Felon Sentenced to 40 Months for Possessing Firearm

MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Demarko D. Richmond, 21, Madison, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 40 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.  Richmond pleaded guilty to this charge on September 7, 2018.  His prison term will be followed by a three-year period of supervised release.

On July 23, 2018, the Dane County Narcotics Task Force and the Madison Police Department were attempting to locate individuals believed to be involved in recent shootings in the area.  Officers observed Richmond exiting an apartment building with a person of interest.  When officers approached, Richmond and his friend fled from the officers.  Richmond was eventually arrested and was found to have possessed and discarded a stolen, loaded firearm, with a high capacity magazine.

Richmond is prohibited from possessing firearms because of a 2017 felony conviction for fleeing/eluding an officer.  In choosing a 40-month sentence, Judge Conley noted that Richmond is an angry individual, with a history of domestic violence.

This case has been brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Department’s program to reduce violent crime.  The PSN approach involves collaboration by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and communities to prevent and deter gun violence. 

The charge against Richmond was the result of an investigation conducted by the Dane County Narcotics Task Force and the Madison Police Department, Violent Crime Unit.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow.