconsin, is charged with two counts of possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it.  The indictment alleges that she possessed the methamphetamine on February 10, 2020. 

If convicted, Xiong faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison on each count.  The charges against her are the result of an investigation by the West Central Metropolitan Enforcement Group; La Crosse, Prairie du Chien, and Campbell Police Departments; and the Vernon and Grant County Sheriffs’ Offices.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Anderson is handling the prosecution.

Wausau Man Charged with Tax Evasion

Leonard Kersten, 55, Wausau, Wisconsin, is charged with three counts of tax evasion.  The indictment alleges that Kersten attempted to evade income tax owed by him and his spouse by filing false tax returns which substantially understated his gross income for calendar years 2014, 2015, and 2016.

The indictment alleges that Kersten used his position as a bookkeeper and office manager for a lumber company in Birnamwood, Wisconsin to write checks from the company’s checking account to himself and his spouse, and to create false entries in the company’s general ledger.  The indictment alleges that between January 2007 and September 2017, Kersten wrote and concealed approximately $1.7 million in checks, and that he failed to report any of the income from these checks.  

If convicted, Kersten faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison on each count.  The charges against him are the result of an investigation by IRS Criminal Investigation, with assistance from the Office of the U.S. Bankruptcy Trustee.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Meredith P. Duchemin is handling the prosecution.

MADISON, WIS. -- A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin, sitting in Madison, returned the following indictments today.  You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Madison Man Charged with CARES Act Fraud

Ahmad Kanan, also known as Ahmed Kanaan, 48, formerly of Madison, Wisconsin, is charged with wire fraud and money laundering.  The indictment alleges that he committed wire fraud and money laundering in connection with applications for loans through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, a federal law enacted on March 27, 2020.  PPP allowed qualifying small businesses to receive unsecured Small Business Administration guaranteed loans. 

The indictment alleges that Kanan, acting as the Chief Executive Officer and 100% owner of Altin Labs, Inc., applied for two PPP loans totaling $119,560, and when asked as part of the application process whether he was subject to any criminal charges, he falsely answered no.  The indictment alleges that Kanan was aware that on October 10, 2019, he had been indicted by a federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin on charges of access device fraud and attempted access device fraud. 

The indictment also charges Kanan with money laundering, alleging that he transferred $47,000 in fraudulently obtained PPP loan proceeds from the Altin Labs, Inc. bank account to his checking account.

If convicted, Kanan faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count.  The charges against him are the result of an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary J. Corey and Meredith P. Duchemin are handling the prosecution.

Two Charged with Food Stamp Fraud

James Davis, 53, Port San Lucie, Florida, and Gary Baker, 49, Madison, Wisconsin, are charged with four counts of wire fraud and two counts of food stamp fraud.  The indictment alleges that from January 2011 to April 2016, Davis and Baker used fraudulently obtained Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) cards, commonly known as food stamps, to purchase food and other items for use at a food cart and a restaurant they operated in Madison, both named JD’s. 

According to the indictment, in Wisconsin SNAP benefits are issued to qualified recipients through magnetically encoded cards that operate like debit cards.  The indictment alleges that Davis and Baker acquired approximately 358 SNAP cards representing 254 different households in Wisconsin, and used the SNAP cards to purchase approximately $90,837 of food and other items at Sam’s Club in Madison.  Specifically, the indictment charges them with four counts of wire fraud related to these purchases, and with two counts of presenting more than $100 worth of SNAP benefits belonging to a SNAP recipient for redemption at Sam’s Club. 

If convicted, Davis and Baker face a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each wire fraud count and five years in prison on each food stamp fraud count.  The charges against them are the result of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron D. Wegner is handling the prosecution.

Madison Man Charged with Extortion

Devonere Johnson, 28, Madison, Wisconsin, is charged with two counts of extortion in connection with threats made to Madison businesses.  Johnson previously was charged with these offenses in a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Madison on June 26.  Federal law requires that felony offenses charged in a criminal complaint subsequently be charged by an indictment returned by a grand jury. 

The indictment alleges that Johnson attempted to obtain money and property by consent induced by the threatened use of force, violence, and fear.  The indictment alleges that on June 22 and 23, 2020, Johnson threated that the windows of a business would be destroyed unless a person associated with the business made a payment to Johnson’s Venmo account.  The second count of the indictment alleges that on June 22 and 23, 2020, Johnson threatened to shut down and destroy a second business unless Johnson and his associates were provided free food and beverages.  

