Armed Career Criminal Sentenced to 15 Years

MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Ronald Siebert, 36, Madison, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson, to a mandatory minimum 15 years in federal prison, for possessing ammunition as a convicted felon. Siebert pleaded guilty to this charge on July 31, 2018. His prison term will be followed by a three-year period of supervised release.

Surveillance at a Cabela’s store showed that on October 26, 2017, Siebert and his girlfriend went to the store and approached the counter where firearms are sold. While she remained at the counter to purchase a Taurus 9mm pistol, Siebert walked to an aisle and picked out a box of FMJ 9mm ammunition. Siebert placed the ammunition on the counter next to his girlfriend, and she purchased it with the firearm.

An informant subsequently told police that Siebert and his girlfriend sold the firearm to a felon, and the informant provided the serial number of the gun they sold. The serial number matched that of the Taurus purchased by Siebert’s girlfriend on October 26, 2017.

Siebert is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition because he has six felony convictions, including three for burglary of a building/dwelling. The burglary convictions resulted in his classification as an armed career criminal, subject to the mandatory minimum sentence.

This case has been brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Department’s program to reduce violent crime. The PSN approach involves collaboration by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and communities to prevent and deter gun violence.

The charge against Siebert was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow.