Grand Jury Returns Indictments

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

TWO MEN CHARGED WITH ARMED BANK ROBBERY

Peter Meeker, 48, Middleton, Wis., and Karl Kreier, 28, Madison, Wis., are charged with armed bank robbery. The indictment alleges that on October 11, 2014, Meeker and Kreier robbed the Bank of Poynette – Harmony Grove Branch, in Lodi, Wis. They are also charged with brandishing a firearm, specifically a loaded .38 caliber revolver, during a crime of violence.

If convicted, Meeker and Kreier face a maximum penalty of 25 years in federal prison on the armed bank robbery charge. The charge of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence carries a mandatory minimum penalty of seven years in federal prison, which would be served consecutively with any penalty imposed on the armed bank robbery charge. The charges against them are the result of an investigation by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Department, Lodi Police Department, and Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution of this case will be handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita Rumbelow.

JANESVILLE MAN CHARGED WITH MAIL FRAUD

Christopher C. Fields, 41, Janesville, Wis., is charged with five counts of mail fraud. The indictment alleges that Fields was the owner and operator of F.J. Lincoln LLC, a residential and commercial construction company operating out of Rock County, Wis., and acted as a subcontractor to Krupp General Contractors on a federal project for work performed on City Row Townhouse Apartments in Madison, Wis.

The indictment alleges that Fields submitted false Statements of Compliance for work performed on this federal project, in which he stated that he had deducted funds from paychecks of his employees and deposited them into the F.J. Lincoln Retirement Plan. The indictment alleges that from February 2010 through March 2012, Fields deducted approximately $336,261 from his employees’ wages but these deductions were never paid to the employees or deposited into the retirement plan.

If convicted, Fields faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count. The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration and U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The prosecution of this case will be handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Jarosz.

CHICAGO MAN CHARGED WITH GUN CRIME

Demetrius L. Murphy, 26, Chicago, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The indictment alleges that on October 24, 2014, he possessed a Glock 9mm pistol and 9mm ammunition.

If convicted, Murphy faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Madison Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution of this case will be handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Jarosz.