Madison, Wis. - John W. Vaudreuil, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that William Ernest Ziemer, 48, Mondovi, Wis., was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Barbara B. Crabb to just over 15 years and 8 months in prison, without parole, for possession of firearms by a felon. Ziemer pleaded guilty to this charge on April 24, 2012.

On September 7, 2011, the defendant burglarized a home in Polk County, Wis. Among other things, the defendant stole a Norinco SKS semi-automatic rifle, a Winchester 12-gauge shotgun , and a Remington .270 caliber rifle. He took these firearms to his sister’s residence and hid them in some bushes.

The defendant had three prior violent felony convictions -- two aggravated robbery convictions in Washington County, Minn., and a burglary of a dwelling or building in Eau Claire, Wis. Because of these, he is considered an armed career criminal under federal law and faced a penalty of 15 years to life.

The charges against Ziemer were the result of an investigation conducted by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Chippewa County Sheriff's Department; Polk County Sheriff's Department; and St. Croix County Sheriff's Department. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Munish Sharda.

 

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