If convicted, Johnson faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count.  The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Madison Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey C. Stephan is handling the prosecution.

Lafayette County Man Charged with Receiving and Possessing Child Pornography

Alan J. Liphart, 36, Darlington, Wisconsin, is charged with receiving and possessing visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.  The indictment alleges that on September 7, 2015, Liphart received a child pornography image via text message, and that on May 25, 2020, he possessed a TracFone that contained child pornography depictions and that at least one of the depictions involved a minor who had not attained 12 years of age.

If convicted, Liphart faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum of 20 years in federal prison on the charge of receiving child pornography, and 10 years on the possession of child pornography charge.  The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the Darlington Police Department, Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office, and Rock Island (Illinois) Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman is handling the prosecution.

Altoona Man Previously Charged with Sex Trafficking Faces Additional Child Pornography Charges

Daniel Peggs, 33, Altoona, Wisconsin, is charged in a superseding indictment with sex trafficking a minor, two counts of producing child pornography, one count of possessing child pornography, and two counts of receiving child pornography.  Peggs previously was charged in an indictment returned by the grand jury on February 12, 2020, with sex trafficking a minor and one count of producing child pornography.

The superseding indictment alleges that from October 2015 through May 2016, Peggs recruited a minor knowing that the minor would be caused to engage in a commercial sex act; that he produced two videos of sexually explicit conduct using the minor; that he possessed a computer hard drive that contained depictions of child pornography and that at least one of the depictions involved a minor who had not attained 12 years of age; and that twice he knowingly received child pornography images via text message. 

If convicted, Peggs faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years and a maximum of life in federal prison on the sex trafficking a minor charge, a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years on each production of child pornography charge, a mandatory minimum of five years and a maximum of 20 years on each receiving child pornography charge, and a maximum of 20 years on the possession of child pornography charge. 

Peggs’ trial is scheduled to take place on October 19, 2020, in U.S. District Court in Madison before Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson.

The charges against Peggs are the result of an investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie S. Pfluger is handling the prosecution.

Madison Man Faces Drug & Gun Charges

Arwin C. Lacy, 29, Madison, Wisconsin, is charged with possessing cocaine with intent to distribute on June 18, 2020, and with possessing a loaded firearm in furtherance of that drug trafficking crime.  The indictment also charges him with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, alleging that he possessed a loaded 9mm handgun and ammunition on June 18. 

If convicted, Lacy faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on the cocaine charge and 10 years on the felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition charge.  Lacy faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in federal prison on the charge of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; federal law requires that any penalty imposed for this charge be served consecutive to any penalty imposed on the possession of cocaine with intent to distribute charge. 

The charges against Lacy are the result of an investigation by the Madison Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven P. Anderson is handling the prosecution.

The indictment charging Lacy has been brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Department’s program to reduce violent crime.  The PSN approach emphasizes coordination between state and federal prosecutors and all levels of law enforcement to address gun crime, especially felons illegally possessing firearms and ammunition, and violent crimes and drug crimes that involve the use of firearms. 

ADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Charles Dickerson, 46, Madison, Wisconsin, pleaded guilty on June 26 to possessing cocaine with intent to distribute cocaine.  Immediately following the guilty plea, U.S. District Judge William M. Conley sentenced Dickerson to 60 months in federal prison.

On October 16, 2019, a confidential informant working with law enforcement officers called Dickerson to buy cocaine.  During the phone call, Dickerson agreed to meet the confidential informant at a Kwik Trip gas station on Fish Hatchery Road in Madison. When Dickerson arrived at the Kwik Trip, officers attempted to perform a traffic stop on his vehicle.  However, Dickerson eluded officers and drove onto Fish Hatchery Road at a high rate of speed. 

Dickerson drove through several red lights on Fish Hatchery Road before making a right turn onto Caddis Bend.  Officers found Dickerson’s unoccupied vehicle a few minutes later on Caddis Bend.  Officers searched the area but could not locate Dickerson.  However, officers recovered 249 grams of cocaine in the middle of Caddis Bend that Dickerson had thrown out of his car before fleeing on foot. 

