Eastern District of Wisconsin
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
United States Justice Department Secures Agreement with Wisconsin Department of Corrections to Improve Communication Access for Incarcerated People who are Deaf or Hard of HearingRead the Press Release
Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, joins the Civil Rights Division in announcing a settlement agreement has been reached with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections (WDOC) under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The settlement will help ensure that incarcerated individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing have equal access to WDOC’s programs, services and activities, including educational, counseling, medical, recreational and prison employment programs. The agreement resolves the department’s investigation into complaints that WDOC did not provide auxiliary aids and services, such as sign language interpreters, to incarcerated individuals with hearing disabilities.
Under the settlement agreement, WDOC will provide inmates with hearing disabilities appropriate auxiliary aids and services, such as sign language interpreters, video telephones, visual notification systems and hearing aids when necessary. WDOC must also make reasonable modifications to its policies, practices and procedures to accommodate inmates with disabilities, such as handcuffing in front to allow an individual who uses sign language to communicate, and allowing additional time for telephone calls that rely on an interpreter.
“The ability for incarcerated people with hearing disabilities to understand and to be understood is a critical protection provided by the ADA,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Civil Rights Division is committed to ensuring that correctional institutions eliminate barriers, including communication barriers, that prevent inmates with disabilities from participating fully in prison programs.”
“People with disabilities in Wisconsin deserve equal access, and that does not change when they are incarcerated,” said U.S. Attorney Haanstad. “Our office remains dedicated to supporting efforts to improve access and inclusion for everyone in Wisconsin.”
As a result of the agreement announced today, WDOC will implement a process that begins at intake, and continues throughout incarceration, to identify and accommodate inmates with hearing disabilities; develop individualized communication assessment and plans; provide training on the ADA to staff; and pay $15,000 to compensate three incarcerated individuals who were harmed.
The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin handled the matter.
The Justice Department plays a central role in advancing the nation’s goal of equal opportunity, full participation, independent living and economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities. For more information on the Civil Rights Division, please visit www.justice.gov/crt. For more information on the ADA, please call the department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (TDD 800-514-0383) or visit www.ada.gov. ADA complaints may be filed online at www.ada.gov/complaint. Additional information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Civil Rights Programs is available at www.justice.gov/usao-edwi/civil-rights.
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Justice Department Secures Agreement with Wisconsin Department of Corrections to Improve Communication Access for Incarcerated People who are Deaf or Hard of HearingRead the Press Release
The Justice Department today announced a settlement agreement with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections (WDOC) under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The settlement will help ensure that incarcerated individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing have equal access to WDOC’s programs, services and activities, including educational, counseling, medical, recreational and prison employment programs. The agreement resolves the department’s investigation into complaints that WDOC did not provide auxiliary aids and services, such as sign language interpreters, to incarcerated individuals with hearing disabilities.
Under the settlement agreement, WDOC will provide inmates with hearing disabilities appropriate auxiliary aids and services, such as sign language interpreters, video telephones, visual notification systems and hearing aids when necessary. WDOC must also make reasonable modifications to its policies, practices and procedures to accommodate inmates with disabilities, such as handcuffing in front to allow an individual who uses sign language to communicate, and allowing additional time for telephone calls that rely on an interpreter.
“The ability for incarcerated people with hearing disabilities to understand and to be understood is a critical protection provided by the ADA,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Civil Rights Division is committed to ensuring that correctional institutions eliminate barriers, including communication barriers, that prevent inmates with disabilities from participating fully in prison programs.”
“People with disabilities in Wisconsin deserve equal access, and that does not change when they are incarcerated,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. “The Wisconsin Department of Corrections has now committed to removing barriers to participation for inmates with disabilities in WDOC facilities, including inmates with hearing disabilities. Our office remains dedicated to supporting efforts to improve access and inclusion for everyone in Wisconsin.”
As a result of the agreement announced today, WDOC will implement a process that begins at intake, and continues throughout incarceration, to identify and accommodate inmates with hearing disabilities; develop individualized communication assessment and plans; provide training on the ADA to staff; and pay $15,000 to compensate three incarcerated individuals who were harmed.
The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin handled the matter.
The Justice Department plays a central role in advancing the nation’s goal of equal opportunity, full participation, independent living and economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities. For more information on the Civil Rights Division, please visit www.justice.gov/crt. For more information on the ADA, please call the department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (TDD 800-514-0383) or visit www.ada.gov. ADA complaints may be filed online at www.ada.gov/complaint. Additional information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Civil Rights Programs is available at www.justice.gov/usao-edwi/civil-rights.
Peshtigo Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison for Sexual Exploitation of a MinorRead the Press Release
Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on September 20, 2024, Zachary A. Zastawniak (age: 24) of Peshtigo, Wisconsin, was sentenced to 300 months in federal prison by Senior United States District Judge William C. Griesbach.
According to court records, Zastawniak pled guilty to knowingly persuading a minor to send him a sexually explicit video. In his plea agreement and at the sentencing hearing, Zastawniak acknowledged that he had victimized numerous minors in Oconto County and Northeast Wisconsin by employing coercive techniques to force them to engage in sexual activity. Much of the coercive activity was accomplished using various social media applications.
At the sentencing hearing, Judge Griesbach described the case as “horribly aggravated” and stated that Zastawniak repeatedly made “evil decisions” and engaged in “monstrous behavior.” Judge Griesbach also noted the bravery and courage of the victims, many of whom spoke at sentencing, when cooperating with law enforcement and ending the defendant’s criminal acts. Judge Griesbach also described Zastawniak’s prior involvement in similar crimes as “quite frightening.” Ultimately, the judge determined that a sentence of 300 months in federal prison was appropriate. Upon the completion of his federal prison sentence, the defendant will spend 25 years on supervised release. He will also have to register as a sex offender under state and federal law.
This case was brought as 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. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), 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.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case was investigated by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigations, the North Fond du Lac Police Department, Oconto Falls Police Department, Oconto Police Department, Oconto County Sheriff’s Office, and the Kingsford, Michigan, Department of Public Safety. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.
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Mexican National Sentenced to Five Years’ Imprisonment for Trafficking Cocaine and Possessing FirearmsRead the Press Release
Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on September 16, 2024, Senior United States District Judge William C. Griesbach sentenced Jose Resendiz-Gomez (age: 41) to a total of five years’ imprisonment after Resendiz-Gomez pled guilty to Possessing Cocaine With Intent to Distribute and Possessing Firearms as a Previously Convicted Felon and Illegal Alien, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1), and Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) & 922(g)(5)(A).
According to court records, in July 2023, agents with the Manitowoc County Drug Task Force arranged to make controlled buys of cocaine from Resendiz-Gomez, a previously convicted felon and Mexican national with no lawful status in the United Sates. In August 2023, officers arrested Resendiz-Gomez after a traffic stop where he was returning from Illinois, having purchased another 600 grams of cocaine to distribute in Manitowoc. A subsequent search warrant executed at his home revealed two 9-mm pistols and 70 rounds of ammunition.
At sentencing, Judge Griesbach stressed that Resendiz-Gomez’s months’ long cocaine trafficking and unlawful firearm possession were serious offenses warranting significant punishment and deterrence. The court ultimately imposed a five-year prison term. After completing his sentence, Resendiz-Gomez will face deportation to Mexico.
The case was investigated by the Manitowoc County Drug Task Force, the Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Funnell.
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Former City of Milwaukee Employee Sentenced in Embezzlement CaseRead the Press Release
Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on September 17, 2024, Kelly Whitmore-Behling (age: 47), formerly of Milwaukee, was sentenced to 12 months and one day of imprisonment, followed by three years’ supervised release for her role in an embezzlement scheme.
According to court records, Ms. Whitmore-Behling and her co-defendant were employed by the City of Milwaukee’s Department of Public Works, where their responsibilities included disposing of vehicles and equipment the City no longer needed. Between June and September of 2022, they executed an embezzlement scheme, selling City vehicles and equipment for cash and pocketing most of the proceeds for themselves. The City lost over $350,000 in revenue and was forced to incur additional expenses to replace needed vehicles and equipment that had gone missing. Court records also reveal that during the same time period, Ms. Whitmore-Behling gambled extensively at a local casino. The scheme ended when the co-defendants were suspended from work and the Department of Public Works conducted a thorough equipment audit that revealed the scope of their fraud.
“Ms. Whitmore-Behling abused a position of trust and harmed not only the City itself but also every taxpayer who lives and works in Milwaukee,” said U.S. Attorney Haanstad. “Her conduct caused hundreds of thousands of dollars of loss and risked undermining public faith in city government. I commend everyone who played a role in seeking to hold Ms. Whitmore-Behling and her codefendant accountable for their actions.”
“Ms. Whitmore-Behling was a public employee who cheated not only her employer but the citizens of Milwaukee by embezzling city funds to further her own greed,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Hensle of the FBI Milwaukee Field Office. “The FBI is committed to investigating matters of public corruption, such as Whitmore-Behling, in which government employees betray the trust of the public for personal gain.”
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Milwaukee Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca Taibleson.
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Federal Authorities Working with Local Partners to Reduce Domestic Violence in MilwaukeeRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad of the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced today that Milwaukee is among an initial set of 78 communities that Attorney General Merrick B. Garland has approved for designation under Section 1103 of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022 (VAWA).
As announced by the Attorney General, the United States Department of Justice - through its United States Attorney’s offices (USAOs) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Field Divisions - will partner with each designated jurisdiction to develop a plan to reduce intimate partner firearm violence and to prioritize prosecutions of domestic violence offenders prohibited from owning firearms under federal law.
“The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to working with all of our dedicated and talented law enforcement and community partners to continue to reduce domestic violence and hold offenders accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Haanstad. “Including Milwaukee in today’s designation demonstrates the Justice Department’s commitment to use all available federal tools to make all of our communities as safe as possible.”
“This important announcement will strengthen our partnerships between law enforcement and communities to assist victims of domestic violence,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Christopher Amon of the Chicago Field Division. “ATF prioritizes investigations of prohibited persons who illegally possess firearms and look forward to the United States Attorney's leadership to prosecute these important cases.”
Communities have been designated by Attorney General Garland in close coordination with community stakeholders. The designated jurisdictions span 47 states and include rural areas, suburban areas, urban areas, and Tribal communities. The Justice Department used data to identify communities that could benefit from increased focus on intimate partner violence resources and where the local jurisdiction is committed to partnering with the Department to increase the use of federal tools to prosecute domestic violence offenders who unlawfully possess firearms.
The Justice Department anticipates additional jurisdictions to be designated as USAOs continue coordination with their local stakeholders. All USAOs, with or without specific community designations under Section 1103, will continue to combat intimate partner firearm violence and prioritize prosecutions of domestic violence offenders as part of their Project Safe Neighborhoods strategy and in support of the Department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime.
