Madison, Wis. - John W. Vaudreuil, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Shaon Arch, 29, Chicago, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Barbara B. Crabb to seven years in prison, followed by a three-year period of supervised release, for unlawfully possessing a loaded handgun as a convicted felon. Arch pleaded guilty to this charge on June 20, 2012.

On September 27, 2010, Fitchburg police were called to an apartment regarding a domestic disturbance. In the apartment were Arch and his girlfriend. According to the girlfriend, Arch put a loaded pistol in her mouth and threatened to shoot her. She was able to stab him in the hand with a pair of scissors. Police noticed blood throughout the apartment and they found the loaded pistol hidden in a closet. Arch’s DNA was identified on the pistol.

Arch has been in custody since September 27, 2010. He suffers from severe mental illness for which he was treated at a federal medical facility during the past two years. Doctors were able to restore Arch’s competency through the involuntary administration of anti-psychotic medication, but he recently began refusing to take his medication again at the Dane County jail. Arch assured Judge Crabb that he understood the sentencing proceeding, and that he quit taking his medication because it made his muscles twitch. Arch asked for a sentence of probation, but Judge Crabb was not convinced that he would continue to take his medication in a non-custodial setting. Based on Arch’s extensive and violent criminal history, Judge Crabb determined that he presents a very serious danger to the community.

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

 

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