In imposing the sentence, Judge Conley stated that a 60-month sentence was necessary because Dickerson was involved in selling a significant amount of cocaine and was on supervision in Dane County for a cocaine trafficking felony conviction at the time of attempted cocaine sale. In addition, Judge Conley noted that Dickerson’s decision to flee officers at a high rate of speed was extremely dangerous and put innocent citizens at risk. 

The charge against Dickerson is the result of a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation.  The investigation was conducted and funded by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a multi-agency task force that coordinates long-term narcotics trafficking investigations.  The prosecution of the case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron D. Wegner.

MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Dudley Hellenbrand, 68, and Cherie Hellenbrand, 46, both of Middleton, Wisconsin, were sentenced today by U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to each serve six months in federal prison for filing a false income tax return with the Internal Revenue Service.  The judge staggered the prison sentences to allow one parent to stay home with their children.  Dudley Hellenbrand reports to prison on July 27, 2020. Cherie Hellenbrand must report on June 14, 2021.

On July 11, 2019, both defendants pleaded guilty to a one-count information that charged them with filing a false 2017 income tax return with the IRS.  The information alleged that the Hellenbrands owned and operated a sports bar/bowling alley in Middleton called Middleton Sport Bowl.

According to the information, the defendants contracted with a video gambling machine (“VGM”) vendor to have VGMs placed at Middleton Sport Bowl.  The defendants split the cash receipts generated by the VGMs with the vendor, with the defendants most recently receiving 75% of the VGM profits, and the vendor receiving the remaining 25%.

As part of the plea agreement, the Hellenbrands admitted they skimmed the VGM cash receipts from Middleton Sport Bowl, and did not report the skimmed receipts on their state and federal income tax returns.  The Hellenbrands agreed the total tax loss from the skim, for both state and federal income taxes, totaled $268,852.04 for the years 2010-2017.

This tax investigation started with a U.S. Department of Treasury Special Agent working as an undercover agent and posing as a buyer of a bar listed for sale by Cherie and Dudley Hellenbrand in August 2017. The bar was Middleton Sport Bowl (MSB) in Middleton.  On May 31, 2018, the undercover agent met with the Hellenbrands and their VGM vendors at Middleton Sport Bowl.  During that meeting, the vendors told the undercover agent they skimmed the cash receipts from the VGMs and prepared fake handwritten collection tickets showing much lower numbers for what came in, what came out, and what was the profit.  These fake tickets were then used to report a fraction of the skim on the state and federal tax returns for the vendors as well as the Hellenbrands. 

At today’s sentencing, Judge Peterson noted the Hellenbrands were good and decent people, but they compartmentalized an area of their lives to justify the cash skim of the VGM receipts at Middleton Sport Bowl, and not report all of these receipts on their tax returns.  Judge Peterson stated that a term of incarceration was necessary to punish these defendants for their criminal conduct because it was knowing, calculated, and deliberate.  Lastly, Judge Peterson explained that a period of incarceration was necessary to send a general deterrence message to the taxpaying community – “the tax laws must be respected and if you violate those laws you will not receive a slap on the wrist, and you may end up going to federal prison, like these two defendants.”

On June 19, 2020, Judge Peterson sentenced Tom Laugen to 1 year and 1 day in federal prison for his role in this VGM skim and tax evasion scheme. Laugen pleaded guilty to federal income tax evasion on July 12, 2019 and admitted he was a VGM vendor who supplied VGMs to the Hellenbrands at Middleton Sport Bowl from 2004 to 2017, and split the skimmed VGM cash receipts with the Hellenbrands.   

The case against the Hellenbrands and Laugen is the result of an ongoing investigation being conducted by IRS Criminal Investigation and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, Office of Criminal Investigation.  The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel Graber and Chadwick Elgersma.

MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced today a federal criminal complaint charging Devonere Johnson, 28, with extortion in connection with threats made to Madison businesses this week.  Johnson, who was arrested on state charges earlier this week, will make an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Madison on a date and time to be determined.

The complaint charges Johnson with attempting to obtain money and property by consent induced by the threatened use of force, violence, and fear. 

