Eastern District of Wisconsin
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Muskego Man Sentenced to Eight Years in Federal Prison for Child Exploitation CrimesRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on August 26, 2026, Justin D. Kagerbauer (age 47) of Muskego, Wisconsin, was sentenced to a total of eight years in federal prison.
Kagerbauer pled guilty to two federal felonies: (1) attempted interstate or foreign travel with the intent to engage in a sexual act with a minor, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2423(b); and (2) distribution of child pornography, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252A(a)(2)(A).
According to court documents, from March 2025 through late November 2025, Kagerbauer communicated with an individual in the United Kingdom (“UK”), expressing an intent to travel to the UK to sexually assault a nine-year-old female child. During his online communications, Kagerbauer also distributed a video depicting CSAM (child sexual abuse material). Unbeknownst to Kagerbauer, the individual with whom he was communicating was actually an undercover law enforcement agent.
Following his term of imprisonment, Kagerbauer will also spend five years on supervised release.
“We are blessed that there are highly skilled and tenacious law enforcement agents and prosecutors who work to catch child sex offenders, sometimes, as in this case, before they get their hands on a child,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Schimel. “We have no higher priority than protecting children, and I’m proud of our law enforcement who work tirelessly to catch and convict these dangerous predators.”
“This case demonstrates exactly why HSI aggressively pursues child predators across international borders and online platforms,” said Homeland Security Investigations Chicago Special Agent in Charge Matthew Scarpino. “Kagerbauer believed he was making arrangements to sexually assault a nine-year-old child, but instead he was exposed by skilled law enforcement work and brought to justice. Today’s outcome underscores HSI’s commitment to target predators and protect vulnerable children.”
This case was investigated by law enforcement in the United Kingdom and Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Assistant United States Attorney Abbey M. Marzick prosecuted the case.
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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For further information contact:Public Affairs Officer Steve Caballero
(414) 297-1700
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Indiana Man Charged with Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Child Following Undercover InvestigationRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on August 25, 2026, a federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment charging Christopher L. Guinn (age 50), of South Bend, Indiana, with attempted sexual exploitation of a child.
According to the indictment and the underlying criminal complaint, Guinn engaged in online communications with an undercover law enforcement officer whom he believed to be a 12-year-old girl. During these communications, Guinn sent the undercover officer multiple sexually explicit videos and solicited sexually explicit images and videos in return. The investigation further determined that Guinn possessed child sexual abuse material and has attempted to sexually exploit multiple minors across the United States.
Guinn was arrested in South Bend on August 5, 2026, and was ordered detained by a Magistrate Judge in the Northern District of Indiana. He is currently being transported to the Eastern District of Wisconsin to face the federal charge. The offense carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years imprisonment and a maximum of 30 years imprisonment.
This case was investigated by the Outagamie County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation – Green Bay Resident Office, the Wisconsin Department of Justice ICAC Task Force, the St. Joseph’s County Sheriff’s Office, the Indiana State Police ICAC Task Force, the United States Marshals Service – Great Lakes Fugitive Task Force, and Homeland Security Investigations.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative led by the U.S. Department of Justice 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 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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For further information contact:Public Affairs Officer Steve Caballero
(414) 297-1700
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Milwaukee Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Sex Trafficking and Arson OffenseRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on August 18, 2026, Bobby McNeil (age 46) was sentenced to a total of 30 years’ imprisonment.
McNeil was convicted at trial of five felony counts: Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud, or Coercion; Arson in Furtherance of a Federal Felony; Arson of a Building/Rental Property; Interstate Transportation for the Purpose of Prostitution; and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon. The evidence presented at trial established that between 2021 and 2022, McNeil used force, threats of force, fraud, and coercion to compel an adult female victim to engage in commercial sex acts on the south side of Milwaukee. Further evidence showed that McNeil committed a retaliatory act of arson by throwing a Molotov cocktail into the home of another adult who attempted to help the trafficking victim escape from McNeil.
Following his term of imprisonment, McNeil will also spend five years on supervised release. He was also ordered to pay restitution.
At the sentencing McNeil, United States District Court Judge Lynn Adelman stated that McNeil’s abuse of the victim was “extreme and borderline sadistic.” Judge Adelman also stated that McNeil’s prior record is “rife with violence, especially against women” and that the sentence “is necessary to protect the public from [McNeil’s] violent and predatory behavior.”
“McNeil is a dangerous and violent individual who preyed upon and exploited another human being for his own profit. His utter cruelty and willingness to use violence to control his victim make clear that he poses a serious danger to the community” said Attorney Schimel. “The 30-year sentence is well deserved, and the appropriate place for McNeil is in federal prison.”
“ATF’s investigative team brought certified fire investigation and firearms expertise to this case, helping hold McNeil accountable for weaponizing fire as retaliation and illegally possessing a firearm,” said ATF Acting Special Agent in Charge Matthew Olson, of the St. Paul Field Division. “Thirty years in federal prison is a significant sentence that reflects the severity of his crimes and the danger he posed to the community. We appreciate the dedication and partnership of the Milwaukee Police Department, FBI, and U.S. Attorney’s Office in achieving justice in this case.”
"The FBI worked alongside our partners to provide investigative tools which assisted in the conviction and lengthy sentencing of Bobby McNeil who terrorized his victims,” said FBI Milwaukee Special Agent in Charge Alan Karr. "The FBI is committed to pursuing justice for victims of human trafficking through our continued collaboration with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners.”
“Today’s sentence holds a violent and predatory individual accountable for his actions and brings justice to the victim,” said Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman. “No one should have to endure the abuse and exploitation suffered in this case. I am proud of the dedication and collaboration of our law enforcement partners in holding McNeil accountable and working to keep our community safe.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated the case, with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Milwaukee Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Abbey Marzick and Porchia Lewand prosecuted the case.
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Public Affairs Officer Steve Caballero
(414) 297-1700
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Manitowoc Resident Indicted on Child Obscenity and Commission of a Felony Sex Offense by a Registered Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on August 11, 2026, Maurilio Mares (age 19) of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, was indicted on two counts of Obscene Visual Depictions of the Sexual Abuse of Children, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1466A, and two counts of Commission of a Felony Sex Offense by an Individual Required to Register as a Sexual Offender in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2260A.
The indictment alleges that the violations occurred on two separate dates in May 2026. If convicted of either child obscenity offense, Mares faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment and up to 40 years’ imprisonment. If convicted of committing a new criminal offense against a child while required to register as a sex offender, the defendant must be given a mandatory 10 years’ imprisonment, consecutive to any other sentence. He may also be fined up to $250,000 and must serve a term of supervised release ranging from five years to life.
This case was investigated by the City of Manitowoc Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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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For further information contact:Public Affairs Officer Steve Caballero
(414) 297-1700
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Milwaukee County Man Sentenced to 18 Months in Federal Prison for Wire Fraud Involving Government Benefit ProgramsRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on July 31, 2026, United States District Judge J.P. Stadtmueller sentenced Antonio Franklin (age 47) to 18 months' imprisonment for wire fraud.
According to court filings, Franklin received benefits from three government programs: Title XVI disability benefits from the United States Social Security Administration; Wisconsin Supplemental Security Income from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services; and "I Respect, I Self-Direct" (IRIS) benefits, also administered by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Collectively, these programs are designed to assist individuals with disabilities and limited financial means in obtaining necessary food, shelter, and personal care services.
Franklin admitted that, during a scheme spanning from January 2020 through March 2025, he failed to disclose information to the government that would have affected his eligibility for these three programs. Specifically, Franklin admitted that he owned a bank account that he failed to disclose and that more than $1 million flowed through that account during the same period. Over the course of the more than five-year scheme, Franklin fraudulently received nearly $300,000 in government benefits to which he was not entitled.
At the sentencing hearing, Judge Stadtmueller emphasized the need to deter others from fraudulently obtaining government benefits by concealing evidence of income or assets. In addition to the prison sentence, the court ordered Franklin to pay restitution in the amount of the benefits he unlawfully received.
“The people of the United States are fed up with being fleeced by fraudsters. Federal law enforcement authorities have no higher priority that uncovering and stopping fraud and incarcerating those who commit it,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad Schimel. “If you steal from the taxpayers, we are coming to lock you up, especially when the money is taken from programs designed to help our neighbors most in need of help.”
“The sentencing in this case demonstrates the serious consequences of committing fraud against SSA’s benefit programs designed to help those in need,” said Charles Briscoe, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge, Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General (SSA OIG), Midwestern CDI Division. “This investigation exemplifies how SSA OIG works closely with the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation and U.S. Attorney’s Office to protect the integrity of Social Security programs and pursue justice against those who seek to undermine them.”
“Defrauding government benefits programs is unacceptable,” said AG Kaul. “Thank you to those who secured the conviction and sentence in this case.”
This case was investigated by the U.S. Social Security Administration Cooperative Disability Investigations Unit (CDIU) - Milwaukee and the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation and Medicaid Fraud Control and Elder Abuse Unit. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carter B. Stewart.
On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
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For further information contact:
Public Affairs Officer Steve Caballero
(414) 297-1700
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Illinois Man Sentenced to 15 Months in Prison for Failing to Pay Employment TaxesRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on July 30, 2026, United States District Judge J.P. Stadtmueller sentenced George Dilles (age 55) of Inverness, Illinois, to 15 months in prison. Dilles had pled guilty to one count of failure to truthfully account for and pay employment taxes to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), in violation of 26 U.S.C. § 7202.
According to court records, Dilles was the president and part-owner of NG Enterprises, Inc. (d.b.a. Visiting Angels), a company that provided elderly home personal care in the Milwaukee area and employed from 50 to 110 workers. Dilles was required to withhold federal income taxes, Social Security taxes, and Medicare taxes from his employees’ wages, hold those amounts in trust, and pay them over to the IRS. Additionally, he was responsible for filing quarterly tax returns (Forms 941) reporting those amounts to the IRS, and for paying the employer’s matching portion of Social Security and Medicare taxes.
For 17 quarters from 2019 through 2023, Dilles willfully failed to file employment tax returns and pay over taxes to the IRS of more than $1.2 million. Dilles used some of the funds on personal expenses, including mortgage payments and purchases of a Maserati and a McLaren. He also used employment tax returns, which he had not filed with the IRS, to obtain a Paycheck Protection Program loan in the amount of $312,500.
At the sentencing hearing, Judge Stadtmueller emphasized the serious nature of Dilles’ conduct, the substantial loss to the IRS, and the need to provide adequate deterrence to others who might engage in similar conduct. He also ordered Dilles to pay more than $1.2 million in restitution and to serve three years of supervised release.
“This was not a mistake or oversight. The defendant was alerted by his accounting firm repeatedly that he needed to submit these tax payments but ignored the warnings and used the money to finance a luxurious lifestyle,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Schimel. “As Judge Stadtmueller observed, there is an important message sent by this prison sentence that hopefully will deter others from considering engaging in illegal conduct such as this.”
“Failure to pay over withheld payroll taxes is a serious criminal offense because it harms employees by jeopardizing their Social Security and Medicare benefits,” said Adam Jobes Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Field Office. “Employers have a clear duty to withhold these taxes and remit them to the IRS, and IRS Criminal Investigation will continue to pursue anyone who collects these funds and fails to pay them over.”
Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. Scully prosecuted.
On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
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For further information contact:
Public Affairs Officer Steve Caballero
(414) 297-1700
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Manitowoc Man Sentenced to 7 Years’ Imprisonment for Transportation of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on July 28, 2026, Zachariah R. Breihof (age 28), of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Byron B. Conway to 84 months' imprisonment after pleading guilty to one count of Transportation of Child Pornography, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252A(a)(1).
According to court documents, in January 2025, the defendant was the subject of a CyberTip indicating that he had uploaded approximately 130 images of child pornography to a popular cloud storage platform. Law enforcement investigated further and subsequently executed a search warrant at Breihof's residence. A review of the defendant's electronic devices revealed more than 28,000 files containing suspected child pornography and an additional 5,000 files were identified as "high-risk" child pornography.
Judge Conway described the defendant's crime as extremely serious and noted that the types of images possessed and transported by Breihof are "reviled by every culture." He further stated that Breihof exhibits "impulse problems" and emphasized the need to protect the public and deter similar conduct in the future. Following his seven-year prison sentence, the defendant will serve 10 years of supervised release. He will also be required to register as a sex offender under state and federal law.
“Every image of child pornography is a graphic memorialization of a child being abused,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Schimel. “The abuse of children to create these images is driven by the demand from those who seek and view these materials. We have no higher priority than protecting our children, and Federal, state and local authorities will continue to aggressively pursue and lock up those who traffic in this vile trade.”
"Crimes against children remain one of the highest priorities for the Manitowoc Police Department,” said Manitowoc Police Chief John R. Musial II. “I am incredibly grateful for the dedicated members of our department who possess the skill, compassion, and professionalism to thoroughly investigate these difficult cases and seek justice on behalf of vulnerable victims.
I also want to extend my sincere appreciation to the United States Attorney’s Office for its steadfast partnership and commitment to protecting children, supporting victims, and aggressively prosecuting those who exploit our most vulnerable. Holding offenders accountable requires strong collaboration between local and federal law enforcement, and that partnership plays a vital role in making our communities safer. Thank you for your exceptional service and unwavering dedication to the pursuit of justice.”