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Cudahy Man Sentenced to 15 Years’ Imprisonment on Gun and Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad of the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced on September 12, 2024, Michael J. Yumang (age: 39), of Cudahy, Wisconsin, was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release.
After a bench trial in June 2024 before United States District Judge J.P. Stadtmueller, Yumang was convicted of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, attempting to possess methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking. Evidence introduced during the trial showed that Yumang used the United States Postal Service to receive substantial quantities of methamphetamine at his home in the Eastern District of Wisconsin. Yumang also kept a firearm at his residence to protect his contraband and drug proceeds.
During the sentencing hearing, Judge Stadtmueller emphasized that Yumang was “very, very fortunate to be alive,” given his involvement with drugs and firearms. Judge Stadtmueller also found that Yumang had perjured himself during his trial, such that Yumang had obstructed justice and was subject to a sentencing enhancement.
“Today’s sentence makes clear that under federal law, individuals who deal in highly addictive and devastating controlled substances – especially those who do so while armed – will face lengthy prison sentences,” said U.S. Attorney Haanstad. “We are committed to working with all of our federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners to hold individuals who endanger the community fully accountable for their actions.”
“Yumang’s criminal activity was of great local concern to the City of Cudahy Police Department”, said Cudahy Police Chief Thomas Poellot, “By working collaboratively with investigators, police officers were aware of information that caused them to investigate further while handling a traffic-related matter, which furthered this investigation.” The Cudahy Police Department greatly benefits by our ongoing partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration, United States Postal Inspection Service, and the United States Attorney’s office.”
This matter was investigated by the Cudahy Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the United States Postal Inspection Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Katherine Halopka-Ivery, William Berens, and Kevin Knight.
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Former Wisconsin Prison Employee Pleads Guilty to BriberyRead the Press Release
A Wisconsin man pleaded guilty today to smuggling contraband into a state maximum-security prison in exchange for bribes.
According to court documents, William Lee Homan, 47, of Fox Lake, a former facilities repair worker at Waupun Correctional Institution (WCI), received approximately 125 bribe payments totaling approximately $53,579 from July 17, 2022, to Sept. 30, 2023, from inmates, former inmates, and their associates in exchange for smuggling contraband into WCI.
Homan pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit federal program bribery. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 12 and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, and U.S. Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad for the Eastern District of Wisconsin made the announcement.
The FBI Milwaukee Field Office investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Aaron L. Jennen of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary J. Corey for the Eastern District of Wisconsin are prosecuting the case.
Former Wisconsin Prison Employee Pleads Guilty to BriberyRead the Press Release
Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, joins Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, in announcing that on September 12, 2024, William Lee Homan, 47, of Fox Lake, pleaded guilty to smuggling contraband into a state maximum-security prison in exchange for bribes.
According to court documents, Homan, a former facilities repair worker at Waupun Correctional Institution (WCI), received approximately 125 bribe payments totaling approximately $53,579 from July 17, 2022, to September 30, 2023, from inmates, former inmates, and their associates in exchange for smuggling contraband into WCI.
Homan pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit federal program bribery. He is scheduled to be sentenced on December 12, 2024 and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Aaron L. Jennen of the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary J. Corey for the Eastern District of Wisconsin are prosecuting the case.
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Three-Time Federal Defendant Sentenced to 12 Years’ ImprisonmentRead the Press Release
Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on September 3, 2024, Ramone J. Locke, Sr. (age: 37) of Milwaukee, was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment, followed by four years’ supervised release.
According to court records, a proactive law enforcement investigation revealed that Locke was supplying cocaine traffickers operating on Milwaukee’s North Side. That investigation culminated in Locke’s arrest in June 2022, with two kilograms of cocaine hidden inside a secret compartment in his car. As part of Locke’s guilty plea in this case, he admitted that his drug trafficking with this group involved five-to-fifteen kilograms of cocaine. Locke had previously been convicted of multiple felony offenses, including federal convictions for money laundering involving cocaine and using a telephone in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Before imposing sentence, United States District Judge Lynn Adelman found that Locke had obstructed justice while this case was pending, by attempting to intimidate a witness against him. Judge Adelman also found that Locke had supervised others beneath him in the drug distribution trade.
Court records also revealed that Locke was also involved with violence or threatening violence, messaging with his family members regarding firearms; their rivals; and Locke’s intention to “kill” another individual himself.
“Despite prior federal convictions, Mr. Locke returned to drug trafficking and to conduct involving firearms, violence, and witness intimidation,” said U.S. Attorney Haanstad. “The sentence imposed in this case was the direct result of tireless work by federal, state, and local law enforcement – all of whom are dedicated to making the Eastern District of Wisconsin as safe as possible for everyone who lives and works here.”
“The severity of this sentence illustrates the importance of holding accountable those who threaten the community with violence and drug trafficking” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Christopher Amon of the Chicago Field Division. “I commend the Milwaukee Police Department and Racine County Sheriff’s Office for their diligence in investigating this case and the United States Attorney’s Office for prosecuting it.”
Sheriff Schmaling stated, “I am extremely proud of the work done by the deputies involved in this case. From a simple traffic stop, the deputy performed an interview of the driver who gave answers that aroused the deputy’s suspicions. The back-up deputy used K9 Zeke to establish probable cause of the presence of contraband, and the deputies thoroughly and meticulously searched the vehicle – ultimately defeating a sophisticated trap compartment to locate four and a half pounds of cocaine. It is impossible to measure the number of lives saved by these deputies, the subsequent prosecution, and ultimately conviction of this dangerous criminal.”
This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Milwaukee Police Department, and the Racine County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Katherine Halopka-Ivery and Kevin Knight.
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Repeat Offender Sentenced for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on September 4, 2024, Brandon R. Gerry (Age: 39) of West Bend, Wisconsin, was sentenced to 150 months’ imprisonment for possession of child pornography, or child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
According to court records, in 2023, investigators identified multiple online accounts, later determined to be used by Gerry, which had possessed, received, and distributed CSAM. Gerry used the internet platforms Discord, MeetMe, Reddit, and MeWe to trade CSAM. Gerry’s accounts also contained sexualized conversations concerning children.
Gerry was previously convicted of distribution of child pornography in 2018 and was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment.
At the sentencing hearing, United States District Judge Lynn Adelman noted the serious nature of the offense and a strong need to deter Gerry and others who might engage in similar crimes. After serving his 12 ½ year term of imprisonment, Gerry will spend 10 years on supervised release and will be required to continue to register as a sexual offender under state and federal law.
This case was brought as 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. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), 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.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Abbey M. Marzick
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Fremont Home Construction Contractor Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Bank Fraud and Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on August 28, 2024, Senior United States District Judge William C. Griesbach sentenced Ross O. Schlomann (age: 45) to five years in federal prison after Schlomann was convicted of bank fraud and money laundering. Schlomann was also ordered to pay $2.1 million in restitution.
According to court records, Schlomann is a former home construction contractor for Refurbs Properties, LLC, which was based in Fremont, Wisconsin. As a contractor, he worked with aspiring homeowners to design homes, hire subcontractors, and manage builds in northeastern Wisconsin and elsewhere. The investigation revealed that Schlomann defrauded more than a dozen victims whose homes he had promised to build. The victims paid Schlomann substantial sums of money, yet they saw little or no work done despite Schlomann’s representations. Schlomann accepted the victims’ money, made false statements to have the money disbursed by the appliable bank, and then used the money for other purposes, including covering shortages on previous projects. In total, the victims lost $2.1 million.
”To keep his scheme going, Mr. Schlomann made repeated false statements and ultimately caused over $2 million in losses to individuals looking to build homes,” said U.S. Attorney Haanstad. “I commend the hard work of all involved in seeking justice for the victims in this case.”
“Ross Schlomann not only betrayed the trust of his clients, but he also undermined the very foundation of the construction industry,” said Ramsey E. Covington, Acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Chicago Field Office. “His actions represent a grave violation of ethical standards and have left lasting scars on those he victimized. IRS Criminal Investigation will continue to work diligently to ensure that those who exploit and defraud others are held accountable.”
In sentencing Schlomann, Judge Griesbach stated that this was a “sophisticated Ponzi scheme” and an “egregious betrayal of trust.” Judge Griesbach stressed that Schlomann victimized young families who were seeking to design and build their dream homes.
This case was investigated by Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation and the Outagamie County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Alex Duros prosecuted the case.
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Milwaukee Man Sentenced to 20 Years’ Imprisonment for Sex TraffickingRead the Press Release
Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on August 22, 2024, Montae D. Jacobs (age: 34) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was sentenced to a term of 20 years’ imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, after being convicted following a bench trial of two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, one count of sex trafficking of a child, and ten other related charges.
According to court records, the offenses for which Jacobs was convicted began in 2019 and continued through 2023. It also included conduct that occurred after his arrest and indictment in this case, while he served a state prison sentence. Throughout his time in custody, Jacobs continuously attempted to recruit new victims for his sex trafficking scheme, including at least one minor. Jacobs solicited, and in some cases paid, his fellow inmates for the contact information of women and girls they thought might be susceptible to Jacobs’ pitch, which was that they could quickly become wealthy by prostituting and live-streaming pornographic content if they followed his detailed instructions. His instructions included paying part of their earnings to him. Jacobs sent any women who were responsive to him letters, emails, and calls multiple times a day, exhorting them to call him “daddy” and “king,” to “submit” and “bow down” to him, and to recruit other victims for him.
In announcing the sentence, United States District Judge Lynn Adelman emphasized that while Jacobs may not have been as financially successful or as violent as some other traffickers previously sentenced in this district, his unusual degree of persistence and total lack of remorse required a serious sentence, both to protect the community from future crimes by Jacobs and to deter others who would engage in similar conduct. Judge Adelman also noted that the varied and nefarious means by which Jacobs controlled his victims, including false promises, physical violence, threats to have the victims arrested or evicted, and manipulation of their drug addictions, influenced the Court’s sentencing decision.
“The sentence in this case reflects the fact that human trafficking is a brutal offense, involving victimizing individuals day after day,” said U.S. Attorney Haanstad. “In this case, Mr. Jacobs not only engaged in this conduct while in the community but he also continued to seek to victimize vulnerable individuals even after being placed in custody. I commend the hard work of all involved in seeking justice for and giving a voice to the individuals exploited by Mr. Jacobs.”
“Human trafficking is a heinous crime that has no place in Wisconsin or anywhere else,” said Attorney General Josh Kaul. “Thank you to everyone who collaborated to make this investigation and prosecution successful.”
This case was investigated by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation, with support from the South Milwaukee Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Erica J. Lounsberry and Kate M. Biebel.
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Fox Valley Man Sentenced to 12 1/2 years’ Imprisonment for Trafficking Fentanyl and for Possessing Firearms in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking and as a Previously Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
Wisconsin, announced that on August 13, 2024, Senior United States District Judge William C. Griesbach sentenced Christopher D. Turner (age: 32) to a total sentence of 12 1/2 years’ imprisonment and eight years supervised release after Turner pled guilty to Possessing Fentanyl With Intent to Distribute, Possessing Firearms in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking, and Possessing Firearms as a Previously Convicted Felon, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1), and Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(c).
According to court records, in October and November 2023, agents with the Lake Winnebago Area Metropolitan Enforcement Group (“LWAM”) used informants to make controlled buys of fentanyl from Turner. LWAM ultimately arrested Turner on December 14, 2023, when he arrived at Turner Furniture, which was a storefront that he maintained in Grand Chute. Agents executed search warrants at Turner Furniture and two residences linked to Turner in Menasha and Kaukauna, finding over 18 grams of cocaine, 264 grams of illicitly made fentanyl, and two 9-mm pistols. One of the pistols had an extended magazine capable of holding more than 15 rounds of ammunition, and the other pistol had a magazine loaded with 15 rounds. Turner is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition because he was previously convicted of two robberies by force in Outagamie and Winnebago Counties.
In sentencing Turner, Judge Griesbach stressed that dealing fentanyl is akin to dealing poison, that it causes numerous deaths in northeast Wisconsin and across the country, and that Turner’s crimes had the effect of enriching Mexican drug cartels who illicitly manufacture fentanyl to be distributed and used in the United States. Judge Griesbach cited other aggravating factors, including Turner’s criminal history and his unlawful possession of two pistols in furtherance of drug trafficking and as a convicted felon.
This case was investigated by the Lake Winnebago Area Metropolitan Enforcement Group Drug Unit, the Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Funnel.
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Madison Felon Sentenced for Possessing Five Firearms in AppletonRead the Press Release
Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on August 9, 2024, Edlando M. Watson (Age: 41) of Madison, Wisconsin, was sentenced to 65 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of five firearms.
According to court records, Watson transported five firearms from his home in Madison to a storage facility in Appleton, Wisconsin. Watson is prohibited under state and federal law from ever possessing a firearm based on his 2012 federal conviction for possession with the intent to distribute cocaine.
At his sentencing hearing, Senior United States District Judge William C. Griesbach noted the serious nature of the offense, Watson’s poor prior record, and the need to protect the public. He further noted a strong need to deter Watson and other prohibited persons from possessing firearms. After serving his 65-month term of imprisonment, Watson will spend three years on supervised.
This case was investigated by the Madison Police Department with the assistance of the Appleton Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.
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Green Bay Man Sentenced to 60 Months’ Imprisonment for Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on August 13, 2024, Bryan S. Peterson (Age: 46) of Green Bay, Wisconsin, a former high school football coach and Oneida Tribal Court Bailiff, was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment for distributing sexually explicit images of minors online.
According to court records, in early 2024, investigators identified an online account, later determined to be used by Peterson, which had received and distributed child pornography. On February 21, 2024, federal agents executed a search warrant at Peterson’s residence and recovered numerous electronic devices containing sexualized conversations concerning children and images depicting child pornography.
At the sentencing hearing, Senior United States District Judge William C. Griesbach noted the serious nature of the offense and a strong need to deter Peterson and others who might engage in similar crimes. After serving his five-year term of imprisonment, Peterson will spend seven years on supervised release and will be required to register as a sexual offender under state and federal law.
This case was brought as 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. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), 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.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s investigatory offices in Monterey, California, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.
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Oshkosh Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking While Serving a Sentence for a Prior Drug Trafficking ConvictionRead the Press Release
Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced today that on August 7, 2024, Senior United States District Judge William C. Griesbach sentenced Sherman M. Threets (age: 39) to 15 years in federal prison after Threets was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine.
According to court records, Threets was previously convicted of conspiracy to distribute heroin and was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison. In January 2022, Threets was released to a residential reentry center, commonly known as a halfway house, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He immediately began distributing controlled substances and recruiting partners for his newly formed drug trafficking organization. In April 2022, after several controlled buys of controlled substances, a search warrant was executed, during which law enforcement seized approximately 12 pounds of methamphetamine, over one pound of cocaine, and 100 grams of fentanyl which Threets had stored at a residence.
As noted during the sentencing hearing, while Threets was awaiting trial, he attempted to recruit an individual who would be willing to “take the charges” by lying to the district court about who possessed the substances seized during the investigation. In exchange for that individual lying to the court, Threets promised to provide that individual with 15 kilograms of methamphetamine. Threets met with an individual on three occasions to discuss the plan in detail, but unbeknownst to Threets, he was speaking to an undercover agent.
This case was investigated by the Lake Winnebago Area Metropolitan Enforcement Group – Drug Unit (LWAM), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney Alex Duros prosecuted the case.
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Two Brookfield, Wisconsin-Based Companies and Their Owners Pay over $10 Million to Resolve Allegations that They Evaded Customs DutiesRead the Press Release
Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that Precision Cable Assemblies, Inc. (PCA), Global Engineered Products, Inc. (GEP), and their principals, Ryan Schmus and Richard Horky, paid over $10 million to resolve allegations that the companies failed to pay millions of dollars in customs duties on goods imported from the People’s Republic of China.
PCA and GEP are Wisconsin corporations with principal places of business in Brookfield. PCA sells wire harnesses, battery cables, and other wiring products. GEP sells power distribution products. Both companies import goods from China.
When a company, such as PCA and GEP, imports goods into the United States, the importer is required to file entry documents with the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), including information about the value of the goods. The importer must declare that the values reported are true to the best of its knowledge and belief. The amount of duties owed depends, in large part, on the value of the goods and the applicable tariff rate.
The United States alleged that PCA and GEP submitted and caused the submission of false commercial invoices to CBP that significantly undervalued the goods imported from China from 2016 through November 2021. More specifically, two Chinese suppliers sent PCA and GEP invoices in electronic spreadsheet format with the full, actual price of the goods imported. PCA and GEP, however, falsified the invoices by altering the spreadsheets to reduce the prices, generally by 70%, and then provided those altered invoices to its customs broker, which, in turn, unknowingly submitted the false invoices to CBP. The United States thus alleged that Defendants avoided payment of millions of dollars of duties on the imported goods, especially after additional duties were imposed on certain goods imported from China in 2018.
GEP initially paid CBP approximately $4.2 million in duties lost from this undervaluation scheme. Pursuant to a settlement agreement with the United States Attorney’s Office, Defendants paid another $6 million to the United States to fully resolve its liability for the alleged evasion of duties, including its potential liability under the False Claims Act.
“The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to preventing fraud,” said U.S. Attorney Haanstad. “Companies that import goods into the United States must provide Customs and Border Protection with truthful information and pay all of the applicable duties owed. This settlement sends a strong message to companies and their owners that they must follow the customs rules.”
LaFonda D. Sutton-Burke, the Chicago Director of Field Operations for CBP, added, “Entities that attempt to defraud the U.S. Government, the American people, and our economy will not succeed.”
The settlement resolves a lawsuit filed under the qui tam or whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act, which permits private parties to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims submitted to the government and share in a portion of the government’s recovery. The Act permits the United States to intervene and take over responsibility for litigating these cases, as the United States did here. The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. Grob v. Precision Cables Assemblies, Inc., et al., Case No. 22-C-570 (E.D. Wis.) and was brought by Travis Grob, a former employee of PCA. Grob received $1,260,000.
Along with auditors, import specialists, and attorneys from CBP and agents for Homeland Security Investigations, Assistant United States Attorneys Michael Carter and Carter Stewart of the Eastern District of Wisconsin handled the matter.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
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Illinois Man Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal Prison for Attempting to Transfer Obscene Material to a MinorRead the Press Release
Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on August 1, 2024, Terrence E. Fabino (Age: 61) of Lake County, Illinois, was sentenced to serve 120 months in federal prison following his guilty plea to a charge of attempting to transfer obscene material to a minor, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1470.
According to the court documents, Fabino engaged in online communications with an individual he believed to be a minor located in Northeast Wisconsin. Fabino requested sexually explicit images from the minor and also sent an obscene image of himself taken in a commuter train bathroom to the minor, who was actually an undercover law enforcement officer.
At sentencing, Senior United States District Court Judge William C. Griesbach noted the serious nature of the offense and the need to protect the community, particularly minors, from Fabino’s actions. After serving his prison sentence, Fabino will spend three years on supervised release and will be required to register as a sexual offender under state and federal law.
This case was investigated by the Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.
This case was brought as 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. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), 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.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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Milwaukee Man Pleads Guilty to Smuggling Machine Gun Conversion Devices and Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on July 24, 2024, Demario Robinson (age 22) pled guilty to smuggling machinegun conversion devices, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 545, and possession of a firearm by a felon, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1).
Based on the criminal complaint and the plea agreement filed in this case, between July 11, 2022, and June 5, 2023, Robinson bought and caused to be imported over 200 machinegun conversion devices (MCDs), commonly referred to as “switches.” Robinson then sold these MCDs to others in the greater Milwaukee area. MCDs convert ordinary pistols into fully automatic weapons.
According to court records, Robinson was arrested on June 20, 2023, after U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents intercepted a package sent from China containing 47 MCDs that Robinson arranged to have delivered to his residence in Milwaukee. A search warrant was then executed on his residence, resulting in the recovery of a firearm containing a MCD, which made it illegal to possess, even for someone otherwise not prohibited from possessing a firearm. Additionally, Robinson has a prior felony conviction prohibiting his possession of any firearm.
Based upon the counts of conviction, Robinson faces a statutory maximum of 35 years’ imprisonment. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 24, 2024, before United States District Judge J.P. Stadtmueller.
The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation – Milwaukee Area Safe Streets Task Force, and the Milwaukee Police Department – Special Investigations Division. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Bill Roach and Mike Schindhelm.
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Sex Offender Sentenced to 15 Months in Prison for Failure to Register in WisconsinRead the Press Release
Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on July 23, 2024, Chief United States District Judge Pamela Pepper sentenced Celio C. Deluna, aka “Cody Banks,” (age: 33) to 15 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for knowingly failing to register as a sex offender as required by federal law. Deluna previously pled guilty to one count of failure to register as a sex offender, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2250(a).