The complaint alleges that on June 22, Johnson threated that the windows of a business would be destroyed unless a person associated with the business made a payment to Johnson’s Venmo account.  The second count of the complaint alleges that on June 22, Johnson threatened to shut down and destroy a second business unless Johnson and his associates were provided free food and beverages.    

“Those who attempt to take advantage of recent events to extort local businesses under the guise of community activism will be vigorously prosecuted,” said U.S. Attorney Blader. “All citizens have a right to feel safe within their communities.  Extortion is not activism, it is a crime and it will not be tolerated.”

If convicted, Johnson faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count. The charges against Johnson are the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Madison Police Department. 

You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Deonte Turner, 28, Fitchburg, Wisconsin was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 37 months in prison for unlawfully possessing a loaded firearm as a felon.  Turner pleaded guilty to this charge on December 27, 2019.

Turner was arrested in possession of a loaded Glock .45 caliber handgun on August 19, 2019. Turner was outside of a local hotel with a drug dealer, whom police were looking to arrest.  Turner’s gun was in his duffle bag.  In 2014, Turner was convicted of felony armed robbery. In 2017, he was convicted of felony bail jumping. Finally, in 2018, he was convicted of felony possession of THC (2nd + offense).

Based on Turner’s criminal history and his offense conduct, the federal sentencing guidelines recommended a range of imprisonment of 37 to 46 months.  All of Turner’s felony convictions were in Dane County, and the longest sentence he has previously served was 10 months.  As a result, Turner requested a sentence of 12 months and 1 day.

Judge Peterson rejected Turner’s request, recognizing that Madison and surrounding communities are experiencing an uptick in gun violence and that possession of a loaded firearm presents “a very real danger.”  Judge Peterson also stated that a loaded gun is “like a bomb waiting to go off.” 

The charge against Turner was the result of an investigation conducted by the Dane County Narcotics Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow. 

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that D’Angelo Smith, 43, Madison, Wisconsin was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 12 years in prison for possessing more than 100 grams of heroin with the intent to distribute it.   Smith pleaded guilty to this charge on January 21, 2020.

On June 17, 2019, police conducted searches of Smith’s home on Langdon Street in Madison, and his barbershop on Thierer Road in Madison. During the search of Smith’s home, police found 176 grams of heroin inside a disposable fast food coffee cup.  Smith was stopped after driving away from one of the search locations.  Police searched Smith’s car and found a case containing a digital scale and several tied off baggies of controlled substances, including heroin.

In sentencing Smith, Judge Peterson said a lengthy sentence was necessary because of Smith’s extensive criminal history which included prior drug trafficking convictions and his return to the drug activity soon after his release from a prior sentence.  

The charges against D’Angelo Smith were the result of an investigation conducted by the Sun Prairie Police Department, Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Dane County Narcotics Task Force.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Anderson. 

MADISON, WIS. –Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Darrin Demrow, 41, Brodhead, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to six years in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.  Demrow pleaded guilty to this charge on January 16, 2020. 

Demrow was arrested on November 21, 2019, after he purchased over 100 grams of methamphetamine in Texas and drove the drugs back to his home in Brodhead.  The investigation revealed that prior to his arrest, Demrow received seven mail packages from Texas that likely contained methamphetamine.  Federal agents searched and seized one of those packages on August 8, 2019, and found approximately one ounce of methamphetamine. 

At the sentencing hearing, Judge Conley found that Demrow was a danger to society based on his lengthy criminal history, which included prior felony convictions for burglary, domestic abuse, bail jumping, and possession of narcotic drugs.  Judge Conley also noted that Demrow’s criminal activity occurred while on supervision from a felony burglary conviction and on probation from a separate felony drug conviction.

The charge against Demrow was the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Green County Sheriff’s Department, Rock County Sheriff’s Department, Stateline Area Narcotics Task Force, and Drug Enforcement Administration.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Wegner.

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Isaac Morales, 44, Tomah, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 21 months in federal prison for unlawfully possessing a firearm knowing he was a convicted felon.  Morales pleaded guilty to this charge on December 30, 2019.