This case was investigated by the Manitowoc Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the U.S. Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. 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.
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For further information contact:Public Affairs Officer Steve Caballero
(414) 297-1700
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Indian National Sentenced to 48 Months’ Imprisonment for Conspiracy to Commit Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on July 27, 2026, United States District Judge Brett Ludwig sentenced Roshan Shah, (age 22) to 48 months' imprisonment for conspiring to commit money laundering.
According to court records, Shah is a citizen of India who was attending college in Canada on a student visa. He entered the United States on a visitor visa to collect fraud proceeds. Co-conspirators in India called victims and convinced them that their identities had been used to commit crimes. The victims were led to believe they had to surrender cash or gold to a federal agent, impersonated by Shah, for safekeeping.
In total, Shah collected more than $3.7 million from 15 victims throughout the United States. He was arrested while attempting to collect what he believed to be fraud proceeds in New Berlin, Wisconsin, using the same fraudulent scheme.
At sentencing, Judge Ludwig emphasized the seriousness of Shah's misconduct and the devastating impact his actions had on the largely elderly and vulnerable victims.
"This case highlights the danger faced by Americans from fraudsters both here and overseas," said First Assistant Brad Schimel. "This conviction and sentence are the result of the intensive efforts of federal law enforcement working closely with the U.S. Attorney's Office to combat the scourge of fraud targeting our seniors. This case should serve as a reminder that we will continue to devote substantial resources to fighting fraud, holding scammers accountable, and protecting Americans from these schemes."
“Homeland Security Investigations remains steadfast in our commitment to protecting the American public from transnational fraud schemes that target our most vulnerable citizens,” said HSI Wisconsin Assistant Special Agent in Charge Eric Rice. “This case demonstrates the impact of coordinated law enforcement efforts to disrupt criminal networks that prey on victims across borders. We will continue to work with our partners to identify, investigate, and bring to justice those who seek to exploit and defraud members of our communities.”
This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, and the New Berlin Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Zachary Corey and Peter Smyczek.
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For further information contact:
Public Affairs Officer Steve Caballero
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Follow us on XOzaukee Country Club Agrees to Pay $750,000 to Settle Alleged False Claims Act Violations regarding Paycheck Protection Program LoanRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced a settlement with Ozaukee Country Club, whereby the club has paid $750,000.00 to settle claims that it improperly obtained a loan through the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), administered by the United States Small Business Administration (“SBA”).
The PPP loan program, enacted in March 2020, provided emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The program allowed eligible small businesses and nonprofits to receive loans guaranteed by the federal government and, if the borrower spent the funds on qualified expenses, the federal government would repay the loan on the borrower’s behalf.
Congress directed the SBA to guarantee PPP loans “under the same terms, conditions, and processes” as ordinary small business loans administered by the agency. 15 U.S.C. § 636(a)(36)(B). With respect to loan eligibility, Congress expressly endorsed the SBA’s regulation explaining which entities would be ineligible for loans. 15 U.S.C. § 636(a)(37)(A)(iv)(III)(aa). For decades, this regulation has explained that “[p]rivate clubs and businesses which limit the number of memberships for reasons other than capacity” are not eligible for loans through the SBA. 13 C.F.R. § 120.110(i).
Ozaukee Country Club operates a private country club in Mequon, Wisconsin, which is open only to its members. To become a member of Ozaukee Country Club, nominees must be sponsored by current members, undergo various background-check procedures, and be approved by the club’s board of directors. Thus, according to the government, at the time Ozaukee Country Club applied for a PPP loan and for loan forgiveness, the club limited its membership for reasons other than capacity and was ineligible to participate in the PPP.
“Although our criminal division receives most of the high-profile attention, the U.S. Attorney’s Office also has an outstanding civil division,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad Schimel. “I am very proud of the excellent work our civil division did on this case and countless others to protect the interests of the United States and its citizens.”
“The favorable settlement in this case is the product of enhanced efforts by federal agencies such as the Small Business Administration working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and other federal law enforcement agencies to recover the product of this fraud as well as penalties,” said SBA General Counsel Wendell Davis.
Assistant United States Attorney Aaron R. Wegrzyn represented the government in connection with this matter, in coordination with Kandace Zelaya in the SBA’s Office of Litigation and Office of General Counsel. While the settlement resolves the government’s allegations against Ozaukee Country Club with respect to its PPP loan, the club does not admit liability and no court has made any determination as to liability.
In addition, on April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
# # #For further information contact:
Public Affairs Officer Steve Caballero
(414) 297-1700
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Former Milwaukee County Judge Sentenced for ObstructionRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on July 8, 2026, United States District Judge Lynn Adelman sentenced Hannah Dugan to pay a $5,000 fine for endeavoring to obstruct a pending proceeding before the United States Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”). The sentence came after a federal jury found Dugan guilty of that felony offense following a four-day trial in December 2025.
The trial evidence established the following: On April 18, 2025, six members of the DHS, Immigration Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations (“ICE ERO”) Task Force arrived at the Milwaukee County Courthouse to arrest Eduardo Flores-Ruiz. Flores-Ruiz was charged with three domestic-violence related misdemeanors and was scheduled to appear in front of then Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Dugan. Flores-Ruiz was also previously removed from the United States and was in the country illegally. The ICE ERO task force officers had a lawful administrative warrant for his arrest, which directed that he be taken into custody for immigration proceedings. The task force officers intended to arrest Flores-Ruiz in the public hallway after his hearing, communicated the same to Dugan’s courtroom deputy prior to Dugan’s arrival, and identified themselves to courthouse security. They then waited quietly and unobtrusively in the public hallway. They were wearing plain clothes and were not wearing masks.
The trial evidence further established that when Dugan learned that federal agents were in the public hallway, she left her courtroom, directed another judge to leave her robe on and accompany her to the public hallway, and confronted five federal agents most of whom were sitting on public benches. She told one agent that an administrative warrant was insufficient, initially told some of them to leave the building, and ultimately directed the five agents she identified to leave the public hallway to go to the Chief Judge’s office. After directing those agents out of the public hallway, Dugan went back into her courtroom, immediately addressed Flores-Ruiz’s case off the record, scheduled it for a later date, instructed his attorney that the next hearing could be done via Zoom, and directed them to exit the courtroom through a side door that led to a non-public hallway.
Evidence at trial showed that the non-public hallway led to a door to a stairwell and a door into the public hallway. Dugan’s court reporter offered to show Flores-Ruiz and his attorney where to leave because they might go through the door that led to the public hallway, which her court reporter referred to as the “wrong door.” Dugan declined her offer and responded, “I’ll do it. I’ll get the heat.” Agents were able to ultimately arrest Flores-Ruiz outside the courthouse after he fled on foot in front of moving traffic in the rain. At the sentencing hearing, Judge Adelman found that Dugan had abused a position of public trust and that the conviction in this case “affirms that no one is above the law.”
“Law enforcement officers need to be able to carry out their lawful responsibilities in the manner that is safest for them, the public and the individual they are attempting to detain,” said First Assistant U. S. Attorney Brad Schimel. “Dugan’s reckless and illegal actions interfered with that goal and created unnecessary risks for all involved. For that there needed to be serious consequences.”
“As a judge, Hannah Dugan was in a position of trust. However, on April 18, 2025, she chose to place the public and law enforcement officers in danger when she helped Eduardo Flores-Ruiz evade arrest on a lawfully issued administrative warrant. While in the country illegally, Flores-Ruiz was charged with domestic violence misdemeanors which was why he was in the courthouse,” said FBI Milwaukee Special Agent in Charge Alan Karr. “Law enforcement officers sought to effect an arrest in the safest manner possible. However, based on Dugan’s actions, Flores-Ruiz was able to leave the building initially evading officers and make it onto the street. Law enforcement officers—to include agents from the FBI—quickly gave chase in front of moving traffic in the rain placing themselves in harm’s way to catch Flores-Ruiz. The jury verdict and today's sentencing reflect how Dugan endeavored to obstruct an official proceeding and betrayed the trust placed in her as a judge.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) with assistance from the United States Department of Homeland Security.# # #
For further information contact:
Public Affairs Officer Steve Caballero
(414) 297-1700
Follow us on XGreen Bay Man Charged with Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on July 2, 2026, an indictment was unsealed charging Ian C. Froelich (age 21) of Green Bay, Wisconsin, with Production of Child Pornography, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2251(a).
According to the indictment, on or about December 31, 2025, Froelich caused a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of that conduct.
If convicted of the charge, Froelich would face a mandatory 15 years’ imprisonment and up to a maximum of 30 years’ imprisonment. The charge also carries up to a $250,000 fine and from 5 years to a lifetime on supervised release. He also would be required to register as a sexual offender under state and federal law.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Green Bay and Atlanta. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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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For further information contact:Public Affairs Officer Steve Caballero
(414) 297-1700
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Milwaukee Man Sentenced for Sex Trafficking and Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl Causing DeathRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on June 23, 2026, Senior United States District Judge William C. Griesbach sentenced Damien D. Gambrell (age 44) to 240 months’ imprisonment, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, after he pleaded guilty to sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and conspiracy to distribute fentanyl resulting in death.
According to court records, in 2022, Gambrell exploited two adult victims by manipulating their vulnerabilities, isolating them, and using threats and violence to compel them to engage in commercial sex acts for his financial benefit. Gambrell transported his victims to multiple locations where he advertised them, arranged prostitution dates for them, and collected the money they earned, including in Green Bay and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and various cities in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois.
Gambrell also directed a fentanyl distribution operation in the Green Bay area in 2024. Evidence showed that Gambrell supplied fentanyl to distributors working on his behalf and directed their sales through electronic communications. One of those distributors sold fentanyl, sourced from Gambrell, to a female victim who died of a fentanyl overdose on May 25, 2024.
“This case demonstrates how the commercial sex trade in this day and age is rife with shocking violence, manipulation, drug abuse and abject fear,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad Schimel. “This is what so-called ‘prostitution’ looks like. It is neither innocent nor harmless, and those who drive the demand for commercial sex fuel this evil and share the blame. This defendant is a dangerous career criminal who has been in and out of jail and prison since he was 17. He profited off the misery he inflicted on the women he trafficked and the suffering he caused through the drugs he delivered into our communities. The only way we can be safe from him is to put in prison.”
"Human trafficking and the distribution of fentanyl is a scourge in our communities and Damien Gambrell engaged in both. He is a repeat criminal offender who trafficked women through coercive means across multiple states for his own financial benefit," said FBI Milwaukee Special Agent in Charge Alan Karr. "He also directed a drug trafficking enterprise which distributed fentanyl. This 20-year sentence reflects the seriousness of the offenses committed by Gambrell. The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to combat both human and drug trafficking in our communities."
This case was investigated by the Brown County Drug Task Force, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Green Bay Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Erica Lounsberry and Alex Duros.
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For further information contact:Public Affairs Officer Steve Caballero
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Federal Charges Announced in Multi-Million Dollar Medicaid Fraud Scheme and Prescription Drug Diversion Conspiracy; Announcement Made as Part of Justice Department’s National Health Care Fraud TakedownRead the Press Release
Milwaukee, Wisconsin – Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced charges issued in the Eastern District of Wisconsin as part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action.
The first charge announced was against Jasmine Cooper, 37, of Brown Deer, Wisconsin, who is charged by information with health care fraud and aggravated identity theft in connection with a scheme to defraud Wisconsin Medicaid. As charged in the Information, Cooper, who was authorized to run a prenatal care coordination agency (PNCC) to assist at risk pregnant women and women with children, submitted thousands of false claims in which she claimed her company provided much-needed services that beneficiaries never received. Throughout the scheme, Cooper misstated the duration, frequency, date, and nature of services provided. Cooper submitted these false claims to Wisconsin Medicaid between 2019 and 2022. The Information also charges that as part of her scheme to defraud, Cooper committed aggravated identity theft by using the means of identification of another person without lawful authority.
As a result of the scheme, Cooper submitted over $5.8 million in fraudulent claims to Wisconsin Medicaid, of which over $5.4 million was paid. On the same day that charges were filed, the United States also filed a signed plea agreement indicating Cooper’s intention to plead guilty to the charges. A change of plea hearing is scheduled for July 9, 2026, at 10:00 before the Honorable Chief District Judge Pamela Pepper.
Cooper’s charges come on the heels of four similar schemes charged by the Eastern District of Wisconsin. Combined with the charges against Cooper, these fraudulent schemes have cost Wisconsin Medicaid over $15.5 million between 2019 and 2022. Cooper’s case, as well as the similar PNCC-related schemes were investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with substantial assistance from the Wisconsin Department of Justice Medicaid Fraud and Elder Abuse Control Unit. The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kate M. Biebel and Julie F. Stewart.
The second charge was against Jerry Jones III, 70, of Mequon, Wisconsin. Jones was charged by information with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. As alleged in the information, Dr. Jones was a medical provider authorized by the Drug Enforcement Administration to distribute controlled substances as part of a legitimate medical purpose.
