Western District of Wisconsin

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Jermaine Stamps, 33, of Madison, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to five years in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for possessing more than 50 grams of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.  Stamps pleaded guilty to this charge on October 30, 2019.

In June and July 2019, Stamps distributed methamphetamine to an undercover officer on five occasions.  On July 18, 2019, the Dane County Narcotics Task Force executed a search warrant at his apartment.  They recovered 64 grams of methamphetamine, a loaded Glock 9mm pistol and $1,079.  Stamps admitted he had been distributing narcotics for five years, and that he had recently begun selling methamphetamine too.

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 involves collaboration by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and prosecutors and communities 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 Stamps 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 Rita M. Rumbelow. 

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Reginald Lawrence, 53, of Madison, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 65 months in federal prison, followed by a three-year term of supervised release, for possessing heroin with intent to distribute and for possessing two firearms in furtherance of that offense.  Lawrence pleaded guilty to these charges on November 21, 2019.

On July 22, 2019, a woman called police and said Lawrence had pulled a gun on her and that he pushed her out of his apartment by her neck.  When police arrived, Lawrence was observed by an officer carrying a backpack as he was running away from the apartment building.  When police subsequently arrested Lawrence, he was not carrying a backpack, but was in possession of a large amount of cash. 

Lawrence consented to a search of his apartment, and officers recovered small quantities of heroin.  They searched the area where Lawrence had been seen running, and recovered a green backpack.  Lawrence's Medicare card was in the backpack, as was as a loaded 9mm pistol.  Two additional, loaded firearm magazines were also in the backpack, along with 94 grams of heroin, drug packaging materials, and a scale.  In another pocket of the backpack, there was a .380 caliber pistol.  Lawrence later admitted he had been selling heroin for six months. 

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 involves collaboration by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and communities to prevent and deter gun violence. 

The charges against Lawrence were the result of an investigation conducted by the Madison Police Department.  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, today joined with Attorney General William Barr to emphasize the importance of apprehending, prosecuting, and removing aliens who are in the United States illegally and have committed criminal acts.

The Western District of Wisconsin echoes the sentiments expressed today by the Attorney General regarding “sanctuary” policies that prevent local law enforcement from sharing information and honoring federal detention requests in the context of immigration crimes.  Such policies jeopardize public safety by increasing the risk that undocumented persons may commit further crimes before federal authorities can apprehend them. 

Although challenges exist in the Western District of Wisconsin, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has successfully partnered with many local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to prosecute criminal aliens who pose a threat to public safety.  

“The U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country have a vital public safety role in locating, arresting, and prosecuting aliens who are illegally in the United States,” said United States Attorney Blader.  “My office relies on state and local law enforcement to honor detainers issued by federal law enforcement.  Such cooperation prevents illegal aliens in the custody of local jurisdictions from being released into the community.”

“Cooperation amongst federal, state and local agencies is quite simply the most effective way of promoting public safety,” said Robert Guadian, field office director for ICE Chicago, which oversees Wisconsin. “Sanctuary city policies simply don’t work. Instead of promoting public safety, sanctuary policies put the lives of our community’s residents at greater risk.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Wisconsin prosecutes individuals who are found to be in the United States illegally after prior deportations.   In almost all cases, those persons have come to the attention of federal law enforcement after being arrested for or convicted of additional state offenses.  Some examples, which include the conduct which brought them to the attention of federal authorities, their criminal history, and prior removals, are as follows:

Isaac Gutierrez-Blandon, Nicaraguan citizen, was arrested in May 2019 in Marquette County for obstructing an officer and operating a vehicle after revocation.  Marquette County Officers transferred Gutierrez-Blandon to Dane County after discovering multiple Dane County arrest warrants lodged against him for repeat operating while intoxicated (OWI) offenses. In 2007, Gutierrez-Blandon was convicted in Wisconsin for homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle.  He had been removed from the United States six times, including twice after felony convictions in the Western District of Wisconsin for illegally reentering the United States after being deported.  In September 2019, he was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison after his third felony conviction for illegally reentering the United States.

Rodrigo Miranda-Arias, a Mexican citizen, was convicted in Dane County in April 2018 of sexual assault of a child and incest.  Miranda-Arias was deported in 2008 after being convicted in Iowa of misdemeanor assault causing bodily injury.  In May 2019, he was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for illegally reentering the United States.

Martin Orozco-Lopez, a Guatemalan citizen, was arrested in Monroe County in February 2017 for first degree sexual assault of a child.  He was convicted of a felony domestic violence offense in Monroe County in 2014.  He had been removed from the United States three prior times.  In July 2019, he was sentenced to six months in federal prison for illegally reentering the United States.

Ascension Pascual-Rodriguez, a Mexican citizen, was arrested in Trempealeau County for stalking, violating a foreign protection order, and bail jumping.  He had been removed from the United States twice, including after a felony drug conviction in Missouri.  In May 2018, he was sentenced to 12 months in federal prison for illegally reentering the United States.

Jose Hernandez-Mendoza, a Mexican citizen, was arrested in Jefferson County in May 2019 for felony bail jumping and an outstanding warrant for delivery of cocaine.  He has prior convictions for offenses that include possession of THC, battery (domestic abuse), failure to support a child, and resisting an officer.  He was removed from the United States in 2017 and 2018.  On January 30, he was sentenced to two years in federal prison for illegally reentering the United States. 

Jose Marcos Torres, a citizen of Mexico, was arrested in Trempealeau County for false imprisonment, substantial battery, OWI, and disorderly conduct (domestic abuse).  He has been removed from the United States twice.  He has pleaded guilty to illegally reentering the United States and will be sentenced in U.S. District Court in Madison on February 12, 2020. 

“These stark examples demonstrate the need for all law enforcement agencies to work together to protect public safety and ensure that our immigration laws fairly protect the interest of current citizens, as well as those who seek to become citizens,” said United States Attorney Blader.

MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader and Matthew D. Krueger, United States Attorneys for the Western and Eastern Districts of Wisconsin, respectively, announced today that their offices have observed a substantial decrease in opioid prescribing among medical providers who received warning letters as part of last year’s opioid initiative. 

Last February, the United States Attorneys’ Offices sent letters to more than 180 Wisconsin physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners advising that a review of their prescribing practices showed that they were prescribing opioids at relatively high levels compared to evidence-based prescribing guidelines.  The letters warned that these prescribing practices could be contributing to the flow of prescription opioids into illegal markets and could lead to civil and criminal enforcement actions.  Thanks partly to this initiative and the consistent efforts by the Wisconsin medical community to stem over-prescribing, Wisconsin has seen substantial progress in the fight against opioid abuse. 

Last year’s opioid initiative has also led to meaningful discussions and collaboration amongst members of the law enforcement and medical communities.  In April, the United States Attorneys’ Offices coordinated a roundtable discussion in Madison, where representatives from federal and state law enforcement and the Wisconsin medical community discussed collaborative methods for stemming opioid overprescribing among the state’s prescribers.  In October, the United States Attorneys’ Offices met with the medical community and other treatment, prevention, harm reduction, and enforcement partners to hold an opioid and methamphetamine summit with the theme of “Making Progress Through Collaboration.”  More than 500 people attended the two-day conference, which featured updates on trends from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration as well as the Wisconsin Society of Addiction Medicine.  The United States Attorneys have also sent representatives to speak at hospital meetings and medical society gatherings about the dangers of opioid diversion.  Through these efforts, the United States Attorneys seek to establish a dialogue with the medical community about safe and legal prescribing practices, and how best to address the state’s opioid epidemic.

In addition to the letters and outreach, the United States Attorneys and their federal and state law enforcement partners have continued to pursue cases in the past year against medical providers who knowingly prescribe narcotics beyond medical necessity.  Recently, in the Western District of Wisconsin, Thomas Strick, a Wausau physician, was sentenced to three months in federal prison and one year of supervised release for diverting prescription fentanyl for personal use.  In Strick’s case, the government’s investigation revealed that between 2011 and 2018, he had prescribed fentanyl patches to at least six patients without medical need and instructed those patients to return the filled prescriptions to him for personal use.  In total, Strick had written 193 fraudulent fentanyl prescriptions and acquired 3,156 patches as part of the scheme.  After Strick’s guilty plea, United States Attorney Blader reaffirmed his office’s commitment to holding accountable “medical practitioners who violate their oaths.”  According to Blader, “our goal is to work with law enforcement and medical partners to stop addictions before they start by stemming the diversion of prescription opioids to unlawful channels.”

Likewise, in the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Steven Kotsonis, a Menomonee Falls medical doctor, and his office manager, were convicted of unlawfully distributing Oxycodone.  Both face up to twenty years in prison at sentencing.  After Kotsonis and his office manager pled guilty on December 17, 2019, United States Attorney Krueger said, “this case underscores the Justice Department’s commitment to combatting the opioid crisis.”  He emphasized that “far too many Wisconsinites have seen loved ones suffer from an opioid addiction or, worse, an overdose.  Because the path to addiction often begins with prescription opioids, we are committed to investigating and prosecuting prescribers like Kotsonis who deal drugs behind the façade of medical practice.”

The active participation of Wisconsin medical systems, medical societies, and medical regulators has been essential to reducing opioid over-prescribing in Wisconsin.  Many medical systems have undertaken internal reviews of employee prescribing practices, while medical societies have reinvigorated programs aimed at training providers about safe and lawful opioid prescribing.  The Wisconsin medical community is also engaged in renewed information sharing efforts designed to identify and stem pill-seeking behavior before prescriptions are written.

Due to sustained efforts of all partners, total opioid prescriptions in Wisconsin have declined by 30 percent between 2016 and 2019, according to data from the Wisconsin Prescription Drug Monitoring Program.  The letters sent by the United States Attorneys appear to have amplified this downward trend.  Looking at Medicare prescription data, the total amount of opioids that letter recipients prescribed from July 2017 to June 2019, decreased by about 20 percent in the Western District and about 29 percent in the Eastern District compared the total amount opioids that recipients prescribed from July 2016 to June 2018, before the letters were sent.

In the coming year, the United States Attorneys’ Offices will continue to work with the Wisconsin medical community in support of their efforts to educate providers and monitor opioid prescribing.  This will include redoubling efforts to ensure that providers have access to the best information available before prescribing opioids by ensuring that law enforcement is submitting timely and accurate overdose and arrest data to the Wisconsin Prescription Drug Monitoring Program.  The United States Attorneys’ Offices will also continue to monitor opioid prescribing data and take further action, as necessary, against prescribers whose practices substantially exceed evidence-based prescribing guidelines. 

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Victor Williams, 41, Melrose, Wisconsin, was sentenced on Tuesday, January 28, by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 57 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Williams pleaded guilty to this offense on November 13, 2019.

On July 2, 2019, agents executed a search warrant at Williams’ residence outside of Melrose.  In the defendant’s room, officers found a 9 mm Ruger handgun and some Remington ammunition.  The defendant was later interviewed and said the firearm was his and that he had it for protection.  Williams had previously been convicted of multiple drug felonies.

In sentencing the defendant, Judge Conley stated that having a loaded firearm as part of the drug trade created a dangerous situation, and expressed hope that the sentence would be a wake-up call for the defendant. 

The charge against Williams was the result of an investigation conducted by the Tomah Police Department, West Central Metropolitan Enforcement Group, Jackson and Monroe County Sheriffs’ Offices, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman. 

This case was brought as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, 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, and Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul announced today the unsealing of an indictment charging David M. Kruchten, 37, Cottage Grove, Wisconsin, with attempting to produce child pornography.  The indictment was returned yesterday by a federal grand jury, sitting in Madison, and was unsealed after Kruchten was arrested earlier today.

The indictment charges Kruchten with seven counts of attempting to use a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of the conduct.  The indictment alleges that he attempted to produce the child pornography in Wisconsin using hidden recording devices on October 27, 2019, and on January 20, 2019. 

Kruchten, a teacher at Madison East High School, was arrested this morning at his home.  He will make an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Madison today.

 “My office is committed to vigorously investigating those who target children and prosecuting them to the fullest extent of the law,” said U.S. Attorney Blader.

“This indictment alleges criminal conduct that is an unconscionable betrayal of trust,” said Attorney General Kaul. “Thank you to everyone whose hard work resulted in today’s arrest. We will continue working to ensure that there is full accountability for the crimes alleged in this case.”

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

James Vinson, 33, La Crosse, Wisconsin, is charged with distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.  The indictment alleges that he distributed the methamphetamine on December 5, 2019.

If convicted, Vinson faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum penalty of 40 years in federal prison.  The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the La Crosse County Sheriff’s Office, the West Central Metropolitan Enforcement Group, and the Onalaska and La Crosse Police Departments.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Anderson is handling the prosecution.

Madison Man Charged with Threatening Federal Probation Officer

Amin W. Williams, 37, Madison, Wisconsin, is charged with threatening to assault a federal law enforcement officer.  The indictment alleges that on August 27, 2019, Williams threatened a U.S. Probation Officer with the intent to retaliate against the officer, while the officer was engaged in the performance of his official duties.

If convicted, Williams faces a maximum penalty of six years in federal prison.  The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Marshals Service.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan is handling the prosecution.

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Jere Wipfli, 48, Nekoosa, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 72 months in federal prison for illegally possessing a sawed-off shotgun.  Wipfli pleaded guilty to this charge on August 16, 2019. 

On May 24, 2018, Wipfli failed to appear for a jury trial in Adams County, Wisconsin.  Law enforcement officers traveled to Wipfli’s Nekoosa home where they arrested him.  While at Wipfli's residence, officers observed freshly fired shell casings on the deck and driveway.  A condition of Wipfli's bond prohibited him from possessing weapons.  Officers obtained a search warrant for Wipfli's residence and seized a sawed-off Remington 12-gauge shotgun, as well as evidence of drug distribution.  During an interview with law enforcement, Wipfli admitted to possessing the weapon and knowing it was illegal due to its length.

The charge against Wipfli was the result of an investigation conducted by the Rome Police Department, Juneau County Sheriff’s Office, Necedah Police Department, Nekoosa Police Department, Adams County District Attorney’s Office, Juneau County District Attorney’s Office, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Chadwick M. Elgersma handled the prosecution.

This case was brought as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, 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 Martell Norris, 37, Chicago, Illinois was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to two concurrent 15-year prison terms for possessing cocaine base (crack cocaine) with intent to distribute and possessing a loaded firearm as a felon. 

Norris pled guilty to these offenses on October 31, 2019.  On May 16, 2019, he arranged to sell cocaine to one of his customers.  Law enforcement learned of the planned sale, which was to occur on East Washington Avenue in Madison, and moved in to arrest Norris.  Norris fled in a vehicle, triggering a high-speed chase, during which he nearly hit a police officer and caused a nearby bicyclist to crash.  Shortly thereafter, Norris ran into an apartment building on South Blount Street where he was arrested. 

At the South Blount Street location, Norris discarded a backpack he had been wearing down a trash chute that emptied in a ground level dumpster.  In the dumpster, officers found Norris’s backpack which contained 125 grams of powder cocaine, 75 grams of crack cocaine, a digital scale, and a loaded, semiautomatic pistol.

While Norris was subject to a 15-year minimum mandatory based on his firearm possession after having been convicted of three violent felonies, Judge Peterson indicated that he would have provided Norris the same sentence even if no minimum mandatory applied.  The facts at sentencing showed that Norris was a kilogram-level cocaine dealer and possessed additional high powered firearms.  Judge Peterson explained that a lengthy prison term was necessary to protect the public from Norris because he used firearms in his drug dealing business and because, in selling large quantities of cocaine, he exploited addicts and drove them into poverty. 

The charges against Norris were the result of an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, Dane County Narcotics Task Force, and Mauston Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy M. O’Shea handled this case.

This case was brought as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, 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 Jason Ray Scott, 39, Winnesboro, Texas, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 14 months in federal prison for failing to register as a sex offender in Wisconsin.  This prison term will be followed by five years of supervised release.

In 2013, Scott was convicted in Texas of online solicitation of a minor for sexual conduct.  As a result of this state conviction, Scott was required to register as a sex offender, but failed to do so.  In August 2018, Scott was arrested in Portage County, Wisconsin, on an outstanding warrant from Texas for failure to register there.  From late 2017 through August 31, 2018, Scott worked and lived in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.  Scott did not report his Wisconsin employment or residence as required, which led to the federal charge for failure to register in Wisconsin for which he was sentenced today.

After Scott was released from state custody on the Texas warrant, but before he was charged with failure to register in Wisconsin, he travelled to Eagle County, Colorado.  He was charged with failure to register as a sex offender and sexual exploitation of a child in Eagle County, Colorado.  Scott’s Colorado charges are still pending.

The charge against Scott was the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Pfluger.

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that David Ohmar Harris, 27, of Las Vegas, Nevada, was sentenced January 10, 2020, by U.S. District Judge William Conley to 15 years in federal prison for producing child pornography.  This term of imprisonment will be followed by 25 years of supervised release.  Harris pleaded guilty to this charge on October 7, 2019.

Between December 2016 and August 2017, the defendant coerced and manipulated numerous underage girls to send him explicit images of themselves. When they failed to comply with his demands to send more images, he posted their explicit images on the website Pornhub and sent them to the girls’ relatives.  Judge Conley said that Harris’s conduct was monstrous and created a “real world nightmare” for his victims. 

Judge Conley praised the victim who originally came forward to report this crime, saying she showed “strength, bravery, and courage.”  He indicated that by coming forward, she likely saved many girls and young women from the defendant’s unthinkable bullying.

The charge against Harris was the result of an investigation conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, with the assistance of the North Las Vegas and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Departments, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman. 

MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Ronald Rice, aka Lil Ron, 35, Madison, Wisconsin, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Madison to illegal possession of a firearm by a felon.  This charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

During the plea hearing, Rice admitted that, on May 19, 2019, while at a party on North Wickham Court in Madison, he possessed a Glock .40 caliber firearm.  At the time of the incident, Rice was on federal supervised release for distributing crack cocaine.

As part of the plea agreement, the parties agreed to recommend to the Court that Rice receive a prison sentence of 71 months.  Rice admitted as part of his plea agreement that he was on supervised release at the time he possessed the firearm, and that he violated his conditions of supervised release by possessing a firearm.  The parties also agreed to recommend to the court that Rice receive a sentence of 24 months, to be served consecutive to the 71 months, for his violation of the supervised release conditions.  Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson scheduled Rice’s sentencing for April 8, 2020, at 10:00 a.m.

In addition to the federal drug conviction, Rice has three other felony convictions, including a state charge of possessing cocaine with intent to distribute.

The charge against Rice is the result of an investigation conducted by the Madison Police Department.  The prosecution of this case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Graber.

The charge against Rice was 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 Antonio Sims, 39, Janesville, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 46 months in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Sims pled guilty to this offense on October 8, 2019.

On July 4, 2019, Janesville law enforcement officers responded to a complaint of a man making threats with a gun.  The officers made contact with Sims who fit the description provided to them.  When officers attempted to take Sims into custody, Sims fled on foot. With officers in close pursuit, Sims retrieved a handgun from his waistband and discharged it in the air three times. 