On February 15, 2019, Morales’ domestic partner called 911 after a disturbance, and said Morales had a gun.  Prior to police arriving, Morales hid the handgun and two magazines in an outbuilding.  Morales initially told the police that he sold the gun, but then admitted he lied because he is a felon and he knew he couldn’t have the gun. Both Morales and his girlfriend consented to a search of the property, and police recovered a Ruger 9mm pistol with two loaded magazines

In 2007, Morales was convicted of conspiracy to harbor aliens in the Southern District of Texas, and he has multiple misdemeanor convictions.  Today, Judge Conley rejected Morales’ request for a sentence of probation, because Morales repeatedly violated conditions of his pretrial release.  Morales was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

The charge against Morales was the result of an investigation conducted by the Tomah Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow.

MADISON, WIS. – The U.S. Department of Justice‘s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) today announced $12 million in funding to support state-level law enforcement agencies in combating the illegal manufacturing and distribution of methamphetamine.  The Wisconsin Department of Justice has been awarded a grant in the amount of $1,000,000.

“Methamphetamine is a dangerous drug that threatens the health and safety of our communities, and these funds will support statewide efforts to combat it,” said Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin. “My office has made the prosecution of those who manufacture and distribute this deadly drug a priority.”  

“The scourge of opioid and methamphetamine use continues to take a devastating toll on our nation’s communities,” said COPS Office Director Phil Keith.  “By providing these resources to law enforcement to help combat the further spread, the COPS Office is demonstrating our commitment to this Administration’s priority of reducing drug use and protecting our citizens from this public health and safety crisis.”`

Through the COPS Anti-Methamphetamine Program (CAMP), the COPS Office is awarding $12 million to 12 state law enforcement agencies, including the Wisconsin Department of Justice.  These state agencies have demonstrated numerous seizures of precursor chemicals, finished methamphetamine, laboratories, and laboratory dump seizures.  State agencies are being awarded three years of funding through CAMP to support the location or investigation of illicit activities related to the manufacture and distribution of methamphetamine, including precursor diversion, laboratories, or methamphetamine trafficking.

The COPS Office is a federal agency responsible for advancing community policing nationwide. Since 1994, the COPS Office has invested more than $14 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of approximately 135,000 officers and provide a variety of knowledge resource products including publications, training and technical assistance. For additional information about the COPS Office, please visit www.cops.usdoj.gov.

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Jack Washington, 43, Lake Delton, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 78 months in federal prison for possessing 28 grams or more of crack cocaine with intent to distribute.  This prison term will be followed by four years of supervised release.

 This is Washington’s third felony conviction related to the possession or distribution of crack cocaine.  At the time of this offense, he was serving a term of state supervision for similar conduct.  Judge Conley ordered the sentence in this case to run consecutively the prison sentence Washington is serving as a result of revoking his state supervision.

The total amount of crack cocaine attributable to the Washington was about 50 grams.  In sentencing Washington, Judge Conley recognized that Washington had committed himself to making a living by criminal activity, and to support his own addictions.  Judge Conley also noted that a sentence above the five-year mandatory minimum was warranted because Washington’s drug dealing had gotten worse as he got older.

The charge against Washington was the result of an investigation conducted by the Sauk County Sheriff’s Office and Lake Delton Police Department.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor L. Kraus.

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Kyle A. Riggs, 34, Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 150 months in prison for distributing child pornography.  This term of imprisonment is to be followed by 10 years of supervised release.  Riggs pleaded guilty to this charge on January 13, 2020. 

In May 2019, an undercover officer created a profile on a social networking and dating application, portraying himself as an 11-year-old girl, “Miranda.”  Riggs reached out to “Miranda” and began sending sexualized statements.  The two then continued their conversation on Kik.  Despite believing “Miranda” was 11, Riggs indicated he wanted to have sex with her and film it.  He also repeatedly asked “Miranda” to send him pictures. 

On October 5, 2019, Riggs sent “Miranda” a video showing an adult male sexually assaulting a prepubescent girl.  He claimed the video showed him sexually assaulting a neighbor.  While that proved to be false, the investigation revealed that Riggs had sexually assaulted a different child, and will likely face state charges for that in the future. 

At sentencing, Riggs blamed marijuana and alcohol for his actions but Judge Conley found that to be “at most a little too easy” of an excuse.  Judge Conley determined that a lengthy sentence was necessary because the defendant’s crimes were so serious and damaging to its victims.  

The charge against Riggs was the result of an investigation conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, the Eau Claire and Fort Atkinson Police Departments, the Jefferson and Shawano County Sheriffs’ Offices, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.   The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman.