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 a person named as defendant in an indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Wisconsin Rapids Man Charged with Drug and Gun Crimes

Bradly Rosenthal, 41, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, is charged with distributing methamphetamine, possessing methamphetamine intended for distribution, possessing a firearm and ammunition as a felon, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The indictment alleges that Rosenthal distributed methamphetamine on three occasions in February 2024 and possessed 50 grams or more of methamphetamine intended for distribution on March 13, 2024. The indictment alleges that also on March 13, 2024, Rosenthal possessed as a felon a Keltec handgun, Stoeger handgun, and two types of ammunition and possessed a loaded firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking crime. 

If convicted, Rosenthal faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each distribution charge. He faces a mandatory minimum of 5 years and a maximum of 40 years in prison on the possession with intent to distribute charge. If convicted of the felon in possession charge, he faces a maximum penalty of 15 years. The possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime charge carries a minimum penalty of 5 years and a maximum of life in prison. Federal law requires that any penalty imposed for the charge of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime be served consecutive to any other sentence imposed. 

The charges against Rosenthal are the result of an investigation by the Central Wisconsin Drug Task Force and the Wisconsin Rapids and Nekoosa Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Remington is handling the case.

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 emphasizes coordination between state and federal prosecutors and all levels of law enforcement to address gun crime, especially felons illegally possessing firearms and ammunition and violent and drug crimes that involve the use of firearms.

Oneida County Man Charged with Possessing Child Pornography

James H. Hornung, 72, Newbold, Wisconsin, is charged with possessing child pornography. The indictment alleges that from September 4, 2021 to June 23, 2023, Hornung possessed a 128 GB Lenovo IdeaPad 1 and six GB SanDisk Flash Drives containing visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. The indictment further alleges that at least one of the depictions Hornung possessed involved a prepubescent minor or a minor who had not attained 12 years of age. 

The penalties for possession of child pornography vary depending upon an individual’s prior criminal history. If convicted, Hornung faces a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. 

The charge against Hornung is the result of an investigation by the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office and the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn Ginsberg is handling the case.

This investigation was a part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.