Former Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Department Sergeant Pleads Guilty to Production of Child Pornography

James L. Santelle, United States Attorney of the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced today that Philip Wentzel (age 41), formerly of West Allis, Wisconsin, and formerly a sergeant with the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Department, pleaded guilty in federal court to six counts of production of child pornography.

According to court documents, from 2009 through approximately April 2011, Wentzel (age 41), knowingly produced child pornography. Each of the six counts involved a different minor female victim. According to court records, Wentzel also used a peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing program to share images and videos of child pornography which he and others had produced.

The court set Wentzel’s sentencing for December 21, 2012. At that time, Wentzel faces a minimum of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years’ imprisonment as to each count. Wentzel also faces up to a $250,000 fine per count and a minimum of five years and up to life time of supervised release following his term of imprisonment. According to United States Attorney L. Santelle, “Allegations of criminal activity by those who are sworn to enforce the law are especially troubling as such activities are an affront to the public, the justice system, and the many hard-working and honest men and women who serve in law enforcement.”

This case is the result of an investigation led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Milwaukee Cyber Crimes Task Force, and the Milwaukee Police Department, High Technology Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Penelope L. Coblentz is prosecuting this 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.

Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Deputy Charged with Production of Child Pornography

United States Attorney James L. Santelle announced that a criminal complaint had been issued charging Philip H. Wentzel (age 41) of West Allis, Wisconsin, with production of child pornography. If convicted, Wentzel would face a minimum of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

According to the criminal complaint, Wentzel is a Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Deputy. The criminal complaint alleges that in approximately April 2011, Wentzel knowingly produced child pornography. According to the complaint, Wentzel was involved in a peer-to-peer file-sharing program known to be utilized by individuals who trade child pornography. The complaint alleges Wentzel’s profile page stated he was looking for original images of child pornography involving girls. It is further alleged that Wentzel made videos of child pornography involving prepubescent girls who appear to be sleeping and or drugged when the child pornography images were taken.

Wentzel was arrested on May 2, 2012, at the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Department. He made his initial appearance in federal court on Thursday afternoon, May 3, 2012. Wentzel was ordered detained pending trial. Wentzel will next appear in federal court on Wednesday, May 9, 2012, for a preliminary hearing.

According to United States Attorney James L. Santelle, “Our continuing, aggressive identification of people who victimize and prey upon the most vulnerable—our children—has resulted in this important prosecution of an individual who has been producing child pornography for at least two years. That some of those images depict minors being sexually assaulted aggravates the criminal conduct—and underscores the connection between abusive physical conduct and the online sharing and distribution of child pornography.”

FBI Special Agent in Charge Teresa L. Carlson stated, “The FBI works diligently to bring those who prey on the children of our community to justice. It is particularly disturbing when a crime like this is committed by a member of the law enforcement community. We urge anyone who may have information related to this case or knowledge of other victims to contact the FBI at (414) 276-4684.”

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Milwaukee Cyber Crimes Task Force. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Penelope L. Coblentz.

This case is prosecuted as a component 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 United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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

A criminal complaint is the formal method of charging an individual and does not constitute inference of his or her guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until such time, if ever, that the government establishes his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

For additional information contact:

Assistant United States Attorney Penelope Coblentz or

Public Information Officer Dean Puschnig

(414) 297-1700

Operation Spring Thaw

Milwaukee, WI – The United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Kevin A. Carr, announced the conclusion of Operation Spring Thaw. The operation began on February 1, 2012 and ended today. During the operation, members of the Fugitive Task Force (Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Department, Wisconsin Department of Corrections, Milwaukee Police Department, Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office, Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department and US Marshals) arrested 38 individuals on outstanding felony warrants. While numerous wanted individuals were taken into custody for a variety of charges, including Sexual Assault of Children, Reckless Endangerment, Firearms Violations, Bail Jumping, Arson, Substantial Battery, Fraud and Probation Violation, the focus was on cold cases (cases where the fugitives had been wanted for several years).

Notable arrests during the operation included Michael Mack, wanted since 2009, and had been featured on ‘America’s Most Wanted’ a few weeks ago. Mack was accused of assaulting his girlfriend, and setting her home on fire. Investigators say Mack got into an argument with his girlfriend and she threw him out of the house. He wanted revenge, and allegedly visited her in the hospital for an illness, punched her and soon after, set her place on fire. A tip received as a result of this airing led to Mack’s arrest on February 13, 2012 in San Antonio, Texas. Law enforcement officials say he was working in a carnival and used an alias.

Theresa Birkley, wanted since 1997, had been convicted and sentenced to probation in May of 1997 for Battery While Armed. Birkley had stabbed the victim with a knife on the arms, shoulder and face. Birkley subsequently absconded from supervision in August of 1997. Birkley was located and arrested by deputy marshals in Greenville, Mississippi on Tuesday February 21, 2012.

Marshal Carr stated that “Operation Spring Thaw was a successful full-court press by the Fugitive Task Force and the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Department to make an impact in keeping the community safe”.

Additional information about the U.S. Marshals Service can be found at USmarshals.gov.

Fourteen Defendants Indicted for Drug Trafficking, Money Laundering, and Firearms Offenses

United States Attorney James L. Santelle announced today that as a result of an investigation into drug-dealing occurring on the east side of Milwaukee, a federal grand jury had indicted 14 defendants for drug trafficking, money laundering, and firearms offenses.

Today, law enforcement officers arrested 12 of these defendants. Still at large are Larry Hooker and Cedric Greer. In addition, law enforcement officers executed seven federal search warrants and seized firearms, jewelry, and approximately $30,000.

This investigation focused on the alleged drug-trafficking activities of Earl Williams, Jr., and others on the east side of Milwaukee. Count One of the first indictment alleges that Mr. Williams and others conspired to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine, and more than 280 grams of crack cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841 and 846. Defendants convicted of that offense would face between 10 years and life imprisonment, a fine of up to $4,000,000, and five years to life on supervised release.

According to the first indictment, the conspirators pooled their money to obtain large quantities of cocaine, the majority of which was converted into “crack.” The conspirators then distributed the cocaine and crack cocaine in the Eastern District of Wisconsin. According to the indictment, the conspirators used various residences to store, package, prepare, and distribute the cocaine and crack cocaine and possessed firearms to protect the drugs and proceeds of the conspiracy. One of the alleged goals of the conspiracy was the accumulation of assets, including jewelry and vehicles. The government is seeking forfeiture of those assets.

The defendants were charged based on a year-long joint investigation by the Milwaukee High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Drug Gang Task Force, including officers from the Milwaukee Police Department and Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), with assistance from the Wisconsin Department of Justice-Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), the West Allis Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The United States Marshals Service, Oak Creek Police Department, Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office and Wisconsin State Patrol also assisted in today’s arrests.

According to United States Attorney James L. Santelle, “This significant law enforcement action identifying, apprehending, and bringing to justice a group of people whose drug dealing and related criminal conduct has compromised the safety and security of neighborhoods on the east side of Milwaukee reflects the continuing, targeted, and effective work that we pursue on behalf of all of the people of our community. As a part of our focused investigative and prosecution strategy, fourteen defendants were indicted for engaging in a sophisticated conspiracy to obtain large amounts of cocaine and to profit from the subsequent sale of it, much of it in “crack” form. The fact that virtually all of them are now in custody, facing significant prison terms and likely to lose the assets that they have acquired, is rightly viewed as the appropriate and anticipated response to this kind of destructive behavior. It is also representative of the sort of success that we have in combating the illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, and distribution of illegal drugs of all kinds.” Santelle specifically commended the critically important work of all of the agencies participating int he investigation of the case, including the arrests of earlier today and, in particular, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Milwaukee Police Department, working together through the HIDTA.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bridget J. Domaszek.

The public is cautioned that an indictment is merely the formal method of charging an individual and does not constitute inference of his or her guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until such time, if ever, that the government establishes his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Operation Repeat Offender

MILWAUKEE – Kevin A. Carr, United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced the completion of a four day sweep that targeted absconders in Milwaukee, Waukesha and Sheboygan Counties. ‘Operation Repeat Offender’ resulted in twenty seven arrests.

The operation focused on parole and probation violators that violated supervision and became fugitives. Offenders with lengthy criminal histories were prioritized. While some individuals with outstanding federal arrest warrants were also included, the focus was on individuals wanted by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections.  Investigators began working leads in April of this year in preparation for the sweep that began on May 23rd.

The member agencies of the US Marshals Fugitive Task Force include the Milwaukee Police Department, Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Department, Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department, Kenosha Police Department, Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Wisconsin Department of Corrections, and the Sheboygan Police Department.

The operation culminated over the last several days with the arrests of twenty seven individuals. The

U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force will continue to investigate the whereabouts of several absconders

that were targeted, but not apprehended during the sweep. Marshal Carr said that “The U.S. Marshals

Service is appreciative of the cooperation of the agencies involved in this operation to remove offenders from our streets who were granted the privilege of release from custody only to not comply with the conditions of their release.