Sims previously had been convicted of five felony offenses, including possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and aggravated battery.

The charge against Sims was the result of an investigation conducted by the Janesville Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The prosecution of this case has been handled by United States Attorney Blader. 

The charge against Sims was 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 Travis Hicks, 24, Madison, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to two years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.   Hicks pleaded guilty to this charge on October 9, 2019.

In 2013, Hicks was convicted of the felony crime of assault with a dangerous weapon.  On October 4, 2018, Hicks was in Jackson, Michigan, with a friend and was shot at during a drive-by shooting.  The friend returned fire and both fled the scene.  Police arrested Hicks that day and found ammunition in his vehicle.  Hicks was charged in state court in Michigan with being a felon in possession of ammunition and was released after posting bond on December 10, 2018.  Hicks failed to appear at a hearing in the case on January 15, 2019, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

On March 5, 2019, Hicks was arrested on the fugitive warrant in a Madison hotel room.  In that room, law enforcement found a plastic box for a Glock 19 9mm pistol.  A search warrant was executed on Hicks’ cell phone, and officers found videos of him holding a Maadi 7.62 caliber AK-47 type rifle and a Glock pistol.  The investigation revealed that on January 22, 2019, while in Madison, Hicks possessed the Maadi rifle which he traded for a Glock 19 9mm pistol.  

At sentencing, Judge Peterson said that when dealing with gun crimes, protection of the public is always the first concern.  Judge Peterson noted that Hicks associates with people who use firearms and expressed concern that an innocent bystander could be shot in an exchange of gunfire.  Because of that, Judge Peterson found that Hicks posed a risk to the public.

The charge against Hicks was the result of an investigation conducted by the Madison Police Department 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. -- 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.

Minocqua Man Charged with Possessing Child Pornography

Matthew K. Kummer, 50, Minocqua, Wisconsin, is charged with possessing child pornography.  The indictment alleges that on October 27, 2019, he possessed a USB storage device containing visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.  The indictment further alleges that at least one of the depictions involved a minor who had not attained 12 years of age.

If convicted, Kummer faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years and a maximum of 20 years 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 Minocqua and Woodruff Police Departments.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman is handling the prosecution.

Eau Claire Man Charged with Transporting Child Pornography

Jay A. Liestman, 48, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, is charged with transporting and aiding and abetting the transportation of child pornography.  The indictment alleges that he used Kik messenger to send a link that led to images and videos of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

If convicted, Liestman 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 Federal Bureau of Investigation, Eau Claire County Sheriff’s Office, and Eau Claire Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman is handling the prosecution.

The indictments charging Kummer and Liestman have been brought as a part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Milwaukee Man Charged with Distributing Heroin

Michael Carroll, 49, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is charged in a six-count indictment with crimes involving the possession and distribution of heroin.  The indictment alleges that from September to November 2019, he conspired with others known and unknown to the grand jury to distribute heroin and to possess 100 grams or more of heroin with intent to distribute.  The indictment also alleges that he distributed heroin on four occasions in September, October, and November 2019, and that on November 19, 2019, he possessed heroin with intent to distribute. 

If convicted, Carroll faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison on the conspiracy charge.  The other five charges in the indictment each have a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.  The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the Madison Police Department, Dane County Narcotics Task Force, Dane County Sheriff’s Office, Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, and UW-Madison Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Schlipper is handling the prosecution.

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that William Huff, 54, St. Paul, Minnesota, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to five years in federal prison for possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute.  Huff pleaded guilty to this charge on September 25, 2019. 

On April 20, 2019, Wisconsin State Patrol troopers stopped Huff for speeding in Dunn County and determined that his driver’s license had been revoked.  Due to the suspicious behavior of Huff and his passenger, troopers searched his vehicle.  During the search, troopers found two bags containing a total of 131 grams of methamphetamine.  During a post-arrest interview, Huff admitted that he had purchased the methamphetamine in Minnesota and planned to sell it in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

The charge against Huff was a result of an investigation conducted by the Wisconsin State Patrol, the Dunn County Sheriff’s Office, and the 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 Lamont Davis, 30, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District William M. Conley to 30 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.  This prison term will be followed by three years of supervised release.

In July 2019, a hospital in Eau Claire came into contact with a minor who said Davis was drunk, physically abusive to his children, and that he 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.  Davis had been previously convicted of felony offenses, including assault, and was prohibited from possessing a firearm.  

Judge Conley said Davis is a “profound alcoholic who has yet to address this problem,” and that he has “caused domestic disturbances that have terrorized his girlfriend and children.”

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

The charge against Davis was 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 James Kitzman, 69, Oak Creek, Wisconsin, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Madison to conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act for his role in illegally bartering a northern goshawk.  This charge carries maximum penalties of one year in prison and a $100,000 fine.

During the plea hearing, Kitzman admitted that in late 2016 through August 2017, he and Edward Taylor (a Michigan falconer) arranged to barter a northern goshawk taken from the wild in Vilas County Wisconsin in exchange for a captive-bred Finnish goshawk.  It was part of the conspiracy that they covered up the receipt and transport of the northern goshawk from Wisconsin to Michigan, in violation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) and the Lacey Act.  It is illegal to sell or barter northern goshawks because they are migratory birds and protected by the MBTA.         

Specifically, on May 26, 2017, Kitzman took from the wild a female northern goshawk from a nest located on state land in Vilas County.  Kitzman traded the northern goshawk for a Finnish goshawk from Taylor. Both Taylor and Kitzman filled out false reports with the Michigan DNR and Wisconsin DNR to cover up their actions.  Kitzman told his associates to “keep it hush-hush and not tell anybody” that he was giving the female northern goshawk to Taylor.  Kitzman also told Taylor to use a cover story if ever asked by authorities about how the northern goshawk was taken and transferred.

As part of the plea agreement, Kitzman has agreed to pay a fine of $15,000 to the Lacey Act Reward Fund and forfeit the Toyota Tacoma pickup truck he used to transport the northern goshawk taken from the wild on May 26, 2017.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen L Crocker scheduled Kitzman’s sentencing for March 2, 2020, at 11:00 a.m.  Taylor pleaded guilty to the same conspiracy charge on December 11, 2019.  Taylor’s sentencing is scheduled for February 25, 2020, at 3:00 p.m.

The charges against Kitzman and Taylor were the result of an investigation conducted by law enforcement agents with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Bureau of Law enforcement, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.  The prosecution of this case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Graber.

MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Jeff Althoff, 32, Greensboro, North Carolina, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Madison to violating the Lacey Act by falsely labeling wildlife and transporting it across state lines.  This charge carries maximum penalties of one year in prison and a $100,000 fine.

During the plea hearing, Althoff admitted that on September 18, 2018, he falsely registered with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) that he had killed an adult antlered buck deer on September 17, 2018 in Buffalo County by archery on public land.  In fact, Althoff actually killed the adult antlered buck deer on private land at a game farm in Taylor County using a paid guide.  As a result of the false registration with the WDNR, the buck was deemed falsely labeled. 

Althoff then transported the animal to Pierce County and staged pictures with the animal to make it appear as if he had killed the animal on public land in Buffalo County.  Althoff posted pictures of the 172 inch antlered buck on his Facebook page falsely alleging that he stalked the animal for hours, shot it at 32 yards, and that it took him 4 hours of solo dragging to get it back to his truck.  As part of the offense, Althoff also transported the falsely labeled buck from Wisconsin to Minnesota.

As part of the plea agreement, Althoff has agreed to: (1) pay a fine of $23,000 to the Lacey Act Reward Fund; (2) obey a 2-year ban on all hunting activities; and (3) forfeit the items he used in the hunt, including all of the archery equipment and arrows, the range finder, and the cape and antlers.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen L Crocker scheduled Althoff’s sentencing for March 20, 2020, at 1:30 p.m.

The charges against Althoff are the result of an investigation conducted by law enforcement agents with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Bureau of Law enforcement, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.  The prosecution of this case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Graber.

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Andrew Henke, 36, La Crosse, Wisconsin, was sentenced on December 17, 2019, by U.S. District Judge James Peterson to 10 years in prison for possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.   Henke pleaded guilty this charge on October 1, 2019.

On March 26, 2019, La Crosse police executed a search warrant on Henke’s residence and arrested him on drug charges.  In Henke’s bedroom investigators found 915 grams of methamphetamine and $14,644 of cash.

Judge Peterson said that Henke was taking a calculated risk because he was aware of the federal penalties for possessing this much methamphetamine.  Judge Peterson also ordered the $14,644 to be forfeited.

The charge against Henke was the result of an investigation conducted by the La Crosse Police Department and Drug Enforcement Administration.  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 Jeremy Strobel, 42, Ashland, Wisconsin, was sentenced on December 20, 2019, by U.S. District Judge James Peterson to one year in prison for possessing a firearm as a felon.   Strobel pleaded guilty this charge on September 9, 2019.

On April 20, 2019, Ashland police found Strobel passed out in the driver’s seat of a car with a .38 caliber snub nose revolver next to him.  In the vehicle, officers located empty baggies, empty vials, and $700 in cash.  Officers also saw a bag of methamphetamine on his thigh which Strobel then appeared to swallow.  Messages were found on Strobel’s phone that suggested he was dealing drugs.

Strobel has a lengthy criminal history starting in 1995 when he was 18 years old, has been on supervision more than 20 times, and has been revoked on many occasions due to rule violations and criminal offenses.  Approximately three months before being caught with the gun in this case, he was revoked and sentenced to one year in prison but with extensive sentence credit was release soon thereafter.

At sentencing, Judge Peterson said that Henke had one of the longest criminal histories that he has seen and that protecting the public was his primary goal.  Strobel is currently serving a six-year state prison sentence.  Judge Peterson found that because Strobel was a danger to the community, additional punishment was warranted.  Judge Peterson ordered the one-year federal sentence to run consecutive to the state prison term.

The charge against Strobel was the result of an investigation conducted by the Ashland Police Department and the 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 involves collaboration by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and communities to prevent and deter gun violence.

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Jeffrey Parker, 40, Madison, Wisconsin, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge James Peterson to 11 years in prison for bank robbery.   Parker pleaded guilty this charge on October 3, 2019.

On August 13, 2019, Parker robbed the Summit Credit Union, in Portage, Wisconsin, while brandishing a gun.  During this robbery Parker zip-tied the employees’ hands together to restrain them.  Parker then fled in a vehicle which was pursued down Highway 90 by two Wisconsin State Patrol troopers and a Columbia County sheriff’s deputy.  Speeds during this chase were in excess of 100 miles per hour.

At Highway 151, Parker veered across several lanes of traffic toward Madison.  Parker then sped down East Washington Avenue, going through several red lights, eventually crashing into a FedEx truck, knocking it onto its side.  Parker was then taken into custody.

In sentencing Parker, Judge Peterson noted that for a lot of his life Parker had lived like a habitual criminal.  Parker had a lengthy criminal history and in 2006 was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison on a drug charge.  Because Parker then went on to commit this bank robbery, Judge Peterson said he was a ticking time bomb.  Judge Peterson stated that Parker terrorized the victims and endangered many more people during the high speed chase.  Judge Peterson said that the main goal of sentencing was to protect the community.

The charge against Parker was the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Portage Police Department, with the assistance of the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, Wisconsin State Patrol, and Madison and Maple Bluff Police Departments.  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 involves collaboration by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and communities to prevent and deter gun violence.

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that James E. Taylor, 37, Madison, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 150 months in prison for discharging a firearm during a drug deal.   Taylor pleaded guilty to this charge on August 19, 2019.

In April 2016, Taylor arranged to purchase marijuana from a Town of Madison man.  During the transaction, Taylor and the man got into a physical fight and Taylor pulled a gun from his pocket and pointed it at the man.  The two continued to struggle and Taylor shot the man in the head, then stole the man’s marijuana.  The man survived the shooting, but had to undergo surgery and has a lasting injury.  Taylor fled the state and was later arrested on an unrelated warrant in Rockford, Illinois.

In sentencing Taylor, Judge Conley considered Taylor’s lengthy criminal history and the fact that Taylor kept going back to crime even though many people tried to help him.  Judge Conley told Taylor that he was out of time to change, and that the next time he commits a crime, he will likely go to prison for the rest of his life.  Judge Conley also noted that bringing a gun to a drug deal is tempting fate, and but for a chance intervention and life-saving surgery, the man that Taylor shot likely would have died.

The charge against Taylor was the result of an investigation conducted by the Town of Madison Police Department, with the assistance of the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, Dane County Sheriff’s Office, and UW-Madison Police Department.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by U.S. Attorney Scott C. Blader and Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Przybylinski Finn. 

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 involves collaboration by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and communities to prevent and deter gun violence.

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that James A. Conner III, 44, La Crosse, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 48 months in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine.   Conner pleaded guilty to this charge on October 7, 2019.

Between November 2018 and January 2019, investigators from the La Crosse Police Department purchased approximately 52 grams of methamphetamine from Conner.  During one of the controlled buys, Conner admitted to selling a half pound of methamphetamine every two to three days. 

At sentencing, Judge Conley noted that the amount of methamphetamine purchased by investigators underestimates the scale of Conner’s dealings.  Judge Conley also stated that, despite knowing the dangers of methamphetamine, Conner repeatedly provided people with a dangerous drug. 

The charge against Conner was the result of an investigation conducted by the La Crosse Police Department, Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, and Drug Enforcement Administration.  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 Tarver, 55, Spring Grove, Minnesota, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge James Peterson to three years in prison for wire fraud.  The wire fraud charge stems from Tarver’s embezzlement from Rapid Die and Molding Company (“RDM”) in Cassville, Wisconsin, and its sister company Hawley Products in Paducah, Kentucky.  Tarver pleaded guilty to this charge on August 20, 2019.

Tarver worked for RDM and was eventually promoted to Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for RDM and Hawley Products (“the companies”).  As CFO, Tarver was responsible for handling all financial matters for the companies, including, but not limited to, disbursing payments, depositing and transferring funds, and balancing bank accounts.  In this role, Tarver had access to and utilized a variety of financial accounts belonging to the companies, including bank accounts, commercial credit accounts, and PayPal.

The investigation revealed that from 2006 until January of 2018, Tarver devised and participated in a scheme to embezzle money from the companies.  Tarver embezzled money from the companies in a variety of ways, including:  1) using the companies’ credit cards to make personal purchases; 2) using the companies’ checks for personal purchases; 3) issuing the companies’ checks to himself; 4) transferring the companies’ funds to his personal bank accounts using PayPal; 5) direct transfers from the companies’ bank accounts to his personal bank accounts.  For example, on November 30, 2015, Tarver transferred $9,200 from RDM’s PayPal account to his personal PayPal account.  Tarver subsequently transferred the $9,200 to his personal account at Navy Federal Credit Union.

The investigation further revealed that Tarver used the embezzled funds for a variety of personal expenditures, including, but not limited to, home improvements, recreational vehicles, travel, and dining.  Tarver also provided the embezzled funds directly to other people as gifts or loans.  In total, Tarver embezzled over $1,023,649.44 from the companies. 

The charge against Tarver is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Cassville Police Department.  The prosecution of the case has been being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Wegner.

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Eric Kurrelmeyer, 32, Maiden Rock, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 12 years in federal prison, to be followed by a lifetime of supervised release, for distributing child pornography.   Kurrelmeyer pleaded guilty to this charge on October 3, 2019. 

On December 28, 2018, an individual using the mobile messaging application Kik sent several pictures of child pornography to an undercover task force officer (TFO) from the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force in Washington, D.C.  Officers identified Kurrelmeyer as the Kik user and executed a search warrant at his residence.  As a result of the search, officers found evidence that Kurrelmeyer distributed the sexually-explicit images to the undercover TFO.

At sentencing, Judge Conley expressed concern about the defendant’s risk to the community, noting that Kurrelmeyer was both “boastful and transparent” about his sexual interest in children while chatting with the undercover TFO. 

The charge against Kurrelmeyer was the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Child Exploitation Task Force, the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, and the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigations.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chadwick M. Elgersma.

This investigation was a part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the U.S. Department of Justice.  Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

MADISON, WIS. - The U.S. Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs today announced awards of more than $333 million to help communities affected by the opioid crisis.  In the Western District of Wisconsin, $8,498,212 will help public safety and public health professionals combat substance abuse and respond effectively to overdoses.

“The opioid epidemic is the deadliest drug crisis this country has ever faced,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. ‘“The Department of Justice is committed to using all means available to bring drug traffickers to justice, disrupt the supply chain, support our law enforcement officers, and help the victims.”

“The opioid crisis has destroyed far too many lives and left too many Americans feeling helpless and hopeless,” said OJP Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan.  “This epidemic—the most deadly in our nation’s history—is introducing new dangers and loading public health responsibilities onto the public safety duties of our law enforcement officers.  The Department of Justice is here to support them during this unprecedented and extremely challenging time.”

With more than 130 people dying from opioid-related overdoses every day, the Department of Justice has made fighting addiction to opioids—including heroin and fentanyl—a national priority.  The Trump Administration is providing critical funding for a wide range of activities—from preventive services and comprehensive treatment to recovery assistance, forensic science services and research—to help save lives and break the cycle of addiction and crime.

“In Wisconsin, thousands are struggling with addiction, hundreds have died from overdoses, and too many families have been devastated by opioids,” said U.S. Attorney Blader.  “These grant funds will allow our communities to continue to combat this epidemic through education, community outreach, and treatment.”

The awards announced today support an array of activities designed to reduce the harm inflicted by these dangerous drugs.  Grants will help law enforcement officers, emergency responders and treatment professionals coordinate their response to overdoses.  Funds will also provide services for children and youth affected by the crisis and will support the nationwide network of drug and treatment courts.  Other awards will address prescription drug abuse, expand the capacity of forensic labs and support opioid-related research.

The following awards were made to organizations in the Western District of Wisconsin:

Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Site-Based Program – Category 1

Category 1 grants are designed to encourage and support the development of comprehensive, locally driven responses to the opioid epidemic that expand access to supervision, treatment and recovery support services across the criminal justice system; support law enforcement and other first responder diversion programs for non-violent drug offenders; promote education and prevention activities; and address the needs of children impacted by the opioid epidemic. All projects are expected to involve multiple agencies and partners.

City of Madison                                                                               $1,200,000

Bad River Band of Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians             $551,170

Juneau County                                                                                 $600,000

Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Site-Based Program – Category 2

Category 2 is designed to support states in their efforts to implement, enhance or evaluate effective opioid-related efforts within the criminal justice system.

Wisconsin Department of Justice                                                 $5,000,000

Adult Drug Courts and Veterans Treatment Courts Program - Category 1

Category 1 grants are for the implementation of new drug courts.

Juneau County                                                                                $500,000

Family Drug Court Program

This program is designed to build the capacity of state and local courts to sustain existing family drug courts or establish new ones. These courts serve parents who require treatment for a substance abuse disorder and who are involved with the child welfare system as a result of child abuse, neglect or other parenting issues.

Barron County                                                                                $646,951

The Office of Justice Programs, directed by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan, provides federal leadership, grants, training and technical assistance, and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, assist victims and enhance the rule of law by strengthening the criminal and juvenile justice systems. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.  

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Jamie Smith, 42, Baldwin, Wisconsin, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge William Conley to 54 months in federal prison for mail fraud.  Smith pleaded guilty to this charge on September 17, 2019.

Smith owned and operated two precious metals brokerages houses in Hudson, Wisconsin from 2014 to 2017, called American Platinum Gold & Silver, Inc., and American Independent Gold & Silver, Inc.  These entities were engaged in the business of evaluating, buying, selling and trading coins and precious metals.  Through his work at these brokerage houses, Smith contacted individuals concerning their coins and precious metals, and offered to appraise the coins, buy them, trade them, or sell them for the client.

Smith defrauded his clients by misappropriating their money and property.  He did this by not honoring his coin transaction agreements with his clients, and failing to tell them he was using their money and property for his own uses and personal expenses. 

As part of the fraud scheme, Smith liquidated his clients’ coins and used the funds for purposes other than what he promised. When clients demanded their money or return of their coins, Smith lied and told them that their coins and/or money were in the mail, when in fact, they were not.  Smith also took in money from other clients for the purchase of coins, but never shipped the coins.  Finally, Smith took in coins from additional clients for purposes of providing an appraisal of the coins, but never returned the coins to them, or paid them for the coins.

When clients began complaining and threatening to sue Smith, he falsely told his clients that he needed two years to pay everybody what he owed them because he suffered a financial loss due to, among other things, an “employee embezzlement of company funds.”  In exchange for the time extension, Smith promised he would pay interest, penalties, and any taxes caused by the extension.

FBI agents traced the client funds that went into Smith’s main business bank accounts, which showed that Smith used client monies to pay for charges at fast food restaurants, grocery stores, liquor stores, bars, hotels, ATM cash withdrawals, and his home monthly mortgage and utilities.  FBI agents identified 46 victims in this case, and the loss amount was $1,240,299.  Many of Smith’s victims were elderly and the stolen coins represented their retirement nest eggs.

Smith previously ran his brokerage houses in Minnesota from 2010 to 2012 with Robert Gundy and Jay Flynn.  Gundy and Flynn pleaded guilty to mail fraud in 2014 in Minnesota.  Both were sentenced in 2015, with Flynn receiving a prison sentence of 52 months and Gundy receiving a 41-month prison sentence.  While Smith was not charged in the Minnesota mail fraud case, he did enter into a civil settlement agreement with the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office and agreed that he and his company would be permanently enjoined in Minnesota from engaging in misleading and deceptive business practices pertaining to the purchase, sale, or appraisal of coins and precious metals for clients.

The charges against Smith were the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office, River Falls Police Department, and the Minnesota Department of Commerce.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Graber. 

MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Edward Taylor, 64, Fruitport, Michigan, pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court in Madison to conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act.  This charge carries maximum penalties of one year in prison and a $100,000 fine.

The information filed against Taylor alleges that in late 2016 through August 2017, Taylor and a Wisconsin falconer arranged to barter a northern goshawk taken from the wild in Vilas County, Wisconsin, in exchange for a captive-bred Finnish goshawk, and then cover up the receipt and transport of the northern goshawk from Wisconsin to Michigan in violation of the Migratory Bird Act and the Lacey Act.       

According to the information, on May 26, 2018, Taylor’s conspirator took from the wild a female northern goshawk from a nest located on state land in Vilas County.  The co-conspirator traded the northern goshawk for a Finnish goshawk from Taylor.  The information alleged that both Taylor and his coconspirator filled out false reports with the Michigan and Wisconsin Departments of Natural Resources to cover up their actions.  The information also alleged that the conspirator told his associates to “keep it hush-hush and not tell anybody” that the conspirator was giving the female goshawk nestling to Taylor.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen L. Crocker scheduled Taylor’s sentencing for February 25, 2020, at 3:00 p.m.

The charges against Taylor were the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Bureau of Law Enforcement, and Michigan Department of Natural Resources.  The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Graber.

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.

Brodhead Man Charged with Drug Crimes Involving Methamphetamine

Darrin Demrow, 43, Brodhead, Wisconsin, is charged with attempting to possess methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and with possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.  The indictment alleges that he attempted to possess methamphetamine on August 8, 2019, and that he possessed 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on November 21, 2019.

If convicted, Demrow faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on the charge of attempting to possess methamphetamine, and a mandatory minimum of five years and a maximum of 40 years on the charge of possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.  The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Green County Sheriff’s Office, and Rock County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Wegner is handling the prosecution. 

Madison Man Charged with Illegally Possessing Firearm & Ammunition

Collin C. Tubbs, 30, Madison, Wisconsin, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.  The indictment alleges that he possessed a loaded .45 caliber handgun and ammunition on November 28, 2019. 

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

The indictment charging Tubbs 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. 

Woman Charged with Escape

Roxie Boling, 37, Kansas City, Missouri, is charged with escape.  The indictment alleges that on December 2, 2019, she escaped from the Rock Valley Community Programs Center in Janesville, Wisconsin, where she was in custody by virtue of a conviction for a felony offense.

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

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Becky L. Peterson, 64, Tomahawk, Wisconsin was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 66 months in federal prison for conspiring with Mark W. Moore to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine in Ashland County, Wisconsin over the past several years.  Becky Peterson pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge on June 11, 2019.  Moore pleaded guilty to the same charge on November 28, 2018 and was sentenced to 66 months in federal prison on March 13, 2019.

Peterson and Moore engaged in a years-long conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine from a farm near Butternut, Wisconsin in the Town of Peeksville.  Drug investigators with the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation developed information that Peterson and Moore were selling methamphetamine from a location known as the “Meth Farm.”  Beginning in August 2017, an undercover investigator made contact with Moore and began making purchases of methamphetamine from him on the 80-acre farm.  During the investigation police confirmed that Moore was working with Peterson to distribute methamphetamine.

Between August 2017 and June 2018, the undercover officer conducted seven controlled buys of methamphetamine from Moore and one from Peterson, each of these occurred at the farm, either in the residence or in a workshop nearby.  The sales to the undercover officer alone totaled more than 60 grams. During the course of these buys, Moore stated that Peterson set the prices and weighed and packaged the methamphetamine for sale.  Moore also stated on several occasions that he needed to confirm with Peterson whether he could give a discount for large quantity sales. 

On June 26, 2018, police executed a search warrant at the farm.  During the search, they recovered approximately 30 grams of methamphetamine and $11,412 in US currency.  Another $2,000 was later recovered from a separate location.  Peterson and Moore each admitted to their involvement in a multi-year ongoing business of distributing methamphetamine. 

In sentencing Peterson, Judge Peterson stated that this was long-term dealing in methamphetamine, which is an epidemic in that part of the state.  Judge Peterson told Peterson that while her age and health were mitigating considerations, they were not a free pass to commit crime, and he wasn’t fully confident that she might not reoffend given that she had a past drug trafficking conviction.

In addition to the prison sentences received by Peterson and Moore, the court ordered the forfeiture of the farm property used in distributing the methamphetamine, as well as the $13,412 in cash recovered.

The charges against Peterson and Moore were the result of an investigation conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, Ashland County Sheriff’s Department, and Drug Enforcement Administration.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Anderson. 

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.

Three Madison Residents Charged in Separate Indictments With Related Gun Crimes; Fourth Individual Pleads Guilty

In separate, but related indictments, three individuals have been charged with crimes including being a felon in possession of a firearm and false statements to a federally licensed firearms dealer. 

Lidia Guadalupe Molina, 21, Madison, Wisconsin, is charged with three counts of making false statements to federally licensed firearms dealers when purchasing firearms.  The indictment alleges that she certified that she was the actual buyer of the firearms when she was not.  The indictment charges that she made such false statements when purchasing or attempting to purchase a 9mm pistol on July 12, 2019, a .380 caliber pistol on August 9, 2019, and a 9mm pistol on November 12, 2019.

Molina was previously charged with these offenses in a complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Madison on November 21.  She was arrested on November 24, appeared in federal court on November 25, and was released following a hearing on November 26 with the condition that she not associate with the other defendants.  Her arraignment hearing is scheduled for tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.

The complaint and affidavit alleged that Molina purchased a 9mm pistol on July 12, 2019, and on the form required by federal law, she indicated the she was the actual buyer of the firearm.  The affidavit alleged that this pistol was found on August 10 in a car driven by Jamohn Barney.  Barney, 34, also of Madison, is charged in an indictment returned today with being a felon in possession of a loaded firearm. 

The complaint and affidavit charging Molina also alleged that she purchased a .380 caliber pistol on August 9, and on the form required by federal law, she indicated the she was the actual buyer of the firearm.  The affidavit alleged that this pistol was found in a car belonging to Sean Okray on August 23, 2019.  Okray, 48, also of Madison, pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court in Madison to being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Okray was convicted of second degree intentional homicide while armed in Milwaukee County in 1993.  His sentencing is scheduled for February 13, 2020.  He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. 

Francisco Anglin, 22, also of Madison, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and with aiding and abetting an individual to make an illegal purchase of a firearm.  The indictment charging him alleges that he possessed a rifle on November 12, 2019, and that on that same day, he aided and abetted Lidia Molina to make a false statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer in order to purchase a firearm. The indictment alleges that he aided and abetted Molina to certify that she was the actual buyer of a 9mm pistol when she knew she was not.  According to the affidavit filed with the complaint charging Molina, the firearms dealer believed that Molina was engaged in purchasing the firearm for someone other than herself, commonly referred to as a “straw purchase,” and refused to transfer the firearm to her.

If convicted, these individuals face the following penalties:

1. Molina – a maximum penalty of five years on each of the three charges;
2. Anglin - a maximum penalty of 10 years on the felon in possession charge and five years on the aiding and abetting charge; and
3. Barney – a maximum penalty of 10 years.

The charges against Molina, Anglin, and Barney are the result of investigations by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Sun Prairie Police Department, and the Monona Police Department.  The charge against Okray was the result of an investigation by the Madison Police Department, Dane County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Marshals Service, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow is handling the prosecution of Molina, Barney, and Okray, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey C. Stephan is handling the prosecution of Anglin. 

Onalaska Man Charged with Being a Felon In Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition

Curtis Green, 39, Onalaska, Wisconsin, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.  The indictment alleges that on October 30, 2019, he possessed a .40 caliber pistol and ammunition.

If convicted, Green faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.  The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the West Salem Police Department, La Crosse County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor L. Kraus is handling the prosecution. 

These indictments returned today 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. 

MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Daniel Norris, 32, Madison, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 67 months in federal prison for possessing crack cocaine with the intent to distribute.  Norris pleaded guilty to this charge on September 4, 2019. 

On January 7, 2019, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Norris’ residence in Madison.  During the search, officers recovered 54 grams of crack cocaine, 82 grams of powder cocaine, a stolen Glock pistol, and $6,906 in cash.  Norris was on supervision at the time of the search for a felony conviction for 3rd degree sexual assault in Dane County. 

At the sentencing hearing, Judge Peterson was troubled by Norris’ lengthy criminal history and the fact that he was involved with dealing drugs while on supervision.  Judge Peterson also noted that Norris’ possession of a stolen firearm was particularly alarming. 

The charge against Norris was a result of an investigation conducted by the Dane County Narcotics Task Force, Madison Police Department, Grant County Sheriff’s Office, and Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation.  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 Bobby Ostrum, 37, Tomah, Wisconsin, was sentenced Friday, November 22, by U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to eight years in prison for possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute.  Ostrum pleaded guilty to this charge on August 22, 2019.

On November 16, 2018, law enforcement officers conducted a traffic stop of Ostrum’s vehicle and recovered approximately 120 grams of methamphetamine.  During the course of the investigation, officers determined that Ostrum was selling methamphetamine to lower level dealers for further distribution. At that time of his arrest, Ostrum was on supervision in both La Crosse and Monroe Counties for criminal conduct.

During sentencing, Judge Peterson described Ostrum as being part of a large system that exploits addiction in the community and pointed out that Ostrum has a history of committing crimes while on supervision. His lengthy criminal record includes convictions for substantial battery, possessing a firearm as a felon, possessing controlled substances, armed robbery, and delivering methamphetamine.

The charge against Ostrum was the result of an investigation conducted by the Sparta Police Department, Tomah Police Department, and the Monroe County Joint Investigative Task Force.  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 Malcolm M. Whiteside, 27, Madison, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 21 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Whiteside pleaded guilty to this charge on September 9, 2019.

On July 9, 2019, while investigating a domestic violence complaint, police officers arrested Whiteside outside of an apartment complex on the west side of Madison.  During the arrest, Whiteside admitted he had a gun hidden inside the front of his pants.  Officers found a stolen handgun inside of Whiteside’s sweatshirt pocket.  Whiteside, a convicted felon, was prohibited from possessing firearms. 

At sentencing, Judge Peterson expressed concern that Whiteside’s criminal history shows he has the potential of being a danger to the community.   Judge Peterson specifically noted that other courts had given Whiteside “breaks,” but his criminal activity was “starting to escalate.”         

The charge against Whiteside was the result of an investigation conducted by the Madison Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chadwick M. Elgersma. 

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. -- 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.

Beloit Man Charged with Armed Robberies of Businesses

Nicholas K. Murn, 26, Beloit, Wisconsin, is charged with five counts of armed robbery of businesses that were engaged in interstate commerce.  The businesses were located in Rock County, Wisconsin.  The indictment alleges that he robbed the following businesses:

1. Tex’s Grocery on Saint Lawrence Avenue in Beloit on October 17, 2019;
2. Casey’s General Store on South John Paul Road in Milton, Wisconsin, on October 23, 2019;
3. Stop N’ Go on East Milwaukee Street in Janesville, Wisconsin, on October 24, 2019;
4. Mulligans BP Convenience on Milton Avenue in Janesville on October 26, 2019; and;
5. Rollette Oil Gas Station on Madison Road in Beloit on October 30, 2019.

The indictment further alleges that Murn brandished a firearm during each of these robberies. 

If convicted, Murn faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each robbery count.  Each charge of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence has a mandatory minimum penalty of seven years in prison, to be served consecutive to any sentence imposed for the robbery.  The charges against Murn are the result of an investigation by the Beloit, Janesville, and Milton Police Departments, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow is handling the prosecution.

Madison Man Charged with Armed Bank Robbery

Stanley Griffin, 26, Madison, Wisconsin, is charged with the armed robbery of US Bank on Cottage Grove Road in Madison on July 9, 2019.  The indictment also charges him with brandishing a firearm during the robbery.

If convicted, Griffin faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in federal prison on the armed bank robbery charge, and a mandatory minimum penalty of seven years in federal prison on the charge of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.  Federal law requires that the sentence for brandishing a firearm be served consecutive to any sentence imposed on the bank robbery charge. 

The charges against Griffin are the result of an investigation by the Madison Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow is handling the prosecution.

Two Charged with Madison Robberies

Ramon Howard, 36, and Antonio Rowe, 30, both of Madison, Wisconsin, are charged with robbing financial institutions in Madison.  The indictment alleges that:

1. Rowe robbed the BMO Harris Bank on Sherman Avenue on September 10, 2019;
2. Howard and Rowe robbed the Associated Bank on East Towne Boulevard on September 13, 2019;
3. Howard robbed the Summit Credit Union on Thierer Road on September 16, 2019; and
4. Howard and Rowe robbed the UW Credit Union on Northport Drive on September 26, 2019.

If convicted, Howard and Rowe face a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison for each robbery they are alleged to have committed.  The charges against them are the result of an investigation by the Madison Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey C. Stephan is handling the prosecution.

The indictments against Murn, Griffin, Howard, and Rowe 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. 

Onalaska Man Charged with Drug Crime

Eric Sobek, 47, Onalaska, 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 September 17, 2019.

If convicted, Sobek 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 La Crosse and Onalaska Police Departments.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Chadwick M. Elgersma is handling the prosecution.

Madison Man Charged with Distributing Heroin

James Britton, 31, Madison, Wisconsin, is charged with three counts of distributing heroin and one count of possessing heroin with the intent to distribute.  The indictment alleges that he distributed heroin on October 30, November 4, and November 6, 2019, and that he possessed heroin with the intent to distribute on November 14, 2019.

If convicted, Britton 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 Drug Enforcement Administration.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor L. Kraus is handling the prosecution.

Madison Man Charged with Distributing Cocaine

Matthew Guirlando, 34, Madison, Wisconsin, is charged with four counts of distributing cocaine and one count of possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute.  The indictment alleges that he distributed cocaine on May 2, July 9, July 25, and September 19, 2019, and that he possessed cocaine with the intent to distribute on October 7, 2019.

If convicted, Guirlando 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 Drug Enforcement Administration.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron D. Wegner is handling the prosecution. 

MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Corey Scheerenberger, 36, Plover, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to seven years in federal prison for possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute.  He pleaded guilty to this offense on August 15, 2019.

On September 27, 2018, law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at Scheerenberger’s residence.  Throughout the property, agents found approximately 240 grams of methamphetamine, five firearms, a large quantity of cash, drug packaging materials and paraphernalia, and other illegal drugs.  Further investigation revealed that Scheerenberger’s methamphetamine distribution involved at least 680 grams of methamphetamine.  Scheerenberger admitted to selling methamphetamine in the Plover community for the past few years. 

At the time of his arrest, Scheerenberger was on probation out of California for possessing a controlled substance and also in Wisconsin for disorderly conduct. His criminal history dates back to 2001 with several drug-related convictions.

During sentencing, Judge Peterson noted that Scheerenberger was dealing methamphetamine in quantities indicative of a “drug lifestyle” while serving a probationary sentence. 

 The charge against Scheerenberger was the result of an investigation conducted by the Central Wisconsin Drug Task Force, the Portage County Sheriff’s Office, and the Plover and Stevens Point Police Departments.  The prosecution of the case was handled by United States Attorney Scott C. Blader and Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Schlipper. 

MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Larry Dollar, 48, Duluth, Georgia, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to two years in federal prison for escaping from custody.  Dollar pleaded guilty to this offense on August 22, 2019.

In October 2017, Dollar was sentenced to five years in federal prison for bank robbery in the Northern District of Illinois.  On January 22, 2019, Dollar was furloughed to Rock Valley Community Programs (RVCP) in Janesville, Wisconsin.  Dollar was provided transportation from Florida, where he was incarcerated, to Janesville.  A warrant was issued after Dollar failed to arrive at RVCP.  Dollar was arrested on February 8, 2019, by Georgia State University police officers, and was subsequently charged with escape from federal custody.         

In sentencing Dollar, Judge Conley noted that Dollar’s untreated schizophrenia, coupled with his addiction to alcohol, made him an ongoing danger to the community.  In addition, Dollar’s extensive criminal history, including convictions for cruelty to children, battery, and aggravated assault made him a danger to children in particular. 

Dollar’s conviction is the result of an investigation by the United States Marshals Service.  The prosecution of this case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Pfluger.

MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Fred McGee, 46, Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced on November 8, 2019 by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 84 months in federal prison for possessing 100 grams or more of heroin with intent to distribute.   McGee pleaded guilty to this charge on August 19, 2019.

On January 31, 2018, law enforcement officers recovered approximately 104 grams of fentanyl-laced heroin during a traffic stop of a vehicle in Dunn County, Wisconsin.  The vehicle was occupied by McGee, Terry Glaspie, and another individual.  During the course of their investigation, law enforcement determined that McGee transported the heroin from Chicago so he could sell it in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

Judge Conley previously sentenced Glaspie to 66 months in prison for his role in this offense.

The charge against McGee was the result of an investigation conducted by the Dunn County Sheriff’s Office, Menomonie Police Department, Wisconsin State Patrol, Dunn County District Attorney’s Office, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chadwick M. Elgersma. 

MADISON, WIS. - Attorney General William P. Barr announced today the launch of Project Guardian, a new initiative designed to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws across the country. Specifically, Project Guardian focuses on investigating, prosecuting, and preventing gun crimes.

Reducing gun violence and enforcing federal firearms laws have always been among the Department’s highest priorities. In order to develop a new and robust effort to promote and ensure public safety, the Department reviewed and adapted some of the successes of past strategies to curb gun violence. Project Guardian draws on the Department’s earlier achievements, such as the “Triggerlock” program, and it serves as a complementary effort to the success of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). In addition, the initiative emphasizes the importance of using all modern technologies available to law enforcement to promote gun crime intelligence.

“Gun crime remains a pervasive problem in too many communities across America. Today, the Department of Justice is redoubling its commitment to tackling this issue through the launch of Project Guardian,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “Building on the success of past programs like Triggerlock, Project Guardian will strengthen our efforts to reduce gun violence by allowing the federal government and our state and local partners to better target offenders who use guns in crimes and those who try to buy guns illegally.”

“The most effective way to reduce gun violence is to enforce existing firearm laws,” said Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin.  “We will continue our close collaboration with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and prosecutors to focus our efforts on the individuals who represent the greatest threat of violence to our communities.”

“ATF has a long history of strong partnerships in the law enforcement community,” said Acting Director Regina Lombardo. “Make no mistake, the women and men of ATF remain steadfast to our core mission of getting crime guns off of our streets. ATF and U.S. Attorneys nationwide will leverage these partnerships even further through enhanced community outreach initiatives and coordination with local, state, and tribal law enforcement and prosecutors to cut the pipeline of crime guns from those violent individuals who seek to terrorize our communities. Project Guardian will enhance ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence, to include identifying, investigating and prosecuting those involved in the straw purchases of firearms, lying on federal firearms transaction forms, and those subject to the mental health prohibition of possessing firearms.” 

Project Guardian’s implementation is based on five principles:

1. Coordinated Prosecution. Federal prosecutors and law enforcement will coordinate with state, local, and tribal law enforcement and prosecutors to consider potential federal prosecution for new cases involving a defendant who: a) was arrested in possession of a firearm; b) is believed to have used a firearm in committing a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime prosecutable in federal court; or c) is suspected of actively committing violent crime(s) in the community on behalf of a criminal organization.

1. Enforcing the Background Check System. United States Attorneys, in consultation with the Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in their district, will create new, or review existing, guidelines for intake and prosecution of federal cases involving false statements (including lie-and-try, lie-and-buy, and straw purchasers) made during the acquisition or attempted acquisition of firearms from Federal Firearms Licensees. Particular emphasis is placed on individuals convicted of violent felonies or misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence, individuals subject to protective orders, and individuals who are fugitives where the underlying offense is a felony or misdemeanor crime of domestic violence; individuals suspected of involvement in criminal organizations or of providing firearms to criminal organizations; and individuals involved in repeat denials.

1. Improved Information Sharing. On a regular basis, and as often as practicable given current technical limitations, ATF will provide to state law enforcement fusion centers a report listing individuals for whom the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) has issued denials, including the basis for the denial, so that state and local law enforcement can take appropriate steps under their laws.

1. Coordinated Response to Mental Health Denials. Each United States Attorney will ensure that whenever there is federal case information regarding individuals who are prohibited from possessing a firearm under the mental health prohibition, such information continues to be entered timely and accurately into the United States Attorneys’ Offices’ case-management system for prompt submission to NICS. ATF should engage in additional outreach to state and local law enforcement on how to use this denial information to better assure public safety.  Additionally, United States Attorneys will consult with relevant district stakeholders to assess feasibility of adopting disruption of early engagement programs to address mental-health-prohibited individuals who attempt to acquire a firearm. United States Attorneys should consider, when appropriate, recommending court-ordered mental health treatment for any sentences issued to individuals prohibited based on mental health.

1. Crime Gun Intelligence Coordination. Federal, state, local, and tribal prosecutors and law enforcement will work together to ensure effective use of the ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence Centers (CGICs), and all related resources, to maximize the use of modern intelligence tools and technology. These tools can greatly enhance the speed and effectiveness in identifying trigger-pullers and finding their guns, but the success depends in large part on state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners sharing ballistic evidence and firearm recovery data with the ATF.  Federal law enforcement represents only about 15% of all law enforcement resources nationwide. Therefore, partnerships with state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the communities they serve are critical to addressing gun crime. The Department recognizes that sharing information with our state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners at every level will enhance public safety, and provide a greater depth of resources available to address gun crime on a national level.  

For more information on Project Guardian, see the Attorney General’s memorandum at: https://www.justice.gov/ag/project-guardian-memo-2019/download.

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Michael Westfahl, 38, Friendship, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William Conley to 90 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of firearms.   Westfahl pleaded guilty this offense on August 7, 2019.

Westfahl was suspected of stealing firearms during several residential burglaries in Adams and Wood Counties.  On December 21, 2018, law enforcement attempted to arrest him at a motel in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.  Westfahl refused to come out of the room, leading to a 90-minute standoff with SWAT teams.  After Westfahl eventually surrendered, detectives found a loaded AR-15 rifle and two handguns in the room.  Westfahl was a convicted felon on supervision after being released from state prison.

At sentencing, Judge Conley remarked that Westfahl had been under correctional supervision since 2001 and continued to commit crimes.  Judge Conley said that the record gave “little confidence his behavior will change,” noted the severity of the standoff, and concluded that a substantial term of imprisonment was warranted.

The charges against Westfahl were the result of an investigation conducted by the Adams and Wood County Sheriffs’ Offices, Wisconsin Rapids and Stevens Point Police Departments, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The Adams, Wood, and Portage County District Attorneys’ Offices assisted in this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan 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. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Larry Woods, 63, Beloit, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 10 years in federal prison, to be followed by 12 years of supervised release, for transporting a minor from Wisconsin to Illinois for an illegal sexual purpose.  Woods pleaded guilty to this offense on August 7, 2019.

Woods retired from the Beloit Police Department in 2007 after working for the department for 25 years.  After retiring, he worked as a school safety officer with the Beloit Public School system, and as a security monitor for the Beloit Public Library.  Woods was a friend of the family of his minor victim, and had known his 13-year-old victim her entire life.  Woods gained the trust of his victim’s mother by offering to be a mentor.  He groomed his victim for months, and had a sexual relationship with her from late 2017 through his arrest in June 2018.  Woods often transported his victim to Rockford, Illinois, where he rented hotel rooms to engage in sexual activity.  Woods was convicted of repeated sexual assault of his victim in Rock County, Wisconsin, and was sentenced to 12 years in state prison, to be followed by five years extended supervision, on September 27, 2019.        

Judge Peterson ordered the federal sentence to run concurrently with Woods’ state sentence.  Judge Peterson noted that Woods targeted an extremely vulnerable victim, and that his crime was truly outrageous. 

The charge against Woods is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Beloit Police Department.  The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Pfluger.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

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.

Douglas County Man Charged with Robbery & Gun Crimes

Patrick Staton, 29, Maple, Wisconsin, is charged with robbing a Brule, Wisconsin business and with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.  The indictment alleges that he robbed a Cenex gas station, a business in Brule engaged in interstate commerce, on August 30, 2019.  The indictment further alleges that on September 2, 2019, Staton possessed a .45 caliber revolver and ammunition, a rifle, and a 9mm handgun and ammunition.

If convicted, Staton faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on the robbery charge, and a maximum of 10 years on the felon in possession of firearms and ammunition charge.  The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office; Superior Police Department; Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; St. Louis County (Minn.) Sheriff’s Office; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor Kraus is handling the prosecution.

Minnesota Man Charged with Robbery of River Falls Business

Larry Darnell Armstrong, 49, Minneapolis, Minnesota, is charged with robbing North Town Cleaners, a business engaged in interstate commerce in River Falls, Wisconsin, on June 13, 2019.  The indictment alleges that Armstrong’s accomplice brandished a firearm during the robbery. 

If convicted, Armstrong faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.  The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the River Falls Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita Rumbelow is handling the prosecution.

Rock County Man Charged with Illegally Possessing Firearms

Austin L. Hedges, 24, Clinton, Wisconsin, is charged with possessing firearms after previously being committed to a mental institution.  The indictment alleges that on October 9, 2019, he possessed three handguns, three rifles, and a shotgun.

Hedges was charged in a complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Madison on October 9, 2019, with illegally possessing one firearm knowing he had previously been committed to a mental institution.  He was arrested and made an initial appearance in federal court that day.  He was released from custody following a detention hearing on October 11. 

If convicted, Hedges faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.  The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Clinton and St. Francis Police Departments; and Rock County Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman is handling the prosecution.

Madison Man Charged with Drug & Gun Crimes

Donte Moore, 32, Madison, Wisconsin, is charged with distributing heroin and fentanyl, possessing heroin and fentanyl with intent to distribute, possessing crack cocaine with intent to distribute, and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.  The indictment alleges that Moore distributed a mixture containing heroin and fentanyl on four occasions in August and September 2019.  The indictment also alleges that on October 9, 2019, he possessed 40 grams or more of a mixture containing heroin and fentanyl with the intent to distribute, and 28 grams or more of crack cocaine with the intent to distribute.  The indictment also alleges that on October 9, 2019, Moore possessed a .40 caliber handgun and ammunition.

If convicted, Moore faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each of the four distribution charges.  The charge alleging 40 grams or more of a mixture containing heroin and fentanyl, and the charge alleging 28 grams or more of crack cocaine each carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum of 40 years.  The felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years.  The charges against Moore are the result of an investigation by the Dane County Narcotics Task Force.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Corey is handling the prosecution.

These indictments against these individuals 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. 

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Marjean Seehafer, 54, Wausau, Wisconsin, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 18 months in federal prison for making false statements and representations in order to receive Social Security Disability benefits for which she was not eligible.  Seehafer pleaded guilty to this charge on August 14, 2019.

Seehafer received monthly disability benefits from Social Security from 2016 through 2018, based on her false representation that she was unable to work due to her disability. During this same time, Seehafer was actually employed by various Wausau area companies, earning a salary.  When initially confronted by Social Security officials, Seehafer claimed her identity was stolen and someone was working under her name. When investigators for the Social Security Administration contacted employers and obtained photographs of the employee, those photos matched Seehafer.  Once confronted with the photographs, Seehafer admitted that she was working while also collecting disability payments from the government.

At sentencing, Judge Peterson explained that a period of incarceration was warranted based on Seehafer’s long history of similar fraud and theft offenses for which terms of supervision or probation proved unsuccessful at stopping her pattern of conduct. In addition to the 18 months in federal prison, Judge Peterson ordered that Seehafer serve three years on supervised release and pay $28,112.50 in restitution to Social Security. 

The charge against Marjean Seehafer was the result of an investigation conducted by the Office of the Inspector General, Social Security Administration.  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 William Guy, 51, formerly of Madison, Wisconsin, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge William Peterson to one year in prison for fraudulently obtaining a passport.  Guy pleaded guilty to this charge on August 22, 2019.

Guy was arrested in Austria in April 2018 on federal charges of fraudulently obtaining a passport, and on numerous state charges.  At the time of his arrest, he had been a fugitive for more than seven years, and was on the U.S. State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service’s most wanted list.  Guy fought extradition from Austria for almost a year, before being surrendered to the United States.

In declining to give Guy credit for the time he served in Austria, Judge Peterson said he didn’t think it was so closely related to his federal charges that he should receive credit for it.  Judge Peterson also said the reason Guy fled, to avoid prosecution on state criminal charges, was particularly aggravating. 

In addition to the federal charge, Guy still faces charges of possessing child pornography, stalking resulting in bodily harm, false imprisonment, identity theft, victim intimidation, second degree sexual assault, kidnapping, bail jumping, and numerous other charges in Dane County Circuit Court.

The charge against Guy was the result of an investigation conducted by U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service – Chicago Field Office, the U.S. Marshals Service, FBI Legal Attaché – US Embassy Vienna, and the Madison Police Department.  The prosecution of the federal case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman.  The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs of the Department’s Criminal Division provided significant assistance.  The prosecution of the state charges has been handled by Assistant District Attorneys Matthew Moeser and William Brown. 

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Sylvia Erickson, 41, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 7 ½ years in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine in the Eau Claire, Wisconsin area.  On August 16, 2019, Erickson pleaded guilty to distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. 

Erickson was arrested on February 17, 2019, following a series of methamphetamine sales to a confidential informant between November 12, 2018 and January 7, 2019.  She also sold a firearm to an informant on November 30, 2018.  The defendant was on state probation for two previous drug convictions when she committed the offenses here and was prohibited from possessing firearms because of prior felony convictions. 

At the sentencing, Judge Conley noted that although Erickson had a horrific childhood, that fact had to be weighed against her almost two decades of committing crimes and the scope of her most recent drug trafficking activity.  Judge Conley also noted that Erickson had squandered numerous opportunities for treatment and rehabilitation in the past. 

The charges against the defendant were the result of an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the West Central Drug Task Force, and Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation.  The United States also recognizes the assistance of the Eau Claire County District Attorney’s Office.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Meredith Duchemin. 

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Mikael Matthews, 24, Madison, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to two years in federal prison for unlawfully possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Matthews pleaded guilty to this charge on August 12, 2019.  His prison term will be followed by a three-year period of supervised release.

On March 6, 2019, officers with the Madison Police Department arrested Matthews on an outstanding warrant. In his pants pockets, he had $4,200 and 55 tablets of methamphetamine, for a total weight of 18 grams.  A drug dog alerted on Matthews’ car, and officers recovered marijuana, a scale and a loaded, stolen Taurus 9mm gun with one round in the chamber.

Judge Conley denied Matthews’ request for a sentence of one year and one day, because of the presence of the firearm and because of Matthews’ history of assaultive behavior.

The charge against Matthews was the result of an investigation conducted by the Madison 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. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Albert Singer, 24, Madison, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge James Peterson to five years in federal prison for bank robbery. Singer pleaded guilty to this charge on July 25, 2019.

Singer robbed the Chase Bank on East Towne Boulevard in Madison on August 11, 2018.  During the bank robbery, Singer presented the victim bank teller with a note stating that it was a robbery, and threatened them harm if they didn’t give him money.

Noting that bank robberies have a significant effect on victims, Judge Peterson said that even though a weapon was not used, Singer still harmed the victim.  Singer was on state supervision for robbery at the time of this bank robbery, and is facing revocation in that case.

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 involves collaboration by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and communities to prevent and deter violent crime.

The charge against Singer was the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Madison 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 John Stroman, 31, Madison, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 33 months in federal prison for unlawfully possessing a loaded firearm as a convicted felon.  Stroman pleaded guilty to this charge on July 16, 2019.  His prison term will be followed by a three-year period of supervised release.

Stroman, a convicted felon, had an extraditable warrant for his arrest from Maryland.  The U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force learned Stroman was in Wisconsin and they were tracking his phone.  They also identified a car Stroman was driving.  The Marshals contacted the Wisconsin State Patrol, and on April 18, 2019, a trooper saw the car near Mauston.  After following the car for a while, the trooper contacted other units, because it was reported that Stroman would likely be armed and attempt to flee.

When State Patrol troopers attempted to stop Stroman, he led them on a high-speed chase for 28 miles, sometimes traveling at speeds of 119 mph.  While Stroman was able to avoid several deflation devices, he eventually hit one and his car came to a stop.  Stroman was the sole occupant of the vehicle.

A witness told the State Patrol that she saw the driver of the car forcibly throw a black object out of the passenger window.  Troopers went to the location described by the witness, and recovered a Hi Point 9mm pistol with one round in the chamber. 

Stroman has felony convictions for possession with intent to distribute LSD/PCP (Maryland, 2014) and burglary (Ohio, 2008).

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 involves collaboration by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and communities to prevent and deter gun violence.

The charge against Stroman was the result of an investigation conducted by the Wisconsin State Patrol, the U.S. Marshals Fugitive 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. – The U.S. Department of Justice announced today that it has awarded over $273.4 million in grants to improve public safety, serve victims of crime, combat violence against women and support youth programs in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.

“Violent crime and domestic abuse in American Indian and Alaska Native communities remain at unacceptably high levels, and they demand a response that is both clear and comprehensive,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “We will continue to work closely with our tribal partners to guarantee they have the resources they need to curb violence and bring healing to the victims most profoundly affected by it.”  

In the Western District of Wisconsin, five tribal communities were awarded over $5.8 million in funding.  They include:

1. Bad River Band of Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians - $1,717,145
2. Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians - $573,400
3. Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians - $900,000
4. Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa - $1,957,170
5. St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin - $717,261

“These grant funds will improve public safety and provide significant assistance to the victims of violent crimes in these tribal communities in the Western District of Wisconsin,” said U.S. Attorney Blader.  “My office will continue to support our tribal partners as they work to protect their communities.”

Nationwide, 236 grants were awarded to 149 American Indian tribes, Alaska Native villages and other tribal designees through the Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS), a streamlined application for tribal-specific grant programs. Of the $118 million awarded via CTAS, just over $62.6 million comes from the Office of Justice Programs, about $33.1 million from the Office on Violence Against Women and more than $23.2 million from the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. A portion of the funding will support tribal youth mentoring and intervention services, help native communities implement requirements of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, and provide training and technical assistance to tribal communities. Another $5.5 million was funded by OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance to provide training and technical assistance to CTAS awardees.

The Department also announced awards and other programming totaling $167.2 million in a set-aside program to serve victims of crime. The awards are intended to help tribes develop, expand and improve services to victims by supporting programming and technical assistance. About $25.6 million of these awards were awarded under CTAS and are included in the $118 million detailed above.

CTAS funding helps tribes develop and strengthen their justice systems’ response to crime, while expanding services to meet their communities’ public safety needs. The awards cover 10 purpose areas: public safety and community policing; justice systems planning; alcohol and substance abuse; corrections and correctional alternatives; children’s justice act partnerships; services for victims of crime; violence against women; juvenile justice; violent crime reduction; and tribal youth programs.

The Department also provided $6.1 million to help tribes to comply with federal law on sex offender registration and notification, $1.7 million in separate funding to assist tribal youth and nearly $500,000 to support tribal research on missing and murdered indigenous women and children and other public safety-related topics.

Today’s announcement is part of the Justice Department’s ongoing initiative to increase engagement, coordination and action on public safety in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.

A listing of today’s announced CTAS awards is available at: https://www.justice.gov/tribal/awards. A listing of all other announced tribal awards are available at: https://go.usa.gov/xVJuE.