According to court documents, on May 23, 2014, Deluna was convicted in Cook County, Illinois, for Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault Causing Bodily Harm for having sexual intercourse on several occasions with a 13-year-old victim. He was sentenced to six years in prison for that offense. He completed that sentence on May 20, 2019, and signed documents indicating that he understood that he was required to register as a sex offender. However, after he was released from prison, he moved to Oklahoma and did not register as a sex offender. In September 2023, Deluna travelled from Oklahoma to Princeton, Wisconsin, where he began to reside using the alias of “Cody Banks.” He was ultimately arrested in Princeton.
In court proceedings, DeLuna admitted to using an alias to circumvent his registration requirements as well as to conceal his status as an immigrant who is not authorized to live in the United States.
This case was brought as 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. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), 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.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Karine Moreno-Taxman.
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Green Bay Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Dealing Fentanyl Resulting in Death of 17-year oldRead the Press Release
Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on July 18, 2024, Senior U.S. District Judge William C. Griesbach sentenced Roosevelt T. Taylor (age: 36) to 20 years in prison after he pled guilty to Distributing Fentanyl Resulting in Death, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841.
According to court records, for at least several weeks in 2023, Taylor repeatedly distributed counterfeit Percocet® “M30” pills containing fentanyl in the Green Bay area. Taylor described himself as a “middler” who connected customers to a larger drug distributor. In that role, Taylor became responsible for putting hundreds of fake Percocet® pills into circulation, not knowing who would ultimately ingest the potentially lethal dose of fentanyl found in about 70% of such pills. During one fentanyl-trafficking offense, Taylor supplied “M30” pills to a 17-year-old female who used them and died of fentanyl toxicity. At the time, Taylor had a lengthy criminal history, including prior jail and prison sentences, and was on supervision in three separate felony cases for robbery, burglary, and delivery of heroin.
At the sentencing hearing, Judge Griesbach emphasized that trafficking fentanyl is distributing “poison.” The judge considered nationwide data that 7 in 10 counterfeit pills tested at DEA Crime Labs contain a lethal dose of fentanyl, that fentanyl is the leading cause of death for 18- to 45-year-olds, and that synthetic opiates like fentanyl cause over 73,000 deaths annually in the U.S.—equal to 200 deaths per day.
According to the DEA, illicit fentanyl remains the deadliest drug threat facing this country. It is a highly addictive synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. Just two milligrams of fentanyl—the amount that fits on the tip of a pencil—is considered a potentially deadly dose. The Sinaloa Cartel and Jalisco Cartel in Mexico, using chemicals largely sourced from China, are primarily responsible for most of the fentanyl that is being trafficked in communities across the United States.
This case was investigated by the Brown County Drug Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Funnell.
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Former Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Pleads Guilty to Smuggling ContrabandRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad announced that on July 12, 2024, Johanna Grace (age: 34) plead guilty to providing marijuana and a cellular telephone to an inmate of the Waukesha County Jail, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2(a), 1791(a)(1), 1791(b)(3), and 1791(b)(4).
Publicly filed documents reflect that when Grace committed this offense, she was serving as a Lieutenant with the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office. She coordinated with associates outside the Waukesha County Jail to bring contraband inside the facility, and when she realized her crime would be discovered, Grace shared internal law enforcement reports with those same associates. Grace has acknowledged that as part of her offense of conviction, she obstructed justice.
Grace faces a statutory maximum of five years’ imprisonment. Sentencing is set for October 9, 2024, before United States District Judge J.P. Stadtmueller.
This matter was investigated by the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Katherine Halopka-Ivery and Kevin Knight.
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Former Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Pleads Guilty to Smuggling ContrabandRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad announced that on July 12, 2024, Johanna Grace (age: 34) plead guilty to providing marijuana and a cellular telephone to an inmate of the Waukesha County Jail, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2(a), 1791(a)(1), 1791(b)(3), and 1791(b)(4).
Publicly filed documents reflect that when Grace committed this offense, she was serving as a Lieutenant with the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office. She coordinated with associates outside the Waukesha County Jail to bring contraband inside the facility, and when she realized her crime would be discovered, Grace shared internal law enforcement reports with those same associates. Grace has acknowledged that as part of her offense of conviction, she obstructed justice.
Grace faces a statutory maximum of five years’ imprisonment. Sentencing is set for October 9, 2024, before United States District Judge J.P. Stadtmueller.
This matter was investigated by the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Katherine Halopka-Ivery and Kevin Knight.
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Drug Distribution in Menominee and Ho-Chunk Tribal Communities Leads to Prison Sentence for Former Keshena ManRead the Press Release
Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that Charles A. Parham (age: 42), a former resident of Keshena and Wausau, received a prison sentence of 144 months following a conviction for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
The sentence, imposed on July 8, 2024, by Senior United States District Judge William C. Griesbach, was the result of a guilty plea entered by Parham on April 10, 2024. After he completes his prison sentence, Parham also will spend eight years on supervised release.
According to court records, on September 29, 2023, an undercover agent purchased just under 5 grams of heroin from Parham at a location in Keshena on the Menominee Indian Reservation. At the time, Parham was under investigation for selling controlled substances in the Wausau area. The undercover agent and Parham communicated over the next week and a half and discussed Parham obtaining 20 grams of fentanyl, which Parham stated would be from his source in Chicago.
Law enforcement obtained a search warrant and tracked Parham’s movements on October 11, 2023, as he left the Wausau area and traveled to Chicago and back. The undercover officer and Parham agreed to meet at a casino on Ho-Chunk tribal land outside Wittenberg in Shawano County, and law enforcement stopped and arrested Parham when the vehicle he was in arrived at the casino. Investigators recovered a plastic baggy containing over 40 grams of fentanyl.
In sentencing the defendant, Judge Griesbach noted the seriousness of the crime and remarked upon the need to deter those who might consider similar actions and to protect the community from the destructive effects of abuse of controlled substances.
Judge Griesbach also noted the need to incarcerate Parham for a lengthy period, given Parham’s three previous felony convictions for drug dealing.
The case was investigated by multiple agencies, including the Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force, Menominee Tribal Police Department, and FBI. The Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory also provided valuable assistance. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Maier prosecuted the case in U.S. District Court in Green Bay.
Agencies investigated the case under the auspices of the Safe Trails Task Force (STTF) and Native American Drug and Gang Initiative (NADGI). NADGI and STTF partner federal, tribal, state, and local law enforcement to combat drug trafficking and violent crime on the Menominee Indian Reservation. STTF members are deputized federal officers who identify and target for prosecution individuals who are involved in distribution of dangerous drugs on the Menominee Indian Reservation. Coordination of state resources through NADGI permits efficient communication and evidence processing, which are essential to swift but fair prosecution of offenders.
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Appleton Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on July 8, 2024, Senior United States District Judge William C. Griesbach sentenced Randy D. Mack (age: 36) to 15 years in federal prison after Mack was convicted of attempted possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
According to court records, in December 2022, agents intercepted a United Parcel Service (UPS) package intended for Mack that contained approximately 56,000 fake Percocet® pills containing fentanyl. The seized pills had a street value of approximately $537,660.
The investigation revealed that Mack distributed nearly 1 million fentanyl pills in Arizona, Michigan, and Wisconsin. In addition to sending them via UPS, he paid couriers to conceal fentanyl pills in carry-on luggage and transport them on commercial flights. During an interview, Mack took credit for most of the fentanyl pills in the Fox Valley, stating, “There’s not a single pill in the Valley that doesn’t have my name on it.”
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), counterfeit Percocet® pills are commonly made by Mexican drug cartels and smuggled into the United States. Laboratory testing indicates that 7 out of every 10 pills seized by the DEA contain a lethal dose of fentanyl. In 2023, the DEA seized more than 80 million fentanyl-laced fake pills and nearly 12,000 pounds of fentanyl powder, which is equivalent to more than 381 million lethal doses of fentanyl.
This case was investigated by the Lake Winnebago Area Metropolitan Enforcement Group – Drug Unit (LWAM) and the DEA. Assistant United States Attorney Alex Duros prosecuted the case.
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Illinois Man Sentenced to 15 Months’ Imprisonment for Fraud Involving Luxury VehiclesRead the Press Release
Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on June 26, 2024, Tomasz Bazarewicz (age: 39) was sentenced to fifteen months’ imprisonment for conspiring to commit money laundering. Bazarewicz’s term of imprisonment will be followed by three years of supervised release. Along with his coconspirators, Bazarewicz also will be responsible for paying $3,500,000 in restitution to his victims.
Publicly filed documents in the case reflect that Bazarewicz and his coconspirators engaged in a sophisticated scheme to defraud vehicle brokers and dealerships involving the foreign sale of luxury automobiles. Over the course of the conspiracy, Bazarewicz both lied to the conspirators’ customers, calming their fears about missing automobiles, and laundered the conspiracy’s proceeds during luxury gambling trips. All told, Bazarewicz was responsible for laundering over three million dollars of ill-gotten funds.
“At the time he learned of the ongoing conspiracy, Mr. Bazarewicz was professionally successful and doing well financially,” said U.S. Attorney Haanstad. “Despite this, rather than avoiding the criminal conduct or doing the right thing by reporting it, he joined in and helped further it for his own financial gain. I commend the hard work of the investigating agents and all who worked to hold the conspirators accountable in this matter.”
“Our commitment to justice is unwavering, and the outcome of this case exemplifies our dedication to dismantling criminal enterprises that exploit the financial system,” said Ramsey Covington, acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Chicago Field Office. “The collaborative efforts of IRS Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Attorney’s Office has been instrumental in achieving this result, ensuring Bazarewicz and his co-conspirators are held accountable for their criminal activities.”
At the sentencing hearing, United States District Judge Lynn Adelman noted that confinement was appropriate in Bazarewicz’s case to deter other would-be fraudsters from engaging in similar conduct. Judge Adelman also noted that while Bazarewicz was not the conspiracy’s ringleader, he took an active role in advancing these crimes, establishing his own subsidiary company to be used in the scheme and encouraging other members of the conspiracy, via text message, to “run it up.”
This matter was investigated by the Criminal Investigation division of the Internal Revenue Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Laura Kwaterski and Kevin Knight.
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Eastern District of Wisconsin Participates in National Health Care Fraud Law Enforcement ActionRead the Press Release
Today, United States Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad announced that a grand jury had indicted Lori Banyard Butts (age 47; of Wales, Wisconsin) in connection with an alleged scheme to defraud Wisconsin Medicaid and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
The indictment charges Butts with eight counts of healthcare fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1347, and eight counts of wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343. The indictment alleges that through her company, Butts billed for the staffing of adult family homes that was not provided. The indictment alleges that her company received approximately $1.4 million to which it was not entitled, and that Butts then converted a substantial portion of this money to her personal use.
U.S. Attorney Haanstad explained that the indictment in this case was part of the Department of Justice’s 2024 National Health Care Fraud Enforcement Action, which was a strategically coordinated, two-week initiative that resulted in criminal charges against 193 defendants for their alleged participation in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes that resulted in the submission of over $2.75 billion in alleged false billings.
More on the nationwide effort, including statements from the Attorney General and the leadership of other participating federal agencies and departments can be found here https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/national-health-care-fraud-enforcement-action-results-193-defendants-charged-and-over-275-0.
If convicted, Butts would face up to ten years’ imprisonment on each of the health care fraud counts and up to 20 years’ imprisonment on the wire fraud counts. Each count of conviction also could result in a fine of up to $250,000.
The case was investigated by FBI-Milwaukee, with assistance from the Criminal Investigation division of the Internal Revenue Service. The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Carter Stewart and Zachary Corey.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent.
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Utah Man Convicted of Impersonating a Federal Officer and Wire FraudRead the Press Release
Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on June 25, 2024, Juan Carlos Martinez-Napoles (age: 38) of Utah, was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for impersonating a federal officer and wire fraud. He was also ordered to pay restitution to the victims of his crime and to serve two years on supervised release following his prison sentence.
According to court documents, between approximately September 2018 and December 2019, Martinez-Napoles posed as an immigration agent from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and falsely represented to numerous victims that he could assist them in achieving legal status in the United States for a fee. During the course of his scheme, Martinez-Napoles induced three Wisconsin families to pay him approximately $45,000 in exchange for his “services.” He also threatened to have members of one family deported if they did not pay him significant fees.
At the sentencing hearing, United States District Court Chief Judge Pamela Pepper discussed the serious nature of the crime and the need to deter the defendant and others from engaging in this type of fraud.
“Fraudulently posing as a USCIS agent, Mr. Martinez-Napoles took advantage of vulnerable individuals, whom he convinced to pay a total of over $45,000 for his ‘help,’” said U.S. Attorney Haanstad. “In reality, he was simply lying to these individuals to line his own pockets. And when a victim questioned his activities, Mr. Martinez-Napoles even threatened to have the victim’s family deported. I commend the hard work of everyone who helped bring Mr. Martinez-Napoles to justice and commend the victims for their willingness to cooperate with the legitimate federal authorities in this matter.”
“Posing as a government official as Martinez-Napoles did for the purposes of exploiting and victimizing other individuals is intolerable,” said Special Agent in Charge Sean Fitzgerald of HSI Chicago. “HSI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold such offenders accountable for their crimes.”
This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations and the Milwaukee Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Ladwig.
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Sikorsky Support Services, Inc. and Derco Aerospace, Inc. Agree to Pay $70 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations of Improper Markups on Spare Parts for Navy Trainer AircraftRead the Press Release
Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, joins the Civil Division of the Department of Justice in announcing that Sikorsky Support Services, Inc. (“SSSI”), a Delaware corporation headquartered in Stratford, Connecticut, and Derco Aerospace, Inc. (“Derco”), a Wisconsin corporation headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, have agreed to pay $70 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations that they overcharged the Navy for spare parts and materials needed to repair and maintain the primary aircraft used to train naval aviators.
In a lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, the United States alleged that SSSI and Derco, which were both wholly-owned subsidiaries of the same parent company, knowingly entered into an improper cost-plus-percentage-of-cost (“CPPC”) subcontract. Under that contract, SSSI agreed to purchase parts from Derco at the cost that Derco paid other suppliers for those parts, plus a fixed 32 percent markup. SSSI, in turn, submitted cost vouchers to the Navy for reimbursement of the amounts it paid to Derco. The government alleged that, by failing to disclose that the costs claimed by SSSI were the product of an illegal CPPC subcontract between SSSI and Derco, SSSI and Derco knowingly presented false and fraudulent cost vouchers to the Navy. The district court ruled that Derco’s markup violated a federal statute barring CPPC contracting, which Congress prohibited because it gives suppliers incentive to drive up government costs, as well as the terms of the prime contracts between SSSI and the Navy.
“Government contractors must ensure their subcontracting arrangements comply with the law and with their contractual obligations,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Today’s settlement demonstrates that the Justice Department will ensure that government contractors do not skirt the law and engage in self-dealing that may artificially inflate their charges at the expense of the American taxpayers.”
“The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to preventing fraud and protecting taxpayer money,” said Gregory J. Haanstad, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. “Government contractors must put compliance with the law ahead of profits. This settlement makes the United States whole for the inflated costs arising from SSSI’s and Derco’s illegal subcontract while deterring future violations of the law.”
“Today’s settlement agreement should serve as a strong deterrent for those who seek to exploit the DoD’s procurement process,” said Special Agent-in-Charge Darrin K. Jones, Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Southeast Field Office. “This investigation is part of an ongoing effort by the Defense Criminal Investigative Service and our partners to aggressively investigate defective pricing and cost mischarging schemes that put American taxpayer dollars at risk.”
“Overinflation of parts and material costs for the repair and maintenance of aircraft affected naval air training and is a disservice to the American taxpayer,” said Special Agent in Charge Greg Gross of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Economic Crimes Field Office. “NCIS continues to safeguard the Department of the Navy’s warfighting efforts from economic crimes by upholding the integrity of the defense acquisition process.”
The settlement resolves a lawsuit filed under the qui tam or whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act, which permits private parties to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and share in a portion of the government’s recovery. The Act permits the United States to intervene and take over responsibility for litigating these cases, as the United States did here. The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. Patzer v. Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Sikorsky Support Services, Inc., and Derco Aerospace, Inc., Case No. 11-0560 (E.D. Wis.) and was brought by Mary Patzer, a former employee of Derco.
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.
Assistant United States Attorney Michael Carter of the Eastern District of Wisconsin and Trial Attorneys Alan Gale, Nelson Wagner, and Gary Newkirk of the Fraud Section of the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch handled the matter.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
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New York City Resident Sentenced to Prison for Defrauding Wisconsin Residents in Professional Sports Ticket ScamRead the Press Release
Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on June 12, 2024, Nikhil S. Mahtani (age: 28) of New York, New York, was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for wire fraud.
According to court documents, between approximately January 4, 2019, and December 11, 2022, Mahtani placed over one thousand ads on Craigslist offering high end tickets and luxury box suites to National Football League (NFL), National Basketball Association (NBA), and other professional sporting events around the country. Numerous individuals throughout the Eastern District of Wisconsin were victimized by Mahtani, who accepted thousands of dollars in payments for tickets and suites he knew were not legitimate. In one instance, a large group of friends and family members showed up at Fiserv Forum the night the Milwaukee Bucks won the NBA Championship in 2021, only to be turned away and told they had been scammed. Mahtani is estimated to have received approximately $120,000 from over 100 victims in Wisconsin and across the United States.
At the sentencing hearing, Senior United States District Judge William C. Griesbach noted the serious nature of the crime and the need to deter the defendant and others from engaging in this type of fraud. He rejected Mahtani’s request for probation noting that this was not a “crime of impulse,” but rather a “systematic victimization” of sports fans who had their hearts set on attending a variety of professional sporting events including Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Bucks games.
Mahtani will spend 15 months in prison and was ordered to pay $88,000 in restitution to his victims. He will also spend three years on supervised release.
This case was investigated by the New York Police Department Financial Crimes Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.
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Appleton Woman Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on June 3, 2024, Charlotta A. Belgum (age: 38) of Appleton, Wisconsin, was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison by Senior United States District Judge William C. Griesbach.
According to court records, Belgum created child pornography using a minor child and distributed the child pornography via the internet to an individual in Texas whom she had met in an online fetish forum. The recipient of the child pornography has been arrested and has charges pending in the Eastern District of Wisconsin. Court records further indicate that Belgum also distributed other images of child pornography and engaged in lengthy online conversations centered around the intended sexual abuse of children.
At the sentencing hearing, Judge Griesbach noted that Belgum’s crime was “of great magnitude and despicable” in nature. Judge Griesbach also emphasized the profound impact of the crime on Belgum’s victims. Upon the completion of her twenty-year federal prison sentence, Belgum will spend the remainder of her life on supervised release. She will also have to register as a sex offender under state and federal law.
This case was brought as 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. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), 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.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case was investigated by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Appleton Police Department, with the assistance of the Department of Homeland Security’s Milwaukee and San Antonio Field Offices. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.
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Illinois Resident Charged with Online Crimes Aimed at ChildrenRead the Press Release
Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on May 29, 2024, a federal grand jury returned] an indictment alleging that Terrence E. Fabino (age: 61) of Grayslake, Illinois, engaged in the attempted sexual exploitation of a minor and attempted transfer of obscene matters to a minor in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1470 and 2251(a) and (e).
The indictment alleges that on November 20, 2023, Fabino “knowingly attempted to employ, use, persuade, induce, entice, and coerce a minor” to engage in sexually explicit conduct. It further alleges that on October 26, 2023, Fabino attempted to transfer obscene material to a minor under 16 years of age. Fabino faces a mandatory 15 years’ imprisonment and up to 30 years’ imprisonment if convicted of the enticement charge. He faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment if convicted of the transfer of obscenity charge.
This case was investigated by the Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of the Lake County Illinois Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.
This case was brought as 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. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), 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.projectsafechildhood.gov.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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U.s. Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad Recognizes National Police WeekRead the Press Release
In honor of National Police Week, United States Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad recognizes the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement. The week will be observed Saturday, May 11 through Friday, May 17, 2024.
“As our country recognizes National Police Week, the Justice Department joins families and communities in remembering the members of the law enforcement community who made the ultimate sacrifice protecting the public,” said Attorney General Merrick Garland. “Policing is difficult and dangerous, yet time and time again, law enforcement officers answer the call, showing up for their communities when they are needed the most. Their devotion to duty is matched only by that of their loved ones who make daily sacrifices to support them. The Justice Department is committed to doing everything in our power to help provide our law enforcement partners with the resources they need to carry out their noble work on behalf of the public.”
“Every day, brave men and women across the Eastern District of Wisconsin answer the call to serve and protect our communities as members of federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement,” stated U.S. Attorney Haanstad. “Their task is difficult, dangerous, and critically important. My colleagues and I are incredibly grateful for the sacrifices made by these individuals and their loved ones. Throughout this week, we have been honoring men and women in Wisconsin who have been injured or lost their lives in the line of duty, both in public settings and through private remembrances focused on the specific circumstances of individual officers. We must always remember, honor, and support these officers and their families.”
In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices.
Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.
Each year, during National Police Week, our nation celebrates the contributions of law enforcement from around the country, recognizing their hard work, dedication, loyalty, and commitment to keeping our communities safe.
On Monday, May 13, the names of more than 280 officers killed in the line of duty in 2024 who have been added to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial were read during a Candlelight Vigil. To view a recording of the livestream of this event, visit https://nleomf.org/memorial/programs/national-police-week-2024/candlelight-vigil/.
To learn more about National Police Week and the virtual candlelight vigil, please visit www.policeweek.org.
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Milwaukee Men Sentenced to Federal Prison for Pharmacy Robberies and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on May 2, 2024, four defendants have been sentenced by United States District Judge J.P. Stadtmueller to federal prison terms for their involvement in armed robberies of pharmacies in Milwaukee and other offenses.
According to public court filings, Robert K. Love (age 30) and Theodore D. Smith (age 31) carried out an armed robbery of a pharmacy in Milwaukee on November 3, 2021. Days later, on November 7, 2021, Love, Smith, and Alex M. Rollins (age 31) robbed a second pharmacy in the area. Both robberies involved the brandishing of a handgun, which was used to intimidate, threaten, and physically assault pharmacy staff. The robbers stole significant quantities of controlled substances and then sought to distribute those drugs. A federal grand jury returned indictments against Love, Smith, and Rollins, who all later pleaded guilty.
Smith was sentenced on February 29, 2024, to a 15-year federal prison term. At the time he participated in the November 2021 robberies, Smith was on supervised release following an earlier federal prison term imposed for similar crimes in 2015.
Rollins was sentenced on September 7, 2023, to a 6-year federal prison term.
Love was sentenced on May 2, 2024, to a 14-year prison term, followed by a term of supervised release. In addition to the November 2021 robberies, Love had also carried out thefts of three handguns from federal firearms licensees in October 2021 and had made false statements to law enforcement in November 2022. Love’s co-actor in the handgun thefts, Kenta D. Tittle (age 23), was sentenced to a 22-month prison term.
In announcing each of these defendants’ sentences, Judge Stadtmueller emphasized the seriousness of these crimes and their effect on individual victims and the community at large.
“Pharmcy robberies cause multiple layers of harm, placing the physical safety of others at risk, traumatizing victims, and introducing controlled substances into the community,” said U.S. Attorney Haanstad. “In addition, individuals who are willing to steal firearms and get them into the hands of others through uncontrolled sales similarly pose an unacceptable risk to the safety of the neighborhoods in which we all live and work. I commend everyone who played a role in pursuing justice in these matters.”
“Wisconsin residents should not be forced to live in fear of being a victim of violent crime,” said FBI Milwaukee Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Hensle. “The dedicated women and men of the FBI go to great lengths to apprehend those responsible, and their efforts increase the safety of our citizens in their communities. The FBI will continue to work with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to bring individuals like these to justice,” said Hensle.
“ATF stands alongside our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners, committed to investigating and prosecuting these important cases,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Christopher Amon of the Chicago Field Division. “These sentences send a strong message that we will use every resource at our disposal to hold those accountable for the violence in our community.”
The robbery investigation was handled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Milwaukee Police Department, working as part of the FBI’s Milwaukee Area Violent Crime Task Force.
Love and Tittle’s handgun thefts and related firearms offenses were investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with assistance from the Germantown Police Department.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Farris Martini and Margaret B. Honrath.
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Justice Department Strengthens Efforts, Builds Partnerships to Address the Crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous PersonsRead the Press Release
Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, joins the Department of Justice and our partners across the federal government, as well as people throughout American Indian and Alaska Native communities, in recognizing May 5 as National Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Awareness Day.
In recognition of MMIP Awareness Day, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announced stepped up efforts to tackle the MMIP and human trafficking crisis in American Indian and Alaska Native communities, and other pressing public safety challenges like the fentanyl crisis which have had a disproportionate impact on Native Americans, exacerbating violence and addiction in already vulnerable communities.
“There is still so much more to do in the face of persistently high levels of violence that Tribal communities have endured for generations, and that women and girls, particularly, have endured,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “In carrying out our work, we seek to honor those who are still missing, those who were stolen from their communities, and their loved ones who are left with unimaginable pain. Tribal communities deserve safety, and they deserve justice. This day challenges all of us at the Justice Department to double down on our efforts, and to be true partners with Tribal communities as we seek to end this crisis.”
“The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin is proud to work with all of our partners – federal, state, local, and tribal governments and non-governmental organizations – to do everything possible to prevent and respond to cases of missing or murdered Indigenous people,” said U.S. Attorney Haanstad. “We are committed to pursuing justice for and providing support to victims and their loved ones.”
“The FBI remains unwavering in our pledge to work with our law enforcement partners to address the violence that has disproportionately harmed Tribal communities and families,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “We will continue to prioritize our support of victims and will steadfastly pursue investigations into the crime impacting American Indian and Alaska Native communities.”
“DEA’s top priority is protecting all communities from deadly drugs, like fentanyl, and drug related violent crime,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. “We know that no community has been spared from these deadly threats and we are committed to keeping Tribal communities safe.”
Justice Department Prioritization of MMIP Cases
Last July, the Justice Department announced the creation of the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Regional Outreach Program, which permanently places 10 attorneys and coordinators in five designated regions across the United States to aid in the prevention and response to missing or murdered Indigenous people. The five regions include the Northwest, Southwest, Great Plains, Great Lakes, and Southeast Regions. The MMIP regional program prioritizes MMIP cases consistent with the Deputy Attorney General’s July 2022 directive to U.S. Attorneys’ offices promoting public safety in Indian country.
The program fulfills the Justice Department’s promise to dedicate new personnel to MMIP consistent with Executive Order 14053, Improving Public Safety and Criminal Justice for Native Americans and Addressing the Crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous People, and the Department’s Federal Law Enforcement Strategy to Prevent and respond to Violence Against American Indians and Alaska Natives, Including to Address Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons issued in July 2022.
There are five federally recognized tribes in the Eastern District of Wisconsin, each of which has a unique, vibrant, and rich culture. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has resources, including a Tribal Liaison, dedicated to promoting safety and security on tribal lands and in tribal communities. Information on charged cases can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edwi/pr.
Not Invisible Act Commission Response
The Department’s work to respond to the MMIP crisis is a whole-of-department effort. In March, the Departments of Justice and the Interior released their joint response to the Not Invisible Act Commission’s recommendations on how to combat the MMIP and human trafficking crisis. The NIAC response, announced by Attorney General Garland during a visit to the Crow Nation, recognizes that more must be done across the federal government to resolve this longstanding crisis and support healing from the generational traumas that Indigenous peoples have endured throughout the history of the United States.
Addressing Violent Crime and the Fentanyl Crisis in Indian Country
As noted in the joint response to the NIAC, research suggests that certain public safety challenges faced by many American Indian and Alaska Native communities—including disproportionate violence against women, families, and children; substance abuse; drug trafficking; and labor and sex trafficking—can influence the rates of missing AI/AN persons.
Further, fentanyl poisoning and overdose deaths are the leading cause of opioid deaths throughout the United States, including Indian county, where drug-related overdose death rates for Native Americans exceeds the national rate.
Therefore, federal law enforcement components are ramping up efforts to forge stronger partnerships with federal and Tribal law enforcement partners to address violent crime and the fentanyl crisis, which exposes already vulnerable communities to greater harm.
Accessing Department of Justice Resources
Over the past year, the Department awarded $268 million in grants to help enhance Tribal justice systems and strengthen law enforcement responses. These awards have also gone toward improving the handling of child abuse cases, combating domestic and sexual violence, supporting Tribal youth programs, and strengthening victim services in Tribal communities.
For additional information about the Department of Justice’s efforts to address the MMIP crisis, please visit the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons section of the Tribal Safety and Justice website.
Click here for more information about reporting or identifying missing persons.
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Waukesha Man Sentenced to 30 Years’s Imprisonment for Sex TraffickingRead the Press Release
Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on April 23, 2024, Cornelius M. Jackson (age: 35) of Waukesha, Wisconsin, was sentenced to a term of 30 years’ imprisonment, followed by 10 years of supervised release, after being convicted of four counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking.
In announcing the sentence, United States District Judge Brett Ludwig emphasized that it is “hard to overstate the seriousness” of Jackson’s conduct, describing how Jackson had “manipulated, used violence, and coerced many young women to sell their bodies for the sexual gratification of others” over a period of six years. Judge Ludwig recounted the “mental and physical torture” that Jackson to which subjected his victims, including strangling several of his victims on multiple occasions. He also noted that Jackson’s “real failure to come to grips” with the gravity of his crimes or to take any meaningful responsibility, even at the sentencing hearing, impacted the Court’s sentencing decision.
“The sentence imposed in this case reflects the pervasive and relentless harm Mr. Jackson inflicted on his victims,” said U.S. Attorney Haanstad. “Along with our federal, state, and local partners, we are committed to pursuing justice for Mr. Jackson’s victims, who displayed strength and determination in making sure their stories were heard.”
“Sex trafficking is a horrendous crime, and the FBI is fighting it every day in communities across Wisconsin,” said Milwaukee FBI Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Hensle. “The FBI will continue working side by side with our local and state law enforcement partners to prevent these crimes and bring those responsible like Jackson to justice.”
“Defendants who commit the despicable crime of human trafficking must face severe consequences,” said Attorney General Josh Kaul. “Thank you to the many criminal justice professionals who worked together to secure this sentence and ensure that the public will be protected from the defendant for a long time.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation, with the assistance of the Waukesha Police Department, the Milwaukee Police Department, the Oneida Police Department, and the Ashwaubenon Public Safety Department.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Erica J. Lounsberry and Abbey M. Marzick.
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Marinette County Man Sentenced to 12 years in Federal Prison for Soliciting Sexually Explicit Images of a MinorRead the Press Release
Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on April 24, 2024, David A. Johnson (age: 37) of Marinette County County, Wisconsin, was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison by Senior United States District Judge William C. Griesbach.
According to court records, Johnson used various online media platforms to engage in sexual conversations with minors in Florida and Ohio. He requested explicit visual images from the minors and also sent them explicit images of his genitalia. Independently, each minor contacted law enforcement in their respective states. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arranged to have an undercover agent converse with Johnson online. Johnson believed the agent was a 14-year-old child. Johnson demanded that the “child” send him explicit images. Within days of commencing the investigation, Johnson was taken into custody at his residence in Marinette.
At sentencing, Judge Griesbach noted the extremely serious nature of the crime and commended the bravery of the victims who reported Johnson’s actions. Judge Griesbach found a strong need to protect the public from Johnson. Ultimately, the judge determined that a sentence of 12 years in federal prison was a fair and just sentence. Upon the completion of his prison sentence, Johnson will spend 15 years on supervised release. He will also have to register as a sex offender under state and federal law.
This case was brought as 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. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), 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.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case was investigated by the Green Bay Resident Agency, Milwaukee Division, and the Lima Resident Agency, Cleveland Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Marinette County Sheriff’s Office and the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.