Instead, between January 2021 and September 2025, Dr. Jones conspired to distribute controlled substances such as amphetamine-dextroamphetamine, methylphenidate, buprenorphine, diazepam, lorazepam, alprazolam, and pregabalin outside the usual course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose. As part of the conspiracy, Dr. Jones distributed 12,885 pills of Adderall, 8,121 pills of Ritalin, 143,282 units of Schedule III controlled substances, 35,944 units of Schedule IV controlled substances, and 12,374 units of Schedule V controlled substances.
On the same day that charges were filed, the United States also filed a signed plea agreement indicating that Dr. Jones intends to be plead guilty to the charges. A change of plea hearing is scheduled for June 29, 2026, at 11:15 a.m. before the Honorable Lynn Adelman. As part of the plea agreement Dr. Jones agreed to forfeit $294,850.72 in proceeds of the unlawful conspiracy. The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration Diversion Investigations Unit. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie F. Stewart.
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The charges announced by First Assistant United States Attorney Schimel are part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in charges against 455 defendants, including 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes involving over $6.5 billion in false claims and significant patient harm, including death.
The nationwide takedown, announced on June 23, 2026, represented a new era in federal, state, and international cooperation to combat health care fraud: cases in 56 federal districts and 45 U.S. states and territories, with 50 state Medicaid Fraud Control Units participating, the most in Department history. In addition, unprecedented international cooperation over the two-week Takedown resulted in the apprehension and return to the United States of the following health care fraudsters: one defendant in Kyrenia in connection with an over $3.7 billion scheme; two defendants in Estonia in connection with a previously charged $10.6 billion scheme; and, in the Philippines, one of FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters in connection with a previously-charged $1.2 billion telemedicine fraud scheme.
The Takedown involved the cutting-edge use of data analytics to target the worst actors; the seizure of over $182 million in cash, luxury vehicles, jewelry, and other assets; and full-spectrum accountability for all criminal actors from doctor’s offices to corporate boardrooms.
The nationwide enforcement action involved a whole-of-government approach, including:
• Actions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to suspend 1,079 providers and revoke billing privileges for 1,403 providers.
• 48 Civil Monetary Payment settlements amounting to over $73 million, over 1,400 provider exclusions, and 25 actions by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (“HHS-OIG”) under the Civil Monetary Penalties Law seeking more than $10 billion in payments to the Medicare Trust Fund from payments that CMS caught and suspended before the funds were paid to the fraudulent providers.
• Civil charges against 13 defendants for $14.8 million in health care fraud schemes, as well as civil settlements with 31 defendants totaling $23 million.
• 928 administrative cases by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seeking the revocation of authority to handle and/or prescribe controlled substances since October 1, 2025.
The cases are being prosecuted by the Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, New England, Northeast, Texas, and West Coast Strike Forces; U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Middle District of Alabama, District of Arizona, Central District of California, Southern District of California, District of Colorado, District of Connecticut, District of Delaware, Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Northern District of Georgia, District of Hawaii, District of Idaho, Northern District of Illinois, Northern District of Iowa, Southern District of Iowa, Western District of Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, District of Nebraska, District of New Hampshire, District of New Jersey, District of New Mexico, Eastern District of New York, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Middle District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina, Northern District of Ohio, Northern District of Oklahoma, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Oregon, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania, District of Puerto Rico, District of Rhode Island, District of South Carolina, District of South Dakota, Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, District of Vermont, Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Virginia, Northern District of West Virginia, Southern District of West Virginia, Eastern District of Wisconsin, and Western District of Wisconsin; and State Attorneys General’s Offices, through their MFCUs, in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia.
Descriptions of each case involved in the nationwide enforcement action are available on the Department’s website here.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
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- Two Gang Members Sentenced to Life in Prison plus Ten Years for Murder-for-Hire, Firearms, and Fraud Convictions
Mishicot Teacher and Track Coach Sentenced for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant United States Attorney of the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on June 16, 2026, United States District Judge Byron B. Conway sentenced former Mishicot Middle/High School teacher and track coach Ryan S. Schroeder (age 39), to 336 months’ imprisonment following his conviction for Production of Child Pornography, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2251(a).
According to court documents and arguments presented in court, Schroeder sexually assaulted a minor student for approximately two years, beginning when the girl was in the eighth grade. Schroeder then abused a second student, then 13-years-old, who informed the school district of Schroeder’s sexual abuse towards her. Law enforcement searched Schroeder’s cell phone and discovered that he had been sending images to both of the minors. Ultimately, he pled guilty to creating a video involving one of the minors which contained sexually explicit conduct with the child.
Judge Conway described the defendant’s crime as a serious criminal offense involving “so much more than the production of child pornography.” He condemned Schroeder’s “deviant behavior” and described him as a “family man who was living a fraud” and a “mentor who became a predator.” Judge Conway determined that 28 years (336 months) of imprisonment was an appropriate sentence noting that his abuse of trust was higher given that his dual role of teacher and track coach gave him extended access to the victims. Following his release from prison, Schroeder will spend the remainder of his life on supervised release. He will also be required to register as a sex offender under state and federal law.
“This defendant stole the innocence of these children and deserved the very lengthy prison sentence he received,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad Schimel. “He abused the position of trust given him by the school, parents and society as a whole. The team from the investigators to the prosecutors did an outstanding job bringing this defendant to justice.”
“This sentence reflects the seriousness of the crimes committed and the lasting impact they have had on the victims and their families. I want to commend the outstanding work of Detective Nate Steber, whose dedication and pursuit of the truth helped bring this case to a successful conclusion. Investigations involving the exploitation of children are among the most difficult cases law enforcement encounters,” stated Manitowoc County Sheriff Daniel Hartwig.
“While no sentence can erase the trauma these victims endured, it is our hope that today’s outcome provides a measure of closure and an opportunity for healing as they move forward. The Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to protecting children and holding those who abuse positions of trust fully accountable for their actions.”
Mishicot Police Chief Paul Granger stated, “This investigation began within our community and serves as a reminder that child exploitation can occur anywhere, even in places where families expect their children to be safest. From the moment these allegations were brought forward, the Mishicot Police Department, led by Detective James Brooks' diligent investigative efforts, took immediate action to ensure the allegations were thoroughly investigated and that the victims received the support and protection they deserved.”
“I am proud of the work performed by our officers and our law enforcement partners throughout this investigation. Today's sentence sends a clear message that individuals who use positions of trust and authority to exploit children will be identified, investigated, and held fully accountable. While no sentence can undo the harm caused to these victims, we hope this outcome provides a measure of justice and allows them to continue their healing journey. The Mishicot Police Department remains unwavering in its commitment to protecting children and pursuing those who prey upon the most vulnerable members of our community.'"This case was investigated by the Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Office, the Mishicot Police Department and with the assistance of the Manitowoc County District Attorney’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Daniel R. Humble and Timothy W. Funnell.
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 Woman Sentenced to Prison for Preparing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on June 16, 2026, U.S. District Judge Brett Ludwig sentenced Jasmeika Simon to one year and one day in federal prison for aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns, in violation of 26 U.S.C. § 7206(2). Simon operated a tax preparation business that filed hundreds of false and fraudulent returns on behalf of clients in exchange for fees.
According to court records, Simon worked as an independent contractor and tax preparer for “Unlimited Taxes and More,” a Georgia‑based tax preparation company with affiliates nationwide. From 2022 through 2024, she submitted more than 300 individual income tax returns to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) containing false information designed to inflate clients’ tax refunds. Simon repeatedly used fabricated items—including business expenses, Sick and Family Leave Credits, Fuel Credits, and ordinary dividends—to artificially increase refund amounts. She recruited clients through word‑of‑mouth and Facebook advertising, often preparing returns with minimal input from the taxpayers.
“Tax fraud steals from all honest Americans who work hard and pay their taxes honestly,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad Schimel. “This defendant committed tax fraud hundreds of times and rightly received a sentence to the federal penitentiary.”
In imposing the sentence, Judge Ludwig emphasized the seriousness of Simon’s conduct, the need for just punishment, and the importance of deterring others from engaging in similar fraud. Judge Ludwig also ordered Simon to pay more than $250,000 in restitution and to serve one year of supervised release following her prison term.
The case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter J. Smyczek.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
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Milwaukee Man Sentenced to Prison for Preparing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on June 15, 2026, U.S. District Judge Brett Ludwig sentenced Cameron Summers to one year and one day in prison for two counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns, in violation of 26 U.S.C. § 7206(2). Summers claimed on his clients’ tax returns false expenses, credits, and refunds to which they were not entitled.
According to court records, Summers worked at a tax preparation business in Milwaukee beginning in 2018. From 2020 through 2022, he filed with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) over 400 individual income tax returns for clients, using his name, preparer tax identification number, and business name. Summers repeatedly used false items on clients’ tax returns to inflate refund amounts, including false business expenses, Sick and Family Leave Credits, Fuel Credits, and Educational Tax Credits. Summers made notations stating that he had “boosted” the refund amount on some returns, and told the IRS, Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CI), in an interview that he did everything he could to get a big refund, such as using whatever numbers were available and maximizing the credits.
During the hearing, Judge Ludwig noted several factors affecting the sentence, including the very serious nature of Summers’ criminal conduct, the loss to the IRS of over $1.1 million, and the need to provide adequate deterrence to others who might engage in such conduct. Judge Ludwig also ordered Summers to pay more than $1.1 million in restitution, and to serve one year of supervised release.
“When someone commits tax fraud, they are stealing from all Americans who work hard and pay their taxes honestly,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad Schimel. “Anyone who commits fraud should expect to be sent to the federal penitentiary, like this defendant.”
In addition, on April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
IRS-CI investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. Scully prosecuted.
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U.S. Attorney’s Office Recognizes World Elder Abuse Awareness DayRead the Press Release
Today, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin joins communities across the nation in recognizing World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, an observance dedicated to raising awareness about the mistreatment, neglect, and exploitation of older adults.
“Protecting older members of our community is one of our highest priorities,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad Schimel. “Our office is committed to prosecuting those who target seniors and educating communities about how to recognize and report signs of abuse.”
Each year, an estimated one in ten older Americans experiences some form of elder abuse. This mistreatment can take many forms, including financial exploitation, emotional or psychological harm, physical abuse, neglect or abandonment, and sexual abuse. To address these threats, the Department of Justice collaborates with federal, state, local, and tribal partners to vigorously enforce federal laws that protect the elderly.
In support of local awareness efforts, representatives from the U.S. Attorney’s Office will participate in a community resource fair organized by Milwaukee County DHHS Aging & Disabilities Services at Washington Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The event brings together service providers and community members to share information on preventing elder abuse and connecting older adults and caregivers with critical resources.
“As the nation commemorates World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and celebrates America’s 250th anniversary we are reminded that protecting older adults from abuse, neglect, and exploitation is a shared responsibility,” said Attorney Schimel. “Honoring the principles of liberty, dignity, and justice that have defined our nation for 250 years includes safeguarding some of our most vulnerable citizens and ensuring they can live free from harm and financial exploitation.”
The Justice Department relies on the public’s assistance in remaining vigilant and reporting suspected fraud and abuse. Anyone with concerns about potential abuse, neglect, or fraud should contact local law enforcement or the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311).
For resources, reporting guidance, and additional information on federal efforts to combat elder abuse, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice
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First Assistant U.S. Attorney Participates in U.S. District Court Journalist ForumRead the Press Release
MILWAUKEE — Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, was proud to participate in the Journalist Forum hosted by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin on June 9, 2026.
The educational forum brought together members of the media, federal judges, court personnel, probation and pretrial services representatives, and attorneys to discuss the structure and function of the federal court system. Topics included federal jurisdiction, the roles of judges and court staff, the lifecycle of criminal and civil cases, jury service, and issues related to media access and coverage of federal court proceedings.
The event provided journalists with an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the federal judiciary and the administration of justice, helping to promote accurate and informed reporting on matters of public interest.
“Participating in forums like this helps strengthen public understanding of our justice system and the important role federal courts play in American life,” said Attorney Schimel. “Open dialogue and public education contribute to confidence in our institutions and reinforce the principles of transparency and accountability that are fundamental to our democracy.”
As the nation marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, efforts to educate the public about the work of government institutions remain an important part of preserving civic engagement and public trust. Programs such as the Journalist Forum help foster greater understanding of the federal courts and the rule of law, ensuring that the public has access to accurate information about the judicial process.
The Journalist Forum was conducted under established ground rules designed to encourage educational discussion. The event was not recorded, did not address specific pending or past cases, and was intended solely as a general informational program for members of the media.
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Plymouth Man Indicted on Production of Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on June 2, 2026, Christopher L. Rentmeester (age 45, of Plymouth) was federally indicted for the production of child pornography. The indictment charges Rentmeester with two counts of production of child pornography (also known as child sexual abuse material, or CSAM), in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2251(a) and 2251(e). The criminal conduct is alleged to have occurred between 2022 and 2024.
Rentmeester faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years’ imprisonment and up to 30 years’ imprisonment, on each count if convicted.
The Plymouth Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Abbey M. Marzick.
An indictment contains allegations only and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Man and Woman Sentenced for Child Neglect on Menominee Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that a man and woman were recently sentenced after convictions for child neglect on the Menominee Indian Reservation. On May 15, 2026, Louis Tucker (age 24) of Neopit, Wisconsin, was sentenced to three years in federal prison for child neglect, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1153(a) and Wisconsin Statutes §§ 948.21(2) and 948.21(3)(b)(1). Tucker entered a guilty plea on February 19, 2026. Following his term of imprisonment, Tucker will spend three years on supervised release.
On May 29, 2026, Nyomi L.D. Acosta (age 21) of Neopit was sentenced to one year and one day in prison for the same offense. Acosta entered her guilty plea to child neglect on February 26, 2026. Following her term of imprisonment, Acosta will also spend three years on supervised release.
According to court records, tribal social services and tribal law enforcement received a report of possible child abuse of a then 8-month-old child. The child suffered a burn, broken bones, and bruising to the head and body. Tucker and Acosta were responsible for the child’s welfare and did not seek medical attention for the child after the child was abused.
Senior United States District Court Judge William C. Griesbach noted the serious nature of the offense and the harm to the child. He also remarked that, while Tucker and Acosta had distinct rehabilitative needs, the offense deserved punishment and the sentence of each of them had to promote deterrence to others.
“It is heartbreaking that this very little child suffered so greatly due to neglect by people who were supposed to care for and protect them,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Schimel. “Acts that result in serious harm to a child deserve prison, and thankfully the court saw it that way.”
"Louis Tucker and Nyomi L.D. Acosta abused an innocent child causing significant bodily harm. Their actions were reprehensible, and these sentencings ensure they will be held to account," said FBI Milwaukee Special Agent in Charge Alan Karr. "The FBI remains committed to working with our Tribal partners to combat violent crime on Tribal lands."
The Menominee Tribal Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case, which was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Maier.
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Neopit Man Indicted for Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury on Menominee Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on May 27, 2026, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging a Damien J. Peters (age 39) from Neopit, Wisconsin, for aggravated assault resulting in serious bodily injury, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 113(a)(6) and 1153(a).
According to the indictment, on or about April 21, 2026, while at a location on the Menominee Indian Reservation, Peters struck another person in the head, causing pain, swelling, and a concussion. If convicted, Peters faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, up to 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
The Menominee Tribal Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Maier.
An indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Green Bay Man Indicted for Sexually Exploiting Numerous ChildrenRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on June 2, 2026, a federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment charging William G. Waterstradt (age 22) with offenses involving the sexual exploitation of children.
According to the publicly filed criminal complaint that preceded yesterday’s indictment, Waterstradt created a fake Snapchat account to facilitate the exploitation of numerous underage girls. Detectives recovered communications between Waterstradt and dozens of girls, some as young as 12 years old, in which he falsely claimed to be 16 or 17 years old. The investigation began after a 12-year-old student saw sexually explicit images on a friend’s phone during recess, prompting a report to school officials.
Detectives subsequently identified multiple underage victims. Many reported that they had exchanged sexually explicit images with Waterstradt. Three victims stated that they met Waterstradt in person and engaged in sexual intercourse and/or sexual contact, which he sometimes recorded on his phone. Detectives also determined that Waterstradt shared some of these recordings with unknown individuals online.
Waterstradt is charged with production of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years in prison. He is also charged with two counts of child enticement, each carrying a mandatory minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison.
This case was investigated by the Langlade County Sheriff’s Office, the Sheboygan Police Department, the Green Bay Police Department, the Brown County Sheriff’s Office, and the Paris (Illinois) Police Department, with assistance from the Forest County Sheriff’s Office, the Franklin Police Department, the Germantown Police Department, the Grafton Police Department, the Marquette University Police Department, the Wisconsin Department of Justice – Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Langlade County District Attorney’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alex Duros.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative led by the U.S. Department of Justice 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 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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Milwaukee Man Sentenced to 16½ Years in Federal Prison for Nine RobberiesRead the Press Release
First Assistant United States Attorney Brad D. Schimel of the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced that, on May 27, 2026, Jeremiah Tyler (22, of Milwaukee) was sentenced to 16½ years in prison for committing nine robberies (seven completed and two attempted) of gas stations in Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties between July 18, 2025, and August 18, 2025. In six of the completed robberies, Tyler brandished a firearm. In one of the attempted robberies, Tyler discharged a firearm.
Following his term of imprisonment, Tyler also will spend three years on supervised release. He was also ordered to pay restitution.
“These were very serious and dangerous crimes. Thank God no one was hurt,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Schimel. “The message cannot be clearer: Those who commit crimes with guns will be relentlessly pursued, and they will be locked up. We have no higher priority in our mission to keep our communities safe.”
“Jeremiah Tyler created fear in our community when he committed seven robberies and attempted another two. Not only did he brandish a firearm to instill fear and further his illegal actions, but in one case he discharged the firearm,” said FBI Milwaukee Special Agent in Charge Alan Karr. “The sentence he received reflects the seriousness of Tyler's actions and should serve as a warning to anyone contemplating violent criminal actions. The FBI and our Milwaukee Area Violent Crime Task Force will continue to relentlessly pursue, investigate, and hold accountable those who commit violent crimes in our communities.”
“Armed robberies are dangerous, can escalate quickly, and cause harm to our community. The Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) is grateful for the hard work of everyone involved that brought this individual to justice,” said Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman. “MPD values our collaboration with our law enforcement partners in criminal cases like this to build a safer city for everyone to live, work, and play.”
“We are grateful for the assistance and cooperation of our law enforcement partners, which resulted in the arrest of Mr. Tyler,” said West Allis Chief Patrick Mitchell. “Law enforcement agencies take violent crime seriously, and we effectively share information and cooperate on a regional basis. This conviction and sentence should serve as a reminder that violent crime is not tolerated.”
“It is abhorrent when citizens are victimized by individuals like Jeremiah Tyler,” said Menomonee Falls Chief Mark Waters. “Thankfully, through the joint effort of diligent law enforcement professionals and a skilled prosecution team, Mr. Tyler will be held accountable for his actions. We trust his conviction will help his victims heal while simultaneously deterring others from committing such heinous acts.”
This matter was investigated by the FBI’s Milwaukee Area Violent Crime Task Force, the Milwaukee Police Department, the West Allis Police Department, and the Menomonee Falls Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Abbey M. Marzick.
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Wisconsin Man Sentenced to 13 Years in Prison for Using the Internet to Sexually Exploit a Minor in the PhilippinesRead the Press Release
Bradley D. Hounsell, 44, of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was sentenced today to 13 years in prison, to be followed by seven years of supervised release, for using the internet to coerce and entice a minor in the Philippines to engage in unlawful sexual conduct.
According to court documents, Hounsell used an online social media platform to pay an individual in the Philippines for sexually explicit images and videos of children. In November 2023, this individual informed Hounsell that she had access to an approximately 13-year-old girl, and Hounsell asked to have the minor pose in sexually suggestive positions. Hounsell then offered to pay for a video of the individual penetrating the child’s genitals. After Hounsell sent her money, the individual sent Hounsell a video depicting an adult sexually abusing a nude child. At various points in their conversations, Hounsell offered to pay this individual money for additional images and videos depicting the sexual exploitation of children. Law enforcement recovered this video and other evidence of Hounsell’s criminal conduct from his phone during a warrant-authorized search of his home in Wisconsin. Hounsell was employed as a correctional officer with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections prior to his arrest.
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; First Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad D. Schimel for the Eastern District of Wisconsin; Assistant Director Heith Janke of the FBI’s Criminal Division; and Special Agent in Charge Alan Karr of the FBI’s Milwaukee Field Office made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Child Exploitation Operational Unit and Milwaukee Field Office with the assistance of the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office.
Trial Attorney William G. Clayman, formerly of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), and Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel R. Humble for the Eastern District of Wisconsin prosecuted the case.
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 Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and 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.justice.gov/psc.
Eight Defendants Sentenced After Federal Investigation Seized More Than 175,000 Fentanyl PillsRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that Senior United States District Judge William C. Griesbach sentenced the following eight individuals for their roles in a fentanyl trafficking organization operating in Green Bay:
- Ricky Q. Chambers, 29, of Green Bay, Wisconsin, was sentenced in May 2026 to 204 months in prison, followed by 7 years of supervised release.
- Jaylen T. Allen, 25, of Green Bay, Wisconsin, was sentenced in December 2025 to 168 months in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release.
- Peyton Shipman-Allen, 33, of Green Bay, Wisconsin, was sentenced in October 2025 to 167 months in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release.
- Taviaun S. Love, 24, of Green Bay, Wisconsin, was sentenced in July 2025 to 120 months in prison, followed by 8 years of supervised release.
- Darius D. Ricks, 32, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was sentenced in May 2026 to 120 months in prison, followed by 7 years of supervised release.
- Xzavier T. Newsom, 29, of Green Bay, Wisconsin, was sentenced in April 2026 to 108 months in prison, followed by 6 years of supervised release.
- Eugene L. Herrod, 34, of Green Bay, Wisconsin, was sentenced in May 2026 to 48 months in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release.
- Devinique E. Manjarrez, 28, of Goodyear, Arizona, was sentenced in May 2026 to time served, followed by 3 years of supervised release.
Seven of the eight defendants pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. Ricky Chambers was found guilty following a jury trial.
According to court records and evidence presented in court, the defendants operated a large-scale drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing hundreds of thousands of fentanyl pills in the Green Bay and Milwaukee areas. Several members referred to themselves as “GTR,” short for “Getting to Riches.” Members of the organization frequently traveled to Phoenix, Arizona, where they purchased large quantities of fentanyl pills. They then shipped the pills to various cities throughout the Midwest before distributing them in and around Green Bay. During the investigation, law enforcement seized more than 175,000 fentanyl pills connected to the organization.
The investigation also revealed that members of GTR spent thousands of dollars on luxury travel, expensive jewelry, luxury vehicles, designer clothing, and rap video productions. Members regularly displayed large amounts of cash and luxury items on social media while promoting their music and public image. In one video, Jaylen Allen displayed a luxury watch and stated, “We really rich off nothing but fentanyl.” In numerous other videos and photographs, members of the organization posed with tens of thousands of dollars in cash.
At Chambers’ trial, an expert in drug trafficking testified that high-level fentanyl traffickers can purchase fentanyl pills in Phoenix for as little as 50 cents per pill and resell those same pills in Green Bay for up to $20 per pill. The expert also testified that seven out of ten fentanyl pills tested at DEA crime laboratories contain a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl.
“While the sentencing of the last of the defendants in this drug conspiracy brings the court cases to a conclusion, the harm these individuals have caused to the very fabric of our communities will continue to reverberate for years,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad Schimel. “The enormous amount of fentanyl these criminals distributed in our state has resulted in devastating losses of life, damage to public health, destruction of families and the expenditure of huge amounts of public and private resources to address the poison from which these criminals profited.”
“The fentanyl crisis affects families across the country to include those in our communities in Wisconsin. The criminal actors in this case sought to enrich themselves through trafficking and selling large quantities of fentanyl. They have now been held accountable for their actions,” said FBI Milwaukee Special Agent in Charge Alan Karr. “The FBI will continue to work with our partners to aggressively investigate and combat violent crime and drug trafficking throughout the United States to ensure the safety of the American people.”
“The successful conclusion of this case is another example of the relentless work conducted by the Brown County Drug Task Force in partnership with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies across Wisconsin and the nation. Through coordinated investigations and proactive enforcement efforts, law enforcement continues to target those responsible for bringing dangerous drugs into our communities” said Brown County Sheriff, Todd Delain.
“The Brown County Drug Task Force remains committed to protecting the public and holding drug traffickers accountable. Those who choose to come to Brown County to profit from the distribution of illegal narcotics should understand that it is only a matter of time before they are arrested, prosecuted, and held accountable for their actions. Today, these drug dealers are no longer living a life of luxury — they are serving lengthy sentences behind bars!”
This case was investigated by the Brown County Drug Task Force, the Dakota County (Minnesota) Drug Task Force, the MSP Airport Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Green Bay Resident Office and Phoenix Division, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Alex Duros and Tim Funnell.
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Homeland Security Task Force Investigation Leads to Indictment of Four Illegal Aliens from South America in Million Dollar Multistate Burglary RingRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on May 12, 2026, a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Wisconsin returned an indictment charging Chilean nationals Luciano Alexis Silva Cifuentes, Enjerbet Alejandro Rojas Silva, and Leandro Felipe Pino Uribe, and Venezuelan national Nobuaki Jesus Lara Watay with violations of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 371 (conspiracy to violate the laws of the United States), 2314 (interstate and foreign transportation of stolen property), and 1956(h) (conspiracy to launder criminal proceeds).
According to publicly filed criminal complaints that preceded today’s indictment, this case arises out of an investigation initially commenced by the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office and joined by the Milwaukee area Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF). The HSTF is led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Department of Homeland Security–Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Internal Revenue Service–Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI).
The investigation led to charges against a group of Chilean nationals who are in the U.S. illegally and allegedly traveled from South America to commit burglaries across the United States. This South American theft group is allegedly tied to more than a dozen completed and attempted residential burglaries in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Florida, with a total loss of approximately $1,000,000 worth of U.S. currency, jewelry, firearms, precious metals, and rare coins. The Chilean burglars are alleged to have repeatedly traveled from Florida to Wisconsin and Minnesota by rental car, with the support of Watay, who is living in the U.S. illegally in Florida, and who reserved Airbnb rentals for the burglary crew, posted their bail when needed, and conducted financial transactions on the group’s behalf.
The crimes with which the defendants have been charged carry maximum penalties of up to five years in prison for conspiring to violate the laws of the United States, up to ten years in prison for transporting stolen property across state or foreign boundaries, and up to twenty years in prison for conspiring to launder criminal proceeds.
This indictment is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.
This investigation was led by the Milwaukee Homeland Security Task Force 414, composed of members from the FBI, HSI, IRS–CI, U.S. Marshals Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Office, with significant support from the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office, Mequon Police Department, Dane County Sheriff’s Department, Brown County Sheriff’s Department, Mendota Heights (MN) Police Department, Orono (MN) Police Department, Edina (MN) Police Department, Plantation (FL) Police Department, and the North Central High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA).
The prosecution is being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove them guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Homeland Security Task Force Indicts Eighteen Defendants in Wide-Ranging Drug Trafficking Organization Operating Out of S2 Real Estate Owned PropertiesRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on May 5, 2026, a grand jury returned an indictment charging eighteen defendants with offenses related to drug-trafficking organizations that operated out of apartments owned and operated by Samuel P. Stair through his S2 Real Estate business.
Included among the defendants is Samuel P. Stair, who is described as the owner and registered agent of forty-three LLCs that are alleged to have facilitated the drug-trafficking offenses described in the indictment. According to a criminal complaint issued prior to the indictment, Stair rented properties he owned to drug traffickers for the purpose of storing and distributing controlled substances, including cocaine and fentanyl.
The indictment charges Stair with six counts, including charges of maintaining a drug house, conspiracy to maintain a drug house, and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. §§ 841, 846, and 856. The indictment also charges Stair, along with employees of his business and drug-trafficking co-conspirators, with a money laundering conspiracy based on his use of business accounts to conceal drug proceeds. The indictment alleges that Stair used the air of legitimacy created by his business to conceal the nature of his criminal conduct and to facilitate drug trafficking and money laundering. It seeks forfeiture of Stair’s ownership interest in forty-three property-holding LLCs, six specific real properties, and over $700,000 seized from Stair’s home and bank accounts.Charged with Stair are seventeen defendants who are alleged to have participated in drug trafficking conspiracies involving the distribution primarily of cocaine and fentanyl and maintaining a drug house. Several defendants are also charged with possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.
The defendants charged in the indictment, all of whom are from Milwaukee, are the following: Jeanette Lopez, Russell V. McDade, Sr., Walter J. Ringersma, Laura F. Knezic, Javarius J. Williams, Stacey L. Berry, Alberto L. Boffil, Jr., Cristal F. Nokes, Wesley R. Bynum, Victoria T. Allen, Kerry Howell, Sr., Jermaine Erving, Otis Lockett, Martin L. Sinclair, Ser Jimmy L. Shepherd, Larry A. Shepherd, Shareerah J. McCay, and Samuel P. Stair.
On April 22, 2026, federal, state, and local law enforcement executed coordinated search warrants at fourteen locations in Chicago and Milwaukee. In prior months, local law enforcement conducted related searches of other Stair-owned properties. These searches resulted in the seizure of kilogram quantities of fentanyl as well as cocaine, cocaine base, and methamphetamine. Law enforcement also seized over 22 firearms, over $270,000 in cash, over $500,000 in securities, and three vehicles.
Sixteen defendants are charged in a conspiracy to distribute at least 400 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing fentanyl and 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing cocaine. If convicted, the defendants face a mandatory minimum of ten years in prison and up to life in prison. Some defendants are also charged in separate counts related to the distribution of controlled substances that carry a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and up to 40 years in prison.
Six defendants are charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. They face a mandatory minimum of five years in prison, which must be served consecutively to any other sentence. Two defendants are charged with possession of a machinegun in furtherance of drug trafficking, which carries a mandatory minimum of thirty years in prison.This indictment is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. This investigation was conducted by agents and officers from HSTF agencies, including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security- Homeland Security Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation as well as other agencies, such as the West Allis Police Department and the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation. The prosecution is being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove them guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Oshkosh Resident Receives 15 years in Federal Prison for Kwik Trip RobberyRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on April 29, 2026, Lorenzo Wood, Jr. (age 59) of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was sentenced to 180 months’ imprisonment for Hobbs Act robbery, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1951(a), and possession of a firearm as a felon by an armed career criminal, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(e)(1).
According to court documents, just after midnight on October 13, 2025, Wood Jr. walked into the Kwik Trip located off Highway 41 on Jackson Street in Oshkosh with a revolver in his hand. He pointed the firearm at the clerk and demanded money from the cash register. The clerk gave Wood Jr. $170. Wood Jr. left in a silver SUV. Law enforcement tracked the travel of his vehicle and quickly identified Wood Jr. by his vehicle and his distinct walking gait which was seen on surveillance cameras inside the store. A search of his residence led law enforcement to recover the revolver used in the robbery.
At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Byron B. Conway noted the serious nature of the offense and profound impact the robbery had on the victim. He further noted that Wood Jr. has spent much of his adult life in and out of state prison for similar convenience store robberies. Judge Conway ultimately imposed a sentence of 180 months’ incarceration while noting that the defendant’s age and poor health means he will spend much of the remainder of his life in federal prison. Following his release from prison, he will spend 5 years on supervised release.
“The message is clear,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Schimel. “Violent criminals who terrorize our community with firearms will be caught and locked up in prison. I am proud of our law enforcement and prosecution team that works hard day and night to keep our communities safe.”
“I want to express my appreciation to the deputies that solved this case,” said Winnebago County Sheriff John Matz. “It was not only Kwik Trip video but also the use of Flock that brought this incident to a close. As always, we appreciate collaborating with our federal partners.”
This case was investigated by the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.
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Multi-Year Drug Investigation in Central Wisconsin Successfully Concludes After Last Defendant SentencedRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Chadwick M. Elgersma, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced the successful conclusion of a multi-year drug trafficking investigation in central Wisconsin, following the sentencing of the last of thirteen defendants.
U.S. Attorney Elgersma praised the collaborative efforts of the law enforcement agents involved, “This outcome is the result of years of dedication, coordination, and trust among our law enforcement partners. I want to thank all the agents from around the state who worked tirelessly to identify and hold this criminal organization accountable for distributing large quantities of dangerous narcotics in our communities. Their collective efforts stand as a powerful example of what can be achieved when federal and state agencies work together.” He also reaffirmed his office’s commitment to disrupting and dismantling drug trafficking organizations in the Western District of Wisconsin.
In February 2022, officers with the Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force began investigating a methamphetamine and cocaine trafficking organization led by Tommie L. Haney and Quo Vadis Lewis operating in Marathon County, Wisconsin. The investigation involved the seizure of drug-laden packages from the mail, thirty-two controlled purchases of narcotics, and search warrants executed at residences. As part of the investigation, officers seized over 12 kilograms of cocaine, 285 grams of crack cocaine, 6 kilograms of methamphetamine, 1 kilogram of marijuana, 14 firearms, and $47,405. Haney and Lewis, the leaders of the conspiracy, were sentenced to 14 years and 12 ½ years respectively. Photos from the case include:
Photo of ten pounds of methamphetamine found in mail parcel on March 17, 2022 Photo of firearms, cocaine, marijuana, and U.S. currency seized on June 28, 2023The following defendants were sentenced as part of the federal prosecution:
• Lawrence E. Lavergne, 44, Wausau, Wisconsin, was sentenced in June 2023 to 9 years in federal prison, followed by 8 years of supervised release, for distributing 5 grams or more of methamphetamine and possessing a firearm as a felon.
• Jaison L. Coleman, 44, Marshfield, Wisconsin, was sentenced in October 2024 to 8 ½ years in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possessing a firearm as a felon.
• Teala L. Kumbera, 29, Schofield, Wisconsin, was sentenced in November 2024 to 4 ½ years in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for conspiring to distribute cocaine.
• Shandel L. Mohr, 33, Marshfield, Wisconsin, was sentenced in December 2024 to 12 months and 1 day in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for conspiring to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine.
• Quo Vadis Lewis, 41, Wausau, Wisconsin, was sentenced in January 2025 to 12 ½ years in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of cocaine and for possessing firearms as a felon.
• Troy C. Olsen, 51, Wausau, Wisconsin, was sentenced in January 2025 to 45 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine.
• Craig C. Gates, 48, Wausau, Wisconsin, was sentenced in January 2025 to 106 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for possessing cocaine intended for distribution and possessing a loaded firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
• Tommie L. Haney, 46, Wisconsin, was sentenced in February 2025 to 14 years in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of both methamphetamine and cocaine.
• Edwin Lewis, 44, Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced in March 2025 to 12 years in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and cocaine.
• Johntay L. Johnson, 41, Wausau, Wisconsin, was sentenced in September 2025 to 8 years in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for maintaining a drug-involved premises, possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, and distributing cocaine.
• Samuel A. Teague, 43, Wausau, Wisconsin, was sentenced in January 2026 to 8 years in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of cocaine.
• Travis L. Ingram, 38, Mosinee, Wisconsin, was sentenced in March 2026 to 52 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for distributing cocaine, maintaining a drug-involved premises, and money laundering.
• Markqui R. White, 39, Weston, Wisconsin, was sentenced in March 2026 to 70 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for distributing cocaine, maintaining a drug-involved premises, and money laundering.
A fourteenth defendant, Shelby Gutch, 31, Neillsville, Wisconsin, entered into a 24-month diversion agreement in January 2025 for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine.
The charges against these individuals were the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI’s Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force, the ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force, IRS Criminal Investigation, and the Marshfield Police Department. The Marathon County District Attorney’s Office also assisted with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven P. Anderson, Corey C. Stephan, and Daniel R. Humble (Eastern District of Wisconsin) prosecuted these cases.
The FBI’s Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force is comprised of agents from the FBI, Wisconsin State Patrol, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Marathon County Sheriff’s Office, Portage County Sheriff’s Office, Wood County Sheriff’s Office, Mountain Bay Police Department, Wausau Police Department, and Wisconsin National Guard Counter Drug Program. The ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force is comprised of federal agents from ATF and task force officers from state and local agencies throughout the Western District of Wisconsin.
This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) Program initiative. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of federal law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.
Cartel Member Sentenced to 22 Years in Federal Prison for Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on April 24, 2026, Jose Cardenas-Salcido (age 43) was sentenced to twenty-two years of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, by United States District Judge J.P. Stadtmueller.
Judge Stadtmueller previously found Cardenas-Salcido guilty of the following crimes after a bench trial in January 2026: distributing at least 400 grams of fentanyl; unlawfully using a communication facility to commit a felony; attempting to obstruct justice using physical force; and attempting to corruptly persuade a witness to offer influenced testimony in an official proceeding.
During the trial, witnesses described how Cardenas-Salcido supplied pills containing fentanyl to lower-level distributors selling in the Milwaukee metro area. Cardenas-Salcido and his collaborators sent their fentanyl through the mail before a shipment containing over 5,000 pills was intercepted by law enforcement in October 2022, and investigators later learned that Cardenas-Salcido was the source of those drugs. The evidence also showed that the defendant was an admitted member of the Sinaloa cartel, with familial connections to it.
The government also proved that after Cardenas-Salcido was detained pending trial, he attempted to obstruct justice in multiple ways. First, the defendant offered to supply a fellow inmate with guns and drugs from the cartel if that inmate would provide the defendant with false exculpatory affidavits. Next, the defendant offered a cartel connection to a different inmate if that same inmate would kill the witnesses set to testify against him. Finally, the defendant attempted to intimidate the witnesses against him by sending threatening letters mentioning his cartel connections to the witnesses’ families. Evidence admitted during the trial included the photo below, which depict the fentanyl pills Cardenas-Salcido trafficked.
In its sentencing commentary, the government emphasized the dangerousness of Cardenas-Salcido’s conduct, given fentanyl’s potency and the risk of violence associated with his crimes.
While imposing sentence, Judge Stadtmueller noted that he had sentenced over 2,600 defendants in federal court and was accordingly quite familiar with the dangers posed by the defendant’s conduct, which was “totally antithetical to that which we expect from the average citizen.”
The Court also noted Cardenas-Salcido’s association with both “the Sinaloa cartel” and local individuals “who are attracted to that lifestyle.” Judge Stadtmueller explained that while incarceration is expensive, a substantial sentence was necessary given the nature and circumstances of the defendant’s crimes. The Court noted that while fentanyl is not the most expensive drug available, it is “the most deadly” and responsible for the most overdose deaths in the community.
The Court also underscored the “undeniable association between drug trafficking and the loss of innocent lives” and noted the very short period that had elapsed between the defendant’s release from his prior sentence in Arizona and the drug trafficking at issue in this case. Finally, Judge Stadtmueller emphasized the “critically important” need to protect the public from this defendant, describing this consideration as “front and center” of the Court’s sentencing analysis.First Assistant U.S. Attorney Schimel stated, “Thousands of people in our state have died from fentanyl poisoning, and by 2021 was the leading cause of death for 18 to 45 year-olds. Those who bring this drug into our communities and profit off the death, destruction and violence associated with the fentanyl trade must be locked up.”
“This investigation and sentence underscore the strength of coordination between federal, state and local partners in identifying and dismantling those responsible for distributing fentanyl," said John McGarry, assistant special agent in charge of DEA Milwaukee District Office. "The DEA will continue to prioritize these cases to disrupt supply chains and protect our communities from this deadly drug.”
Chief Patrick Mitchell of the West Allis Police Department stated, “This sentence should serve as a warning to drug traffickers that the federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in Wisconsin are unified in our efforts to hold individuals accountable for the destruction caused by drug trafficking.”
“The sentencing of Jose Cardenas-Salcido sends a clear message in how critical a role the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and its law enforcement partners play in protecting American consumers from illegal narcotics being shipped via the U.S. Mail. U.S. Postal Inspectors are committed to continuing our work to dismantle drug trafficking operations to keep USPS customers and employees safe from drug traffickers who favor profit over human lives,” stated Acting Inspector-in-Charge Nicholas Bucciarelli of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Chicago Division.
This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the West Allis Police Department, and the United States Postal Inspection Service. It was prosecuted by members of the U.S. Attorney’s Office including Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Knight.
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Illinois Man Pleads Guilty to Failure to File and to Pay Employment TaxesRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that George Dilles (age 55) of Inverness, Illinois, pled guilty to one count of failure to truthfully account for and pay employment taxes to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), in violation of 26 U.S.C. § 7202. On April 20, 2026, the district court accepted Dilles’ guilty plea.
According to the plea agreement, Dilles was the president and part-owner of NG Enterprises, Inc., a company that provided elderly home personal care in the Milwaukee area and over time employed from 50 to 110 workers. Dilles was required to withhold federal income taxes, Social Security taxes, and Medicare taxes from his employees’ wages, hold those amounts in trust, and pay them over to the IRS. Additionally, he was responsible for filing quarterly tax returns (Forms 941) reporting those amounts to the IRS, and for paying the employer’s matching portion of Social Security and Medicare taxes. For 17 quarters in tax years 2019 through 2023, Dilles willfully failed to file Forms 941 and to pay over the taxes due. Including all relevant conduct, the loss to the IRS totaled more than $1.2 million.
Dilles’ sentencing is scheduled for June 26, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. before United States District Court Judge J.P. Stadtmueller. At sentencing, he faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, as well as a term of supervised release after any imprisonment.
IRS, Criminal Investigation, investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. Scully is prosecuting.
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U.S. Attorney’s Office Recognizes Crime Victims’ Rights Week, Reaffirms Commitment to Supporting Victims and Strengthening the Justice SystemRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, in recognition of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Crime Victims’ Rights Week, joined the Department in reaffirming a nationwide commitment to protecting victims’ rights, expanding access to services, and strengthening the justice system’s response to those impacted by crime.
Attorney Schimel stated, “Frankly, almost no one chooses to be in a courthouse unless their job requires it. For most individuals, being part of the criminal justice process stems from choices or actions they have taken. But that is not the case for crime victims. Crime victims are drawn into the justice system through no fault of their own. They are there because of someone else’s actions—someone else’s decisions. It is, at its core, unfair.”
Although the justice system strives to make the process as supportive, respectful, and restorative as possible, we must acknowledge that there is still work to be done. Too often, victims leave the process feeling frustrated, unheard, or even re-traumatized. These realities remind us that progress is ongoing and that improvement is necessary.“Importantly, the progress that has been made did not happen by chance. It has been driven by survivors—individuals who, in the face of hardship, have courageously spoken out and demanded the justice and dignity they deserve. Their voices have shaped reforms and strengthened protections for others” stated Attorney Schimel.
During Crime Victims’ Rights Week, we pause to recognize and honor that courage and resilience. We also take this opportunity to recommit ourselves to the work that remains. Ensuring fairness, compassion, and meaningful support for victims must continue to be a priority.
We also extend our sincere gratitude to victim advocates and service providers. Their dedication helps bring humanity and understanding into what can otherwise feel like an overwhelming and intimidating system. Their work makes a difference every day.
Attorney Schimel stated, “As we reflect this week, let us not only acknowledge how far we have come, but also renew our commitment to building a justice system that truly serves and supports every victim.”
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Appleton Clinic to Pay over $380,000 to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Relating to the Marketing and Use of Electric Stimulation DevicesRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that Apple Medical Clinic and its principal, Dr. Michael Johnson, agreed to remit a total of $382,362.95 to the United States to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act (“FCA”), 31 U.S.C. §§ 3729-3733, by causing the submission of false claims to Medicare for electrical muscle stimulation, vitamin injections, and other related services that were not medically reasonable or necessary. The settlement amount is based on their ability to pay and consists of a $175,000 payment and the United States’ retention of $207,362.95 held by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Located in Appleton, Wisconsin, Apple Medical Clinic (“Apple”) offered outpatient treatment to block pain using the RST Sanexas neoGEN-Series device (the “Sanexas”)—an electric stimulation device developed by Nevada-based RST-Sanexas, Inc. (“RST”)—in conjunction with vitamin blend injections and other ancillary services, such as epidermal nerve fiber density testing.
These combined treatments, and the way they were administered, were not medically necessary and not covered by Medicare. Nevertheless, Dr. Johnson advertised them as covered by and billable to the Medicare Program. Dr. Johnson was also a major national distributor of the Sanexas and marketed the device for indications outside its FDA clearance and contrary to National and Local Coverage Determinations.
In particular, National Coverage Determination 160.7.1 states that “[e]lectrical nerve stimulation treatments furnished by a physician in his/her office, by a physical therapist, or outpatient clinic are excluded from coverage . . . .” Protocols for the use of the Sanexas with vitamin injections were formulated to maximize profit without regard for medical necessity.RST previously resolved False Claims Act allegations against it, along with its owners and affiliates, in a related agreement to pay $1.5 million to the United States. More information about this settlement and the electronic stimulation National Initiative spearheaded by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania may be found here: RST-Sanexas, Inc. and Its Owners Agree to Pay $1.5 Million; and U.S. Attorney Announces Additional Enforcement Action as Part of National Effort to Combat Electrical Stimulation Fraud.
The matter was handled in the Eastern District of Wisconsin by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lisa Yun and Michael Carter. The overall 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 Offices for the Eastern and Western Districts of Pennsylvania and the Eastern District of Wisconsin. Investigative support and assistance was provided by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General.
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Previously Deported Alien Sentenced in Largest Cocaine Seizure in Green Bay HistoryRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on April 14, 2026, United States District Judge Byron B. Conway sentenced Ruben Salgado-Espinoza (age: 51) to 169 months of imprisonment for conspiring to distribute cocaine and illegally re-entering the United States after being removed.
According to court records, Salgado-Espinoza, a twice deported Mexican National, led a large-scale drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing hundreds of kilograms of cocaine. He operated from a compound in Rockford, Illinois, where he received bulk shipments of cocaine from a source of supply in Mexico. Salgado-Espinoza also modified vehicles to include sophisticated hidden compartments—commonly referred to as “trap cars”—designed to conceal and transport illegal drugs. He sold these vehicles to other drug distributors to facilitate distribution.
On April 22, 2025, during an undercover operation, Salgado-Espinoza was arrested in Green Bay, Wisconsin, in possession of approximately 30 kilograms of cocaine, which constitutes the largest cocaine seizure in Green Bay history. Following his arrest, the defendant admitted that he was unlawfully present in the United States and had distributed between 18 and 35 kilograms of cocaine per month over the past 18 months. The cocaine attributed to the defendant has an estimated street value of several million dollars.
Salgado-Espinoza unlawfully entered the United States and was previously removed in 1998 and 2002. Upon completion of his 169-month sentence, he will again be removed to Mexico.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Schimel stated, “this case demonstrates why we must keep our border secure. The United States twice deported this defendant, and he came back again, bringing with him the largest amount of cocaine ever seized in the history of the Green Bay area. He should have been prevented from setting foot on U.S. soil again. The drugs he trafficked delivered great suffering to countless people struggling with addiction, as well as the pervasive violence and other crime that accompanies the illegal drug trade. This time, the defendant will rightly serve a very long time in prison before he will be once again removed from our country. Hopefully this time we will ensure he never returns.”
“This sentence sends a clear message: those who lead large-scale drug trafficking operations will be identified, prosecuted, and held accountable," said John McGarry, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of Drug Enforcement Administration Milwaukee District Office. "The DEA remains steadfast in working with our partners to dismantle these organizations and protect our communities.”This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Green Bay Resident Office, with assistance from the Brown County Drug Task Force, the Lake Winnebago Area Metropolitan Enforcement Group – Drug Unit (LWAM), the Wisconsin Department of Justice – Division of Criminal Investigation, the Wisconsin State Patrol, and the DEA Phoenix and Rockford Divisions. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alex Duros.
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Public Affairs Officer Steve Caballero
(414) 297-1700
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Franklin Man Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud and Filing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that Nael Jabbar (age 47) of Franklin, Wisconsin, pled guilty on April 14, 2026, to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1341, and one count of filing a false tax return, in violation of 26 U.S.C. § 7206(1).
Since 2005, Jabbar owned and operated Hot Spot Super Market (Hot Spot) in Milwaukee, which was authorized to accept benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). He signed documents for Hot Spot agreeing to comply with all program requirements. From 2021 through 2024, he defrauded the program by exchanging benefits for cash, giving SNAP beneficiaries half of the transaction in cash while he billed the program for the full amount. The government will argue at sentencing that Jabbar’s scheme caused a loss of more than $1.6 million.
Jabbar also signed and submitted to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) individual income tax returns (Forms 1040) that did not report all the income he received in 2020 through 2022. During those years, he transferred approximately $611,000 from business bank accounts to his personal accounts and then used the funds for personal expenses such as travel, vacations, retail purchases, and payments on personal loans and credit cards. Jabbar’s filing of false Forms 1040 caused a total tax loss to the IRS of more than $87,000.
Jabbar’s sentencing is scheduled for July 28, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. At sentencing, he faces up to twenty years in prison and a $250,000 fine on count one, as well as three years in prison and a $250,000 fine on count two. He also faces a term of supervised release after imprisonment.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, and IRS, Criminal Investigation, investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. Scully is prosecuting.
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Public Affairs Officer Steve Caballero
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Texas Man Indicted for Production of Child Pornography Involving Three Children in the Eastern District of WisconsinRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant United States Attorney of the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on April 7, 2026, a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment charging Axis C. Williams. (age: 21) of Aransas Pass, Texas, with production of child pornography, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2251(a).
According to court records, Williams is charged with meeting a juvenile online and causing her and two other juveniles to engage in sexually explicit conduct, record it, and send him the recordings.
If convicted of either count in the indictment, Williams faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment and up to a maximum of 30 years’ imprisonment. He also faces a $250,000 fine and five years to life terms of supervised release on each count.
This case was investigated by the St. Francis Police Department, Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, and Homeland Security Investigations – Corpus Christi. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Abbey M. Marzick.
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 his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Public Affairs Officer Steve Caballero(414) 297-1700
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Graduate Student from Colorado Indicted for Sexual Exploitation of Minors and CyberstalkingRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on April 7, 2026, a federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment charging Chandan M. Bhangale (age: 29) with two counts of attempted sexual exploitation of minors from the Fox Valley region and one count of cyberstalking.
According to court records, Bhangale was a graduate student studying computer science at Colorado State University. He is originally from Pune, Maharashtra, India, and is legally present in the United States via a student visa.
Bhangale is alleged to have targeted minors through popular social media and online messaging platforms to groom and extort them. Court records indicate that Bhangale gained the victims’ trust, collected personal information about them, induced them to produce child sexual abuse material (“CSAM”), and then used blackmail to coerce their compliance with his demands. It is further alleged that Bhangale convinced the underage victims that if they did not comply with his demands, there would be serious consequences, ranging from public disclosure of their explicit videos to death or serious bodily harm to the victims or their immediate family members. Through his manipulation, Bhangale coerced the victims to engage in self-harm, cut their own hair, and produce and transmit CSAM.
If convicted of either count of attempted sexual exploitation of a minor, Bhangale faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison for sexual exploitation of a minor. He also faces up to 5 years in prison if convicted for cyberstalking.
This case was investigated by the Outagamie County Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (Denver Field Office, Milwaukee Field Office, and Green Bay Resident Agency), the Appleton Police Department, the Colorado State University Police Department, the Hortonville Police Department, and the Wisconsin Department of Justice – Division of Criminal Investigation. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alex Duros.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative led by the U.S. Department of Justice 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 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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For further information contact:Public Affairs Officer Steve Caballero
(414) 297-1700
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U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin Commemorates Sexual Assault Awareness MonthRead the Press Release
This April, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin joins the U.S. Department of Justice, the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), communities nationwide, and Tribal nations in observing Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM).
