U.S. Department
of Justice
Press Release
Grand Jury Returns Indictments
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Wisconsin
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.
Beloit Man Charged with Armed Robberies of Businesses
Nicholas K. Murn, 26, Beloit, Wisconsin, is charged with five counts of armed robbery of businesses that were engaged in interstate commerce. The businesses were located in Rock County, Wisconsin. The indictment alleges that he robbed the following businesses:
- Tex’s Grocery on Saint Lawrence Avenue in Beloit on October 17, 2019;
- Casey’s General Store on South John Paul Road