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 a person named as defendant in an indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Bayfield Man Charged With Distributing Child Pornography
Lance Andrews, 46, Bayfield, Wisconsin, is charged with distributing child pornography. The indictment alleges that on September 24, 2024, Andrews uploaded a video of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct, into a Chatroom dedicated to the rape of infants and toddlers.
If convicted, Andrews faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison.
The charge against him is the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Ashland Police Department, Bayfield County Sheriff’s Office, and the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman is handling the case.
This investigation was a part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. 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.
Three Dane County Men Charged With Illegally Possessing Firearms
In separate cases, three Dane County men are charged with illegally possessing firearms as felons. Under federal law, individuals with prior felony convictions cannot legally possess firearms or ammunition.
Joseph T. Harrison, 35, Madison, Wisconsin, is charged with illegally possessing a Beretta .22 caliber handgun on or about April 9, 2024.
Curtis White III, 21, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, is charged with illegally possessing a loaded Sarsilmaz 9mm handgun and 9mm ammunition on September 30, 2024.
Bobby D. Clayton, 44, Madison, Wisconsin, is charged with illegally possessing firearms and ammunition as a felon. The indictment alleges that on July 26, 2022, Clayton possessed a loaded Hi-Point C9 9mm handgun. The indictment further alleges that on June 2, 2024, Clayton possessed a loaded Taurus PT-58 .380 caliber handgun and two brands of .380 caliber ammunition.
If convicted, Harrison and White each face a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. Clayton faces maximum penalties of 15 years in prison on each gun charge.
The charge against Harrison is the result of an investigation conducted by the La Crosse Police Department, ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force, and the Wisconsin State Crime Lab. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn Ginsberg is handling the case.
The charge against White is the result of an investigation conducted by the ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force and the Fitchburg Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Wagner is handling the case.
The ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force consists of federal agents from ATF and Task Force Officers (TFOs) from local agencies including the Dane County and Clark County Sheriff’s Offices and the Fitchburg, Madison, Sun Prairie, and La Crosse Police Departments.
The charge against Clayton is the result of an investigation conducted by the Madison Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan is handling the case.
All cases involving firearms are brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Department’s program to reduce violent crime. The PSN approach emphasizes coordination between state and federal prosecutors and all levels of law enforcement to address gun crime, especially felons illegally possessing firearms and ammunition and violent and drug crimes that involve the use of firearms.
Illinois Man Charged With Distributing Fentanyl
Michael Greer, 44, Loves Park, Illinois, is charged with distributing fentanyl. The indictment alleges that Greer distributed 40 grams or more of fentanyl on July 25, 2024, and August 8, 2024.
If convicted, Greer faces a mandatory minimum of 5 years and a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison on each distribution charge.
The charges against Greer are the result of investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Rock County Sheriff’s Office, and the Winnebago County, Illinois, Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor L. Kraus is handling the case.
Price County Man Charged With Defrauding Federal Crop Insurance Program
Lance G. Meier, 52, Ogema, Wisconsin, is charged with defrauding the federal crop insurance program. The indictment alleges that on September 30, 2019, Meier submitted a fraudulent Wells Fargo bank statement to the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation in connection with reinstating his crop insurance.
If convicted, Meier faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison.
The charge against Meier is the result of an investigation conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Stelljes is handling the case.
Rice Lake Man Charged with Methamphetamine Trafficking Offenses
David Anderson Jr., 34, Rice Lake, Wisconsin, is charged with distributing methamphetamine, possessing methamphetamine intended for distribution, and maintaining a drug trafficking premises.
The indictment alleges that Anderson distributed methamphetamine on April 8, 2024, and April 17, 2024. The indictment also alleges that Anderson possessed 50 grams or more of methamphetamine intended for distribution on April 19, 2024. The indictment finally alleges that Anderson maintained a drug trafficking residence in Rice Lake from April 8, 2024, to on or about April 19, 2024.
If convicted of the charge involving 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, Anderson faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years and a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison. The charges involving distribution and maintaining a drug trafficking premises each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
The charges against Anderson are the result of an investigation by the Barron County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Louis Glinzak is handling the case.
Madison Man Charged with Firearms Offenses and Possessing Heroin Intended for Distribution
Patrick T. Bishop, 30, Madison, Wisconsin, is charged with possessing 100 grams or more of heroin intended for distribution, possessing a firearm and ammunition as a felon, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The indictment alleges that Bishop possessed the heroin on July 31, 2024, on the same day that he possessed a loaded Glock 23 .40 caliber handgun and CBC Smith and Wesson .40 caliber ammunition. The indictment further alleges that Bishop possessed the Glock handgun in furtherance of his drug trafficking crime.
If convicted of the heroin charge, Bishop faces a minimum penalty of 5 years and a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison. If convicted of the felon-in-possession charge, he faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. If convicted of the charge alleging that he possessed a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking crime, he faces a minimum penalty of 5 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life, and the sentence imposed must run consecutively to any other prison term.
The charges against Bishop are the result of an investigation conducted by the ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force and the Madison Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Colleen Lennon is handling the case.
Last Update: Nov 21, 2024 5:21 pm CST