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is proud to stand with survivors and support efforts to prevent sexual violence. In Fiscal Year 2025, the OVW awarded more than $5.6 million to Wisconsin grantees through various OVW grant programs.
These programs include the Tribal Sexual Assault Services Program, the Legal Assistance for Victims Program, and the Transitional Housing Assistance Grants for Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Program.
“Survivors of sexual assault deserve safety, dignity, and justice,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Schimel. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to supporting and seeking justice for survivors. We will continue to work with our federal, state and local partners to ensure survivors find a justice system that is compassionate and ready to help provide for their safety and healing.”
We encourage everyone in our district to learn more about sexual assault and take steps to support friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors who have suffered these crimes. By understanding the signs of abuse and connecting victims to available resources, we can all play a role in creating safer, supportive communities.
The Department of Justice funds essential victim services through its grants. Grantees of OVW and the Department’s Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) run programs that support victims of sexual assault. There are many services available to help victims, including the Sexual Assault Hotline, 1-800-656-HOPE (4673), and the StrongHearts Native Helpline, 1-844-7NATIVE (762-8483). In addition, OVW’s website has a “Resources for Survivors” page, which lists state sexual assault coalitions that can direct victims to local resources and services, as well as opportunities to get involved.# # #
For further information contact:
Public Affairs Officer Steve Caballero
(414) 297-1700
Follow us on XMilwaukee Man Indicted for Domestic Violence Related Arson and CyberstalkingRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on March 24, 2026, a federal grand jury returned an indictment alleging that Dante D. Bracey, Jr. (age: 35) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, committed three federal felonies: (1) Count One: arson, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 844(i); (2) Count Two: cyberstalking, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2261A(2); and (3) Count Three: use of fire to commit a federal felony, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 844(h).
Bracey is alleged to have intentionally set fire to a multi-unit residential apartment building in Milwaukee on January 10, 2026. He is also charged with engaging in a course of conduct via telephone that caused the adult victim to fear death or serious bodily injury and to suffer substantial emotional distress.If convicted of Count One, Bracey faces a mandatory minimum of five years’ imprisonment and a maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment. If convicted of Count Two, he faces up to five years’ imprisonment. If convicted of Count Three, Bracey faces a mandatory 10 years’ imprisonment, up to life imprisonment, consecutive to any sentence on Count Two.
This case was investigated by the Milwaukee Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Abbey M. Marzick.
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 his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Public Affairs Officer Steve Caballero
(414) 297-1700
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Former Milwaukee Police Officer Sentenced to Five Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on March 24, 2026, Juwon Madlock (age: 30) was sentenced to five years of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, by United States District Judge Brett H. Ludwig.
Publicly filed documents reflect that Madlock, while serving as a Milwaukee Police Officer, provided ammunition to a felon; possessed an automatic weapon; helped a street gang hide its stolen vehicles; and lied to the FBI. He pled guilty to offenses related to that misconduct in December 2025.
Beyond the offenses of conviction, Madlock also sent pictures of his fellow officers to a gang member and offered to sell rifles to that same gang member. Madlock counseled wanted criminals on how to flee from law enforcement. Most egregiously, Madlock told a violent gang where to find its rivals, knowing those gang members would use his information to shoot and kill those same rivals.
In its sentencing commentary, the government emphasized the need for a serious sentence to promote respect for the law. The government noted that Madlock “knew what he was doing, and he knew it was wrong. He nevertheless chose to imperil the public, betray his colleagues, and violate his oath. His crimes were novel, aggravated, and brazen.”
While imposing sentence, Judge Ludwig described the case as “tragic” and “sad,” given both the defendant’s crimes and the advantages Madlock enjoyed relative to other defendants. Judge Ludwig emphasized that the defendant was “sworn to uphold the law,” but instead he “violated it.” Judge Ludwig also noted that Madlock’s crime was not a “mistake”; instead, he had “opportunities” to “come to” his “senses and stop,” which he ignored. Judge Ludwig explained that Madlock was “lucky” the men whose information he shared were not hurt, because if they had been, Madlock could have been “party to a murder.”
“The defendant used his position as a police officer to provide information to gang members to assist them in perpetrating crimes against the very community he swore to protect and serve,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Schimel. “For a sworn officer to traffic in law enforcement sensitive information, weapons and drugs while on duty is simply unconscionable, and he belongs in prison.”
"Juwon Madlock's betrayal of the trust he held as a police officer was reprehensible. The FBI will continue to work tirelessly to hold accountable those who deceive the public’s trust and assist criminal organizations,” said FBI Milwaukee Special Agent in Charge Alan Karr. “The FBI and our partners will aggressively investigate those who violate the public trust and their duty to serve.”
“The Milwaukee Police Department appreciates the work of our partners in the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation on this case," said Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman. “As a department, we firmly believe that it is our duty to enforce laws when individuals decide to cause harm to others, and that includes enforcing those laws even when it is our members causing that harm. No one is above the law.”This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Milwaukee Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin Knight and Patricia Daugherty.
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For further information contact:
Public Affairs Officer Steve Caballero
(414) 297-1700
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Owner of Now-Closed Milwaukee Prenatal Care Coordination Company Sentenced to 60 Months’ Imprisonment for Healthcare Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on March 19, 2026, Lakia Jackson (age 36) was sentenced to 60 months’ incarceration for committing a healthcare fraud scheme through which she stole $2,655,463.63 from a Medicaid benefit meant to help at-risk pregnant women and women with young children.
On December 2, 2025, Jackson pleaded guilty to one count of healthcare fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. The guilty plea followed a 20-count indictment that was issued on October 16, 2024. When Jackson pleaded guilty, she acknowledged that she engaged in a scheme to defraud Wisconsin Medicaid by, among other things, offering women kickbacks in exchange for their Medicaid numbers and falsely billing Wisconsin Medicaid as though she provided reimbursable services—almost always the maximum permitted per month under the program—when, in fact, she and her employees provided few to no covered services.
As part of her plea agreement, Jackson acknowledged that “by committing this fraudulent scheme, she enriched herself at the expense of the community she was supposed to be helping, and that she thereby reduced the resources available to mothers and babies at risk for negative birth outcomes, including infant death.”
Jackson’s sentencing followed Chief Judge Pamela Pepper’s sentencing of two other women this year who engaged in similar fraudulent schemes related to the prenatal care coordination benefit. Those women, Precious Cruse and Markita Barnes, were sentenced by Chief Judge Pepper to 111 months’ imprisonment and 121 months’ imprisonment, respectively.
In announcing the sentence, Chief Judge Pepper discussed the substantial negative impact Jackson’s fraud scheme, and others like it in the Milwaukee area, have had not only on public trust in government benefit programs, but also on the availability of the benefit program she defrauded. Chief Judge Pepper noted that, unlike Barnes and Cruse, Jackson fully accepted responsibility for her conduct and expressed significant remorse for her crimes.
In addition to the 60-month period of incarceration, Chief Judge Pepper issued a money judgment of forfeiture in the amount of $2,361,799.17 and ordered Ms. Jackson to pay restitution to Medicaid in the same amount.
“Judge Pepper summarized the seriousness of this very well when she observed that the defendant took a huge amount of money designed to help people in great need and that, due to this massive fraud, not only are millions of dollars in public benefits gone, but decision-makers in government are reluctant to fund programs like this in the future. Many at-risk pregnant women and new moms will not get the help they need,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Schimel. “We must learn a lesson from these cases: public benefit programs must have barriers in place to prevent fraud. Unfortunately, the lack of safeguards made these massive thefts far too easy.”
“Lakia Jackson defrauded the American people and stole from programs meant to help at-risk mothers and young children by offering kickbacks and falsely billing Medicaid. The FBI will aggressively pursue individuals who cheat our healthcare programs,” said FBI Milwaukee Special Agent in Charge Alan Karr. “The FBI, along with our partners, will work diligently to identify, investigate, and bring justice to those who commit fraud and steal from the American taxpayer.”
“Public benefits can provide critical resources to those in need of them,” said Attorney General Kaul. “We are committed to holding individuals who defraud Medicaid accountable.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, along with the Wisconsin Department of Justice Medicaid Fraud Control and Elder Abuse Unit, investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Julie F. Stewart and Kate M. Biebel prosecuted the case.
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For further information contact:
Public Affairs Officer Steve Caballero
(414) 297-1700
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Owner of Now-Closed Milwaukee Prenatal Care Coordination Company Sentenced to 121 Months’ Imprisonment for Healthcare Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on March 17, 2026, Markita Barnes (age 33) was sentenced to 121 months’ incarceration for committing a healthcare fraud scheme through which she stole $2,361,799.17 from a Medicaid benefit program meant to help at-risk pregnant women and women with young children.
Following a two-week trial in November 2025, a federal jury convicted Barnes of ten counts of healthcare fraud, three counts of false statements related to healthcare matters, three counts of violating the anti-kickback statute, one count of attempting to obstruct a healthcare fraud investigation, one count of money laundering, and two counts of aggravated identity theft.
In announcing the sentence, Chief United States District Judge Pamela Pepper discussed the substantial negative impact Barnes’ fraud scheme, and others like it in the Milwaukee area, has had not only on public trust in government benefit programs, but on the availability of the benefit program she defrauded. Chief Judge Pepper noted that, because of significant fraud surrounding this benefit program, the state of Wisconsin has scaled back the benefit to such an extent that it is largely not available to the women who actually need it.
Chief Judge Pepper also explained that the significant sentence of incarceration she imposed was necessary to account for the seriousness of Barnes’s conduct and to send a message of deterrence to others considering engaging in fraud against hard-working taxpayers.
In addition to the 121-month period of incarceration, Chief Judge Pepper issued a money judgment of forfeiture in the amount of $2,361,799.17 and ordered Barnes to pay restitution to Medicaid in the same amount.
“The substantial sentence holds Ms. Barnes accountable for her very serious crimes. She stole limited public resources that were intended for our neighbors most in need of public assistance,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Schimel. “Many people in need will not receive help due to the defendant’s actions. This is a strong message to other fraudsters that we are coming for them, and they will be punished.”
“The FBI is dedicated to ensuring those who defraud the American people through healthcare fraud face justice,” said FBI Milwaukee Special Agent in Charge Alan Karr. “Markita Barnes devised a scheme in which she defrauded Medicaid of millions of dollars at the expense of at-risk mothers and children. The lengthy sentence and order of restitution should serve as a warning for those who seek to enrich themselves through fraud. The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to combat healthcare fraud and root out those who steal from the American people.”
“The defendant’s appalling conduct undermined the ability of vulnerable individuals to get support,” said Attorney General Josh Kaul. “This outcome demonstrates how seriously government benefits fraud is taken.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation along with the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Medicaid Fraud Control and Elder Abuse Unit, the DOJ Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Julie F. Stewart and Kate M. Biebel prosecuted the case.
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Public Affairs Officer Steve Caballero
(414) 297-1700
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Manitowoc Resident Indicted on Child Obscenity, Production of Child Pornography, and Commission of a Felony Sex Offense by a Registered Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced that on March 17, 2026, Brandon M. Lemerond (Age: 20) of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, was indicted on two counts of Obscene Visual Depictions of the Sexual Abuse of Children in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1466A, a count of Production of Child Pornography in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2251(a), and three counts of Commission of a Felony Sex Offense by an Individual Required to Register as a Sexual Offender in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2260A.
The indictment alleges that the violations occurred on various dates in July 2025. If convicted of the child obscenity offense, Lemerond faces a mandatory minimum15 years’ imprisonment and up to 40 years’ imprisonment. The production of child pornography charge carries a mandatory minimum 25 years’ imprisonment and up to a maximum of 50 years in federal prison. If convicted of committing a new criminal offense against a child while on the sex offender registry, the defendant must be given a mandatory 10 years’ imprisonment consecutive to any other sentence. He may also be fined up to $250,000 and must serve from 5 years to a lifetime on supervised release.
This case was investigated by the City of Manitowoc Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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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Public Affairs Officer Steve Caballero
(414) 297-1700
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Milwaukee Man Sentenced to 264 Months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on March 11, 2026, Daniel L. Anderson (age: 56) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was sentenced to 264 months in federal prison by United States District Judge Lynn Adelman.
Anderson previously pled guilty to receipt of child pornography with a predicate (prior) qualifying conviction. Court records indicate that Anderson solicited and paid his co-defendant money in exchange for producing and sending him child sexual abuse material of an 11-year-old child, in both the Milwaukee and Memphis, Tennessee, areas. Court records also indicate that Anderson has prior convictions in Wisconsin and Alabama related to the sexual assault and exploitation of children.
Following his release from prison, Anderson will spend 5 years on supervised release. Anderson will also be required to register as a sex offender under state and federal law.
“Law enforcement has no higher priority than protecting our children. This predator has been committing crimes against children for nearly 25 years,” said U.S. Attorney Schimel. “The only way to stop him is to lock him up so he has no opportunity to have any contact in any way with any child. This conviction and sentence will finally end his predatory behavior.”
“The FBI will relentlessly pursue those who exploit and endanger children,” said FBI Milwaukee Special Agent in Charge Alan Karr. “Mr. Anderson is a repeat child sex offender, and our community is safer as a result of this sentencing. The FBI works tirelessly with our partners to identify and hold accountable those who take advantage of our most vulnerable.”
