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

FITCHBURG MAN CHARGED WITH ROBBERIES

Raequon Allen, 20, Fitchburg, Wis., is charged with three robberies of Madison-area businesses and with brandishing a firearm during two of the robberies. The indictment alleges that Allen robbed the Mobile Gas Station, Junction Road, Madison, on January 29, 2015, and in doing so, brandished a revolver. The indictment alleges that Allen robbed the Stop-N-Go Gas Station, Schroeder Road, Madison, on January 30, 2015, and in doing so, brandished a revolver. The fifth count of the indictment charges him with robbing the PDQ Gas Station, Century Avenue, Middleton, on February 1, 2015.

If convicted, Allen faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each robbery count. He faces a mandatory penalty of seven years in federal prison on the first brandishing a firearm count, to be served consecutively to any prison sentence imposed for that robbery, and a mandatory minimum penalty of 25 years on the second brandishing a firearm count, to be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed. The charges against Allen are the result of an investigation by the Madison, Middleton and Fitchburg Police Departments, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution of this case will be handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita Rumbelow.

BELOIT MAN CHARGED WITH PRODUCING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

David G. Wenzel, 57, Beloit, Wis., is charged with two counts of producing child pornography. The indictment alleges that from September 2014 to March 2015, he used a minor to produce two movies of the minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

United States Attorney John W. Vaudreuil Western District of Wisconsin If convicted, Wenzel faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 25 years in federal prison. The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the Rock County Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution of this case will be handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman.

FIREARMS DEALER CHARGED WITH FALSE ENTRIES, SELLING FIREARMS WITHOUT REQUIRED BACKGROUND CHECKS AND SELLING FIREARMS TO FELONS

Joel E. Gresmer, 55, Minocqua, Wis., was charged with 19 counts related to the sale and transfer of firearms. Gresmer was a Federal Firearms Licensee and the owner of Antique & Pawn in Minocqua. The indictment alleges that in 2012 and 2013, Gresmer sold firearms without conducting required background checks, without recording the sales in an Acquisition and Disposition log, sold firearms to a known felon, and falsified Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives forms related to the transfer of firearms.

If convicted, Gresmer faces maximum penalties of federal imprisonment of one year on each of two counts, five years on each of 15 counts, and 10 years on each of two counts. The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution of this case will be handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin F. Burke.

CLEAR LAKE MAN FACES METHAMPHETAMINE CHARGES

Brice Allen Wallace, 28, Clear Lake, Wis., is charged with three counts of distributing methamphetamine, with maintaining a place for the purpose of distributing methamphetamine, and with possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.

The indictment alleges that Wallace distributed methamphetamine on three occasions in October and November 2014, and that he used a residence in Clear Lake in November 2014 for the purpose of distributing methamphetamine. The indictment further alleges that he possessed 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on November 12, 2014, with the intent to distribute.

If convicted, Wallace faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each distribution count and the charge of maintaining a place to distribute methamphetamine. The possession of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum penalty of 40 years in federal prison. The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the St. Croix Valley Drug Task Force, Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution of this case will be handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy M. O’Shea.

MADISON MAN CHARGED WITH DISTRIBUTING HEROIN

James L. Britton, 25, Madison, Wis., is charged with four counts of distributing heroin. The indictment alleges that he distributed heroin on April 1, 6, 13, and 28, 2015.

If convicted, he 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 Dane County Narcotics Task Force and Drug Enforcement Administration. The prosecution of this case will be handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Reinhard.

VERONA MAN CHARGED WITH DEALING IN FIREARMS WITHOUT LICENSE

Joseph Jelinek, 67, Verona, Wis., is charged with dealing in firearms without being a federally licensed firearms dealer. The indictment alleges that he dealt in firearms from January 2011 to July 2014.

If convicted, Jelinek faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution of this case will be handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita Rumbelow.

SEVEN BELOIT RESIDENTS CHARGED WITH DRUG & GUN CRIMES

Seven Beloit residents who previously were charged in complaints filed in U.S. District Court with drug and gun offenses have been indicted by the grand jury on these charges. Those charged include:

    Ceasar Hernandez, 24, Beloit, is charged with four counts of distributing cocaine, one count of distributing marijuana, and with being a felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted, Hernandez faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each distribution count, and 10 years in federal prison on the gun charge. The prosecution of Hernandez will be handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Przybylinski Finn.

    Llewellyn D. Sams, 36, Beloit, is charged with distributing heroin and three counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted, Sams faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on the distribution count, and 10 years in federal prison on each gun charge. The prosecution of Sams will be handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman.

    Fabian W. Jones, 33, Beloit, is charged with three counts of distributing crack cocaine. If convicted, Jones faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count. The prosecution of Jones will be handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Meredith Duchemin.

    Paris D. Davis, 29, Beloit, is charged with three counts of distributing cocaine. If convicted, Davis faces a maximum penalty of 20 years on each count. The prosecution of Davis will be handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman.

    Leon Patterson, 48, Beloit, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. If convicted, Patterson faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. The prosecution of Patterson will be handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Przybylinski Finn.

    Patrick Maurice Little, 42, Beloit, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. If convicted, Little faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. The prosecution of Little will be handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Przybylinski Finn.

    Byron Dewayne Kidd, 20, Beloit, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. If convicted, Kidd faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. The prosecution of Kidd will be handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Jarosz.

These charges against these individuals are the result of investigations by G-ROC, a task force formed through the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Violent Crime Initiative. Its members include the FBI; Rock County Sheriff’s Office; Rock County District Attorney’s Office; Beloit Police Department; and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.