Grand Jury Returns Indictments

MADISON, WIS. – A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin, sitting in Madison, returned the following indictments today.  You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Milwaukee Man Charged with Drug & Gun Crimes

Dewayne Veasy, 30, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is charged with possessing cocaine with intent to distribute and with possessing a mixture of heroin and fentanyl with intent to distribute on July 2, 2020.  The indictment also charges Veasy with possessing a firearm as a felon and with possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  The indictment alleges that he possessed a handgun on July 2, 2020.

If convicted, Veasy faces a mandatory penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each drug charge and 10 years on the felon in possession of a firearm charge.  The charge of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years in federal prison.  Federal law requires that any penalty imposed for this charge be served consecutive to any other sentence imposed.

The charges against Veasy are the result of an investigation by the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor Kraus is handling the prosecution.

Madison Man Charged with Drug & Gun Crimes

Justin Miner, 36, Madison, Wisconsin, is charged with three drug crimes and with being a felon in possession of a firearm.  The indictment alleges that on October 20, 2020, he distributed methamphetamine, and that on October 29, 2020, he possessed heroin with intent to distribute, and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.  The indictment further alleges that on October 29, 2020, he possessed a 9mm pistol and ammunition.

If convicted, Miner faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison on the charge involving 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.  He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years on each of the other drug charges and 10 years on the felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition charge. The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the Madison Police Department, Dane County Narcotics and Gang Task Force, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Schlipper is handling the prosecution.

Menomonie Man Charged with Illegally Possessing Firearm & Ammunition

Xavier Gentry, 32, Menomonie, Wisconsin, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.  The indictment alleges that he possessed a 9mm handgun and ammunition on June 7, 2020. 

The charge against Gentry is the result of an investigation by the Eau Claire Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor Kraus is handling the prosecution.

Eau Claire Man Charged with Gun Crime

Roy Hopp, 40, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.  The indictment alleges that he possessed a loaded .380 caliber pistol and ammunition on November 12, 2020.

The charge against Hopp is the result of an investigation by the Eau Claire County Sheriff's Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan is handling the prosecution.

Sun Prairie Man Charged with Making False Statement During Purchase of Firearm

Abiel Howard, 25, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, is charged with making a false statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer while purchasing a firearm.  The indictment alleges that on January 11, 2020, Howard stated that he was the actual buyer of a .40 caliber pistol, when he was not the actual buyer. 

If convicted, Howard faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison.  The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Madison Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Pfluger is handling the prosecution.

Illinois Man Charged with Possessing Methamphetamine for Distribution

Leroy D. Hampton, 29, Urbana, Illinois, is charged with possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.  The indictment alleges that he possessed the methamphetamine on November 12, 2020.

If convicted, Hampton faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison.  The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Wisconsin State Patrol, Juneau County Sheriff’s Office, and Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Chadwick Elgersma is handling the prosecution.

Sun Prairie Business Owner Charged with Failing to Account For & Pay Payroll Taxes

Joseph Kott, 42, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, is charged with 17 counts of failing to account for and pay over to the IRS all of the federal income taxes withheld and Social Security and Medicare taxes (“FICA taxes”) due to the United States, on behalf of Alpha Electric, LLC (“Alpha”) and its employees.  Kott was the owner and operator of Alpha, an electrical installation and services business located in Sun Prairie.

The indictment alleges that Kott failed to file quarterly employment tax returns for Alpha, failed to pay FICA taxes withheld from wages of Alpha’s employees, and failed to pay the employer’s matching share of FICA Taxes.  The 17 counts of the indictment allege that Kott failed to pay to the IRS a total of $377,855.24 in payroll taxes between 2014 and 2018. 

If convicted, Kott faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison on each count.  The charges against Kott are the result of an investigation by IRS Criminal Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Graber is handling the prosecution.

Man Charged with Escape

Larry Dollar, 49, is charged with escape.  The indictment alleges that he escaped from the custody of Rock Valley Community Programs in Janesville, Wisconsin, on December 14, 2020.

If convicted, Dollar faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison.  The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Marshals Service.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Pfluger is handling the prosecution.