This case was investigated by the FBI and City of Memphis Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Abbey M. Marzick and William T. Berens.
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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For further information contact:
Public Affairs Officer Steve Caballero
(414) 297-1700
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Milwaukee Fraudster Sentenced to 11 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on March 10, 2026, Lenard R. Monroe (age: 52) received a total sentence of 132 months in federal prison for Medicaid fraud, violations of the antikickback statute, wire fraud, and money laundering. The sentence, imposed by Chief United States District Judge Pamela Pepper, came after a federal jury found Monroe guilty of all charges following a six-day trial in October 2025.
The trial evidence established that over the course of at least three years, Monroe’s former business, Wellness Personal Care Service, falsely billed Medicaid for thousands of hours of home healthcare services that were never performed. Monroe also paid codefendant Phillip Daniels more than $600,000 in illegal kickbacks to induce him to refer clients to the phony agency, and he used his status as a registered Medicaid provider to fraudulently apply for and receive almost a quarter of a million dollars in COVID relief funds earmarked for healthcare businesses that, unlike his own, had suffered losses due to the pandemic. Finally, Monroe spent money obtained from his criminal conduct to make extravagant personal purchases, including a limited production drag racing car called a Dodge Demon.
At sentencing, Monroe was ordered to pay nearly 3 million dollars in restitution: $2,543,216.62 to Wisconsin Medicaid and $247,167.90 to the United States Department of Health and Human Service’s Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). After completing his prison sentence, Monroe also will be on supervised release for three years.
“Fraud like this takes resources from every one of us, especially those Americans most in need of the public’s help,” said U.S. Attorney Schimel. “The strong sentence in this case not only holds the defendant accountable but also sends a powerful message to other potential thieves who would defraud the goodwill of the American people.”
“COVID relief funds were meant to be a lifeline to keep legitimate businesses open, employees paid, and communities afloat during a national crisis,” said Adam Jobes, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Chicago Field Office. “Leonard Monroe saw that lifeline as an opportunity to steal. By exploiting programs meant to help people survive an unprecedented moment, he committed fraud, laundered the proceeds, and tried to hide the money trail. IRS Criminal Investigation and its law enforcement partners followed that trail, exposed the scheme, and ensured Monroe will spend the next 11 years paying for his crimes.”
“Abusing public assistance programs is a serious matter, and those who do so can face severe consequences,” said Attorney General Josh Kaul. “I’m thankful to those who worked to get justice and for the collaboration among agencies in this case.”
The case was investigated by the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Medicaid Fraud Control and Elder Abuse Unit, the DOJ Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), Internal Revenue Service -Criminal Investigation, with assistance from the North Central High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, comprised of officers and agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Milwaukee Police Department, West Allis Police Department, South Milwaukee Police Department, Wisconsin DCI, and the United States Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorneys Erica Lounsberry and Elizabeth Monfils prosecuted the case.
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Public Affairs Officer Steve Caballero
(414) 297-1700
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Manitowoc Resident Indicted for Transportation of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on March 3, 2026, a federal grand jury indicted Zachariah R. Breihof (Age: 27) of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, for transportation of child pornography, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252A(a)(1).
The indictment alleges that in January 2025, Breihof “did knowingly transport and ship in interstate commerce … a visual depiction of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct.” If convicted of the offense, Breihof faces a mandatory 5 years’ imprisonment and up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a maximum $250,000 fine, and from 5 years to a lifetime on supervised release.
This case was investigated by the City of Manitowoc Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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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For further information contact:Public Affairs Officer Steve Caballero
(414) 297-1700
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Kenosha Man Pleads Guilty to Threatening to Murder Federal OfficerRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced today that Andrew Stanton (Age 38) of Kenosha, Wisconsin, was convicted of threatening to murder a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer who was serving on the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Joint Terrorism Task Force. Stanton pled guilty to violating Title 18, United States Code, Sections 115(a)(1)(B) and 115(b)(4), and that plea was accepted by the District Court. Stanton made his murder threat to interfere with his victim’s ability to perform his official duties as a federal law enforcement officer and to retaliate against him for the past performance of his duties.
Court records indicate that on August 29, 2025, Stanton posted a video to TikTok in which he stated, “We’re not getting through to them [politicians] with using our words. That’s never gonna happen. You have to use bullets.” In a separate video posted that same day, Stanton superimposed text over a video of himself, and that text stated, “I imply the very TRUE statement that a violent state can only be stopped with violence in return. / Also, I think we should be OFFING federal agents / Also, I support ‘terrorism’ by their standard. Anti-imperialist by mine.”
Members of the FBI Task Force attempted to interview Stanton, prompting him to post additional calls for violence on TikTok. These included a specific threat to the CBP Officer who had reached out to him. On October 4, 2025, Stanton posted a video to TikTok in which he stated, “What the f**k are we even talking about here? If ICE shows up to your neighborhood – I’m sorry, I’m just gonna say it. It’s time to start f**king shooting at them. If they show up to your neighborhood, and I’m talking to you, Border Patrol Officer Joe, it’s time we start shooting at y’all.”
Stanton also repeatedly posted images of weapons and body armor on TikTok, along with additional violent messages. Stanton’s videos, including his threat to the CPB Officer, were viewed hundreds of thousands of times on TikTok.
Stanton’s sentencing is scheduled for June 18th, 2026. At sentencing, Stanton faces a term of imprisonment of up to ten years, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin Taibleson is prosecuting it.
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For further information contact:
Public Affairs Officer Steve Caballero
(414) 297-1700
Follow us on XWaukesha Medical Equipment Company Agrees to Pay Nearly $7 Million to Resolve Allegations of False Billings to Federal Healthcare ProgramsRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced today that Kinex Medical Company, LLC, agreed to pay $6,925,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by submitting false claims to Medicare, TRICARE, and other federal programs.
Based in Waukesha, Wisconsin, Kinex sells and distributes durable medical equipment, including knee, shoulder, and hip braces, to patients across the United States. After receiving information from a whistleblower, the United States investigated and alleged that the company submitted false claims to Medicare, TRICARE, the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), and the Office of Workers Compensation Programs of the Department of Labor (OWCP).
Specifically, the United States alleged that from 2019 through 2024, Kinex provided patients covered by these programs with medical braces that the patients did not need and then billed Medicare, TRICARE, FEHBP, and OWCP as if the braces had been necessary. The United States also alleged that Kinex convinced the patients to accept the braces by waiving costs like patient co-pays and by giving the patients other equipment for free.In addition to paying nearly $7 million to resolve the allegations concerning these false claims, Kinex also entered into a Corporate Integrity Agreement with the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG), to ensure compliance with applicable regulations going forward.
“Medicare, TRICARE, and other federal programs only pay for medical equipment that patients actually need,” said United States Attorney Schimel. “Kinex, however, induced patients to receive braces that neither the patients nor their doctors thought they needed, all in an effort to receive taxpayer money. This settlement imposes a significant penalty on Kinex and will make taxpayers whole for the company’s wrongdoing.”
“Billing taxpayers for medically unnecessary equipment and undermining program safeguards through improper waivers of patient cost sharing can distort medical decision making and erode trust in our healthcare system. Today’s settlement underscores our commitment to protecting federal healthcare programs and the patients they serve,” said Mario M. Pinto, Special Agent in Charge of the HHS-OIG. “Our agency will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to hold suppliers accountable when they place profits ahead of patient need.”
“Kinex engaged in a scheme to defraud the American taxpayers. The agreement by Kinex to settle this matter and repay over $6.9 million demonstrates the breadth of their fraudulent activity,” said FBI Milwaukee Special Agent in Charge Alan Karr. “The FBI along with our partners will continue to aggressively pursue those who steal from the American people and those engaged in healthcare fraud schemes.”
“This investigation underscores our commitment to preserving the integrity of the TRICARE program and protecting taxpayer-funded health benefits essential to military readiness,” said Special Agent-in-Charge Jason J. Sargenski of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Southeast Field Office. “Fraud that diverts resources from TRICARE undermines the care promised to service members, retirees, and their families. DCIS remains focused on advancing accountability and deterrence in support of the Department’s mission.”
“Patients expect that the medical equipment received during their treatment is necessary for their care and recovery, not a means for medical companies to profit,” said Derek M. Holt, Special Agent in Charge at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management Office of the Inspector General (OPM-OIG). “We thank our agents and law enforcement partners for their work to hold these companies accountable.”
Because the government’s investigation resulted from a whistleblower complaint filed under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act, the whistleblower will receive a share of the settlement. The lawsuit is captioned United States ex rel. Geboy v. Kinex Medical Company, LLC, Case No. 24-cv-1461, and is pending in the District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.
Assistant United States Attorneys Nia Schmaltz and Michael Carter represented the government in this matter. The HHS-OIG, FBI, OPM-OIG, DCIS, and the United States Postal Service, Office of the Inspector General, assisted in the investigation. The settlement agreement states allegations only; Kinex does not admit liability for the allegations.
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For further information contact:
Public Affairs Officer Steve Caballero
(414) 297-1700
Follow us on XTwo Wild 100s Gang Members Convicted of Murder for Hire Resulting in DeathRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced today that Ronnell Bowman of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Houston, Texas, and Lawrence Turner, of Milwaukee, were convicted yesterday after a week-long jury trial. Both Bowman and Turner were convicted of murder for hire resulting in death, conspiracy to commit murder for hire resulting in death, and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence. Bowman also was convicted of conspiracy to commit violations of federal firearms laws, attempted witness tampering, and conspiracy to obstruct justice.
At trial, the evidence showed that between March 15, 2021, and April 5, 2021, Bowman and Turner, both members of the Wild 100s gang arranged the murder of N.B. in exchange for Bowman’s offer to pay $10,000. Turner and another gang member, who has already plead guilty to the April 5, 2021, murder of N.B. who suffered more than two dozen gunshot wounds. The evidence showed that Bowman and Turner targeted N.B. and murdered him, because of his believed association with a rival of the Wild 100s gang. Both men face mandatory life imprisonment. Bowman and Turner also were convicted of using, carrying and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, namely, the murder for hire. That count carries a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years and a maximum penalty of up to life in prison.
Trial evidence further showed that Bowman agreed with others to violate federal firearms laws including possession of machineguns, the transfer of firearms to felons, and the possession of firearms by felons. Bowman also attempted to intimidate, threaten or corruptly persuade witnesses and conspired with others to attempt to obstruct justice and impede the jury trial in this case. The conspiracy to commit violations of federal firearms laws carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and the witness tampering counts each carry a maximum term of 20 years in prison.
Before trial, both Bowman and Turner pled guilty to participating in a mail fraud conspiracy to defraud the Department of Labor through the submission of false and fraudulent applications for benefits under programs such as the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program and other unemployment insurance programs. In total, Bowman, Turner and their other conspirators wrongfully obtained millions of federal dollars through their fraudulent activities and used the funds to purchase, among other things, firearms, controlled substances, jewelry, and vacations, and to solicit murder for hire.
“Our community will now be free from the terror inflicted by these violent gang members, and N.B.’s loved ones will finally get the justice for which they have been waiting for years,” said United States Attorney Schimel. “The senseless violence perpetrated by this gang was financed in large part by truly shocking fraud in which these defendants and their fellow gang members stole millions of dollars from a COVID-era benefits program. The convictions in this case were made possible by the very strong collaboration between federal, state and local law enforcement partners. I have been stunned since my appointment as U.S. Attorney at the extraordinary amount fraud committed against the hard-working taxpayers of this nation that has been uncovered by our law enforcement team. Taking down violent offenders and fraudsters will continue to be our top priorities.”
“The FBI is committed to aggressively investigating and dismantling violent criminal gangs. Based on evidence presented at trial, Ronnell Bowman and Lawrence Turner were involved in a murder-for-hire scheme in 2021 that resulted in a man’s death. Bowman and Turner were members of the Wild 100s, a violent Milwaukee street gang that used millions of dollars in fraudulently obtained COVID relief funds to support purchasing guns and drugs,” said FBI Milwaukee Special Agent in Charge Alan Karr. “The FBI is fully committed to working with our law enforcement partners to destroy the ability of violent gangs to operate in our communities.”
“This case exposed the extreme violence and lawlessness behind this gang’s actions,” said Joseph Persails, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the ATF St. Paul Field Division. “These defendants arranged a murder-for-hire, trafficked firearms, possessed machineguns, and attempted to intimidate witnesses to escape justice. I’m proud of the work by ATF special agents and our law enforcement partners who followed the evidence and ensured those responsible were held accountable.”
“These convictions are another step closer to making our community safer for everyone to live, work and play,” said Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman. “I am proud of all the hard work of everyone involved in holding these violent individuals accountable.”
These defendants were charged based on a joint and collaborative investigation by law enforcement officers from FBI, ATF, the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD), and Department of Labor-OIG, and prosecutors from the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office and the United States Attorney’s Office. This case was tried by Assistant United States Attorneys Laura Kwaterski and Michael Schindhelm.
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For further information contact:
Public Affairs Officer Steve Caballero
(414) 297-1700
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