Keshena Man Indicted for Unlawful Possession of Firearm on Menominee Indian Reservation

Matthew D. Krueger, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on December 8, 2020, a federal grand jury indicted Martin W. Penass, a/k/a “Aptickasic Hawpetoss” (age: 42), of Keshena, for being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 922(g). If convicted, Penass faces a maximum sentence of ten years in prison, up to three years on supervised release, up to a $250,000 fine, and a $100 Special Assessment.

According to the indictment, on or about June 25, 2020, despite knowing he was prohibited from doing so, Penass possessed a semiautomatic rifle of a design commonly referred to as an “AR-15” while at a remote area outside Neopit, which is a community on the Menominee Indian Reservation.

This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.

For more information about Project Guardian, please see https://go.usa.gov/xpBrs  

The Menominee Tribal Police Department investigated the case, which Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Maier will prosecute.

An indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

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For Additional Information Contact: Public Information Officer Kenneth Gales

Kenneth.Gales@usdoj.gov

414-297-1700

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