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Milwaukee Man Convicted of Laundering Proceeds of Business Email Compromise Fraud SchemesRead the Press Release
Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that following a bench trial that concluded on April 23, 2024, Chief U.S. District Judge Pamela Pepper found Corey Lee, Sr. (age: 52) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956(h) (Count 1), two counts of concealment money laundering in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956 (Counts 2 and 4), and two counts of engaging in financial transactions with money derived from criminal activity in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1957 (Counts 5 and 6).
The evidence presented at trial established that between May 2018 and approximately July 2019, Lee and his co-conspirators laundered over $1.2 million, which were proceeds of four business email compromise (“BEC”) schemes. A BEC scheme is a form of cybercrime in which a fraudster uses false and misleading emails to fraudulently induce a victim to transfer funds to a bank account controlled by the fraudster and the fraudster’s accomplices.
Four businesses fell victim to the BEC schemes, and the evidence presented at trial revealed that Lee and his co-conspirators laundered those funds by transferring the money between and among various bank accounts they controlled, withdrawing large amounts in cash, and by transferring some of the money to others, in an elaborate effort to disguise the nature, location, source, ownership, and control of the fraud proceeds. Lee and his co-conspirators also used some of the victim funds for their own personal purposes, including vacations and luxury cars.
“Mr. Lee consciously and repeatedly laundered funds he knew were illicitly obtained by others. His actions helped cyber criminals victimize businesses by laundering money that was fraudulently obtained, making it more difficult for the victims and law enforcement to track the money,” said U.S. Attorney Haanstad. “We are committed to working with our federal, state, and local partners to hold everyone involved in these schemes accountable for their actions.”
“This case demonstrates the commitment of IRS Criminal Investigation in unraveling complex financial transactions and money laundering schemes where individuals attempt to conceal the true source of their money, “stated Chicago Field Office Special Agent in Charge Justin Campbell. Lee faces a maximum prison sentence of twenty years each for Counts 1, 2, and 4, and 10-years imprisonment each for Counts 5 and 6.
The case was investigated by the Criminal Investigation Division of the Internal Revenue Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Benjamin Proctor and Peter Smyczek.
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Keshena Man Indicted for Kidnapping, Assault with Intent to Murder, and Strangulation on Menominee Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on April 23, 2024, a federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment charging John V. Miller, Jr. (age: 42), of Keshena, Wisconsin, with kidnapping, assault with intent to murder, and strangulation on the Menominee Indian Reservation.
The indictment charged Miller as follows:
COUNT
DATE
CHARGE
MAXIMUM PENALTY IF CONVICTED
One
On or about March 29, 2024
Kidnapping in Indian Country, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1201(a)(2) and 1153(a)
Up to 20 years in prison, up to $250,000 fine
Two
On or about March 29, 2024
Assault with Intent to Murder, 18 U.S.C. §§ 113(a)(1) and 1153(a)
Up to 20 years in prison, up to $250,000 fine
Three
On or about March 29, 2024
Domestic Assault by Strangulation, 18 U.S.C. § 113(a)(8)
Up to 10 years in prison, up to $250,000 fine
According to filed court documents, on or about March 29, 2024, while at a location on the Menominee Indian Reservation, Miller allegedly strangled a woman with whom he had a prior intimate relationship, attempted to strangle her to the point of unconsciousness, and assaulted her in an attempt to kill her. Miller then allegedly seized and confined her inside the trunk of a vehicle to conceal his actions.
The Menominee Tribal Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Maier will prosecute the case in U.S. District Court in Green Bay.
An indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Colombian National Extradited to Face International Narcotics-Trafficking Conspiracy ChargeRead the Press Release
Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced the extradition of Gabriel Zuñiga (a/k/a “Ito,” a/k/a “Hito,” “Captain Ito,” a/k/a “Capi”) from Colombia based on a superseding indictment returned in the Eastern District of Wisconsin. On April 11, 2024, Zuñiga had his initial appearance and arraignment before U.S. Magistrate Judge William E. Duffin in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. On April 15, 2024, Judge Duffin ordered that Zuñiga be detained pending trial.
On November 8, 2022, a grand jury in the Eastern District of Wisconsin returned a superseding indictment against Zuñiga, alleging one count of international drug trafficking. According to the superseding indictment, from approximately February 2019 through March 22, 2022, Zuñiga conspired with Jean Eliobert Jasme (a/k/a “ED1,” “Eddy One,” and “Tio Loco”), Rafael Dario Gonzalez-Amparo (a/k/a “Rafa,” a/k/a “Sisi”), and others to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine intending, knowing, or having reasonable cause to believe the cocaine would be unlawfully imported into the United States.
The DEA Port-au-Prince Country Office and the DEA Milwaukee Field Office investigated this case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the Colombian government, including the Colombian National Police (CNP), and the U.S. Marshals Service, provided substantial assistance in this matter.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert J. Brady, Jr. and Gail J. Hoffman of the Eastern District of Wisconsin are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and a defendant is presumed innocent until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Dominican Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison as Member of Maritime Cocaine-Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on April 11, 2024, Herlin Hernandez-Trinidad, a/k/a “Rainely” (age: 29) of Miches, Dominican Republic, pled guilty to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine on board a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, in violation of Title 46, United States Code, Section 70506(b). He was sentenced that same day to 10 years in federal prison by Chief U.S. District Judge Pamela Pepper.
According to court documents, beginning around January 2019 and continuing through August 2020, Hernandez-Trinidad and others coordinated maritime shipments of bulk quantities of cocaine from the Dominican Republic to Puerto Rico. Once the cocaine arrived in Puerto Rico, Hernandez-Trinidad distributed it to individuals like David Quinones-Quinones (a/k/a “Davo”), a Puerto Rico-based kilogram-quantity cocaine trafficker, who supplied individuals responsible for sending cocaine to various locations within the continental United States, including Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Court documents further reveal that Hernandez-Trinidad received maritime shipments of cocaine from the Dominican Republic. On one occasion, Hernandez-Trinidad facilitated a 300-kilogram cocaine shipment from the Dominican Republic to Puerto Rico. Hernandez-Trinidad was also linked to a maritime cocaine load seized by law enforcement on December 10, 2019. On that date, federal and local authorities interdicted a boat with Dominican nationals carrying 181 kilograms of cocaine near the shoreline of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.
At sentencing, the Chief Judge noted that a significant sentence was necessary to reflect the significant quantity of drugs that were involved in the conspiracy.
“The sentence in this case is a direct result of excellent collaboration between federal, state, and local law enforcement,” stated U.S. Attorney Haanstad. “I commend the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in investigating and prosecuting this conspiracy.”
This prosecution is the product of a multi-year investigation led by law enforcement agents and officers from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the North Central High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigations, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Milwaukee Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. Brady, Jr. and Assistant United States Attorney Gail Hoffman prosecuted the case.
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San Antonio Man Indicted on Federal Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on April 9, 2024, a federal grand jury indicted Bobby E. Matjeka (age: 44) of San Antonio, Texas, on charges that he conspired with a Wisconsin resident to produce child pornography, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2251(a)&(e).
According to the indictment, between approximately December 10, 2021, and May 2022, Matjeka conspired to use a minor child “to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction.” That visual depiction was then transported across state lines. If convicted, Matjeka faces a mandatory 15 years’ imprisonment and up to 30 years’ imprisonment. He also could be fined up to $250,000 and would be required to register as a sex offender under state and federal law.
Matjeka was arrested by federal authorities in San Antonio on April 10, 2024, and will be arraigned before the federal district court in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security’s San Antonio and Milwaukee offices, the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation, the Appleton Police Department, and the San Antonio Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.
This case was brought as 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. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), 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.projectsafechildhood.gov.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Oshkosh Sex Offender Indicted on Federal Child Pornography Charges.Read the Press Release
Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on April 9, 2024, a federal grand jury indicted Dakota J. DeGroot (age: 27) of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, for possessing child pornography as a repeat offender in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2252A(a)(5)(B) and 2252A(b)(2). The indictment alleges that DeGroot possessed electronic files containing child pornography on or about January 18, 2024.
DeGroot was previously convicted of possessing child pornography in Winnebago County Circuit Court in 2016. As a repeat offender, upon conviction of the offense alleged in the federal indictment, DeGroot would face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to 20 years in federal prison. He also could be fined up to $250,000 and would continue to be obligated to register as a sex offender under state and federal law.
This case was investigated by the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office and the Wisconsin Department of Corrections – Division of Community Corrections. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.
This case was brought as 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. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), 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.projectsafechildhood.gov.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Green Bay Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Dealing Fentanyl Resulting in Death and Possessing a Firearm as a Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on April 9, 2024, U.S. Senior District Judge William C. Griesbach sentenced a Green Bay man, Keenan J. Denruyter (age: 32), to 25 years in prison after he pled guilty to Distributing Fentanyl Resulting in Death, Possessing Fentanyl With Intent to Distribute, and Possessing a Firearm and Ammunition as a convicted felon, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841, and Title 18, United States Code, Section 922.
Court records indicate that in June and July 2023, Denruyter repeatedly distributed counterfeit Percocet® “M30” pills containing fentanyl, resulting in the overdose deaths of two Green Bay females aged 17 and 18. Denruyter was on extended supervision at the time, having been released from state prison for felony cocaine delivery. As part of an ongoing investigation, the Brown County Drug Task Force (BCDTF) made controlled buys during which Denruyter sold fentanyl pills to an informant. BCDTF arrested Denruyter, finding hundreds of additional M30 pills and a loaded pistol. BCDTF’s investigation continued, leading to evidence connecting Denruyter to the two overdose deaths.
In sentencing Denruyter, Judge Griesbach emphasized that trafficking fentanyl is distributing “poison.” The judge considered nationwide data that 7 in 10 counterfeit pills tested at Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Crime Labs contain a lethal dose of fentanyl, that fentanyl is the leading cause of death for 18- to 45-year-olds, and that synthetic opiates like fentanyl cause over 73,000 deaths annually in the U.S.—equal to 200 deaths per day.
“Fentanyl continues to cut a devastating swath through families and communities across the country,” said U.S. Attorney Haanstad. “Individuals who distribute this deadly poison choose to gamble with the lives of others simply to put a few extra dollars in their own pockets. I commend the hard work of the Brown County Drug Task Force and all of our federal, state, local, and tribal partners who remain committed to working together to hold individuals like Mr. Denruyter accountable for their deadly and callous actions.”
“This long federal prison sentence sends a strong message that law enforcement will not tolerate firearm violence or drug trafficking in our community,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Christopher Amon of the Chicago Field Division. “I commend the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, the DEA and the Brown County Drug Task Force for their commitment in investigating and prosecuting this important case.”
“Far too many lives have been lost across Wisconsin from fentanyl poisonings, and the DEA will continue working with our state, local and federal partners to hold drug traffickers accountable for the harm they inflict upon our communities,” said DEA Special Agent, Sheila Lyons Chicago Field Office.
Brown County Sheriff Todd J. Delain said, “The Brown County Drug Task Force is grateful for our ongoing partnership and collaboration with the United States Attorney’s Office – Eastern District of Wisconsin, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to hold those who distribute dangerous drugs accountable for their actions. The distribution of dangerous drugs, like fentanyl, has led to an overall decay of society and all too often death of people who are addicted or using these dangerous drugs. We will continue to work hard for the people of Northeast Wisconsin by relentlessly pursuing and arresting those that present a serious threat to our community!”
According to the DEA, illicit fentanyl remains the deadliest drug threat facing this country. It is a highly addictive synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. Just two milligrams of fentanyl—the amount that fits on the tip of a pencil—is considered a potentially deadly dose. The Sinaloa Cartel and Jalisco Cartel in Mexico, using chemicals largely sourced from China, are primarily responsible for most of the fentanyl that is being trafficked in communities across the United States.
This case was investigated by the Brown County Drug Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
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Green Bay Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Dealing Fentanyl Resulting in Death and Possessing a Firearm as a Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on April 9, 2024, U.S. Senior District Judge William C. Griesbach sentenced a Green Bay man, Keenan J. Denruyter (age: 32), to 25 years in prison after he pled guilty to Distributing Fentanyl Resulting in Death, Possessing Fentanyl With Intent to Distribute, and Possessing a Firearm and Ammunition as a convicted felon, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841, and Title 18, United States Code, Section 922.
Court records indicate that in June and July 2023, Denruyter repeatedly distributed counterfeit Percocet® “M30” pills containing fentanyl, resulting in the overdose deaths of two Green Bay females aged 17 and 18. Denruyter was on extended supervision at the time, having been released from state prison for felony cocaine delivery. As part of an ongoing investigation, the Brown County Drug Task Force (BCDTF) made controlled buys during which Denruyter sold fentanyl pills to an informant. BCDTF arrested Denruyter, finding hundreds of additional M30 pills and a loaded pistol. BCDTF’s investigation continued, leading to evidence connecting Denruyter to the two overdose deaths.
In sentencing Denruyter, Judge Griesbach emphasized that trafficking fentanyl is distributing “poison.” The judge considered nationwide data that 7 in 10 counterfeit pills tested at DEA Crime Labs contain a lethal dose of fentanyl, that fentanyl is the leading cause of death for 18- to 45-year-olds, and that synthetic opiates like fentanyl cause over 73,000 deaths annually in the U.S.—equal to 200 deaths per day.
“Fentanyl continues to cut a devastating swath through families and communities across the country,” said U.S. Attorney Haanstad. “Individuals who distribute this deadly poison choose to gamble with the lives of others simply to put a few extra dollars in their own pockets. I commend the hard work of the Brown County Drug Task Force and all of our federal, state, local, and tribal partners who remain committed to working together to hold individuals like Mr. Denruyter accountable for their deadly and callous actions.”
“This long federal prison sentence sends a strong message that law enforcement will not tolerate firearm violence or drug trafficking in our community,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Christpher Amon of the Chicago Field Division. “I commend the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, the DEA and the Brown County Drug Task Force for their commitment in investigating and prosecuting this important case.”
Brown County Sheriff Todd J. Delain said, “The Brown County Drug Task Force is grateful for our ongoing partnership and collaboration with the United States Attorney’s Office – Eastern District of Wisconsin, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to hold those who distribute dangerous drugs accountable for their actions. The distribution of dangerous drugs, like fentanyl, has led to an overall decay of society and all too often death of people who are addicted or using these dangerous drugs. We will continue to work hard for the people of Northeast Wisconsin by relentlessly pursuing and arresting those that present a serious threat to our community!”
According to the DEA, illicit fentanyl remains the deadliest drug threat facing this country. It is a highly addictive synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. Just two milligrams of fentanyl—the amount that fits on the tip of a pencil—is considered a potentially deadly dose. The Sinaloa Cartel and Jalisco Cartel in Mexico, using chemicals largely sourced from China, are primarily responsible for most of the fentanyl that is being trafficked in communities across the United States.
This case was investigated by the Brown County Drug Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
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Previously Convicted Sex Offender Indicted for Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a MinorRead the Press Release
Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on April 9, 2024, a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment against David J. Fuchs (age: 40) of Janesville, Wisconsin.
According to a criminal complaint filed earlier in the case, Fuchs engaged in a conversation with an undercover law enforcement officer from the Outagamie County Sheriff’s Office, who was posing online as a 12-year-old girl. During the conversation, Fuchs repeatedly described his desire to have sex with the child, sending multiple explicit photographs of himself and requesting explicit photographs from the undercover officer. Fuchs explained to the undercover officer, in explicit terms, how he intended to “teach” the young girl how to have sexual intercourse. During many of the sexually explicit conversations, Fuchs expressed his belief that the 12-year-old girl was in school. He planned to meet the girl at a travel plaza near Madison, Wisconsin, and he promised to bring her art supplies.
On March 15, 2024, Fuchs arrived at the travel plaza and was placed under arrest by U.S. Marshals. In his truck, officers located art supplies and a marijuana pipe.
Fuchs is a registered sex offender, having prior convictions in Wisconsin Circuit Court for attempted second degree sexual assault of a child and sexual assault of an intoxicated victim. Court records indicate that he had been released from state prison in approximately April 2022 and was on supervision at the time of the offenses alleged in the federal indictment. In addition to the Outagamie County Sheriff’s Office undercover officer, Fuchs was also communicating with undercover officers from the Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Office and the Madison Police Department, who Fuchs believed to be underage girls.
Fuchs faces charges alleging that he attempted to sexually exploit a minor and persuade that minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct, contrary to Title 18, United States Code, Section 2251(a). He faces an additional charge of committing a felony offense involving a minor as an individual required to register as a sex offender, contrary to Title 18, United States Code, Section 2260A.
If convicted of the charges, Fuchs faces a mandatory minimum of 25 years in federal prison.
This case was investigated by the Outagamie County Sheriff’s Office, the Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Office, and the Madison Police Department, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alexander E. Duros.
This case was brought as 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. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), 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.projectsafechildhood.gov.
An indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Justice Department to Monitor Polls in Wisconsin for Compliance with Federal Voting Rights LawsRead the Press Release
The Justice Department has announced that it is monitoring today’s election in the City of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to ensure compliance with federal voting rights laws.
The Civil Rights Division enforces the federal voting rights laws that protect the rights of all citizens to access the ballot. The division regularly deploys its staff to monitor for compliance with the federal civil rights laws in elections in communities all across the country. In addition, the division also deploys federal observers from the Office of Personnel Management, where authorized by federal court order.
The Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section enforces the civil provisions of federal statutes that protect the right to vote, including the Voting Rights Act, the National Voter Registration Act, the Help America Vote Act, the Civil Rights Acts and the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.
More information about the Voting Rights Act and other federal voting laws is available on the Justice Department’s website at www.justice.gov/crt/voting-section.
Complaints about possible violations of federal voting rights laws can be submitted through the Civil Rights Division’s website at civilrights.justice.gov or by telephone at 1-800-253-3931.
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testRead the Press Release
Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that Merwin J. “Pete” Wynos (age: 36), a former resident of Keshena and enrolled member of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, received a sentence of 30 months following a conviction for theft in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 661 and 1153(a).
The sentence, imposed on March 20, 2024, by Senior United States District Judge William C. Griesbach, was the result of a guilty plea entered by the defendant on January 16, 2024. Wynos will also face three years of supervised release once he completes his sentence.
On September 25, 2023, several companies reported thefts of equipment from the site of the new Menominee Indian High School in Keshena. The resulting investigation by the Menominee Tribal Police Department and Menominee County Sheriff’s Office led to Wynos, who was found to have entered the closed, fenced, and locked construction site during nighttime hours. Wynos used a utility vehicle on the site to transport construction tools and electronics he took from construction trailers to his residence. Wynos attempted to sell some of the items at local pawn shops, which reported their suspicions to the police. Wynos was arrested after being caught with others in a car full of stolen construction tools and, after being released from tribal custody, entered the construction site again on November 25, 2023. Wynos was caught on the site in the middle of taking additional items and was re-arrested. Wynos admitted in court to being responsible for three separate theft incidents on the construction site and will pay over $29,000 in restitution to the victims.
In sentencing the defendant, Judge Griesbach noted the need to punish Wynos for the persistent nature of his crimes. Judge Griesbach said “Stealing from hard working people, especially those building a new school that will help your community, shows a persistent willingness to violate the law” requiring punishment. Judge Griesbach noted the need to show the community that there is a punishment for this sort of behavior.
The Menominee Tribal Police Department, Menominee County Sheriff’s Office, and Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Maier prosecuted the case in U.S. District Court in Green Bay.
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Thefts on Menominee Indian Reservation Result in Prison Sentence for Keshena ManRead the Press Release
Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that Merwin J. “Pete” Wynos (age: 36), a former resident of Keshena and an enrolled member of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, received a sentence of 30 months in federal prison following a conviction for theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 661 and 1153(a).
The sentence, imposed on March 20, 2024, by Senior United States District Judge William C. Griesbach, was the result of a guilty plea entered by the defendant on January 16, 2024. Wynos will also face three years of supervised release once he completes his sentence.
According to court records, on September 25, 2023, several companies reported thefts of equipment from the site of the new Menominee Indian High School in Keshena. Investigators for the Menominee Tribal Police Department and Menominee County Sheriff’s Office discovered that Wynos had entered the closed, fenced, and locked construction site during nighttime hours. Wynos used a utility vehicle on the site to transport construction tools and electronics that he took from construction trailers to his residence. Wynos attempted to sell some of the items at local pawn shops, which reported their suspicions to the police. Wynos was arrested after being caught with others in a car full of stolen construction tools and, after being released from tribal custody, entered the construction site again on November 25, 2023. Wynos was caught on the site taking additional items and was re-arrested. Wynos admitted in court to being responsible for three separate theft incidents on the construction site and will pay over $29,000 in restitution to the victims.
At sentencing, Judge Griesbach noted the need to punish Wynos for the persistent nature of his crimes. Judge Griesbach said, “Stealing from hard working people, especially those building a new school that will help your community, shows a persistent willingness to violate the law.” Judge Griesbach also described the need to show the community that there is a punishment for this sort of behavior.
The Menominee Tribal Police Department, Menominee County Sheriff’s Office, and Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Maier prosecuted the case in U.S. District Court in Green Bay.
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