MADISON -- A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin, sitting in Madison, returned the following indictment today. You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes. If convicted, the sentencing of a defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
James W. Unser, 59, Ladysmith, Wis., is charged with possessing 50 grams of more of methamphetamine. The indictment alleges that he possessed the methamphetamine on December 30, 2017.
Unser was charged with this offense in a complaint filed in U.S. District Court on January 17. According to the complaint and affidavit, Unser was arrested in Rusk County on December 30, 2017, following a traffic stop of a vehicle in which Unser was a passenger. The complaint alleged that packages of methamphetamine were found in the vehicle under Unser’s seat.
Unser made an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Madison on January 18, and his arraignment is scheduled for January 26. Federal law requires that felony offenses be charged by an indictment returned by a grand jury within 30 days of the date a criminal complaint is filed.
If convicted, Unser faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum penalty of 40 years in federal prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Rusk County Sheriff’s Department. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman.
Last Update: Jan 24, 2018 4:03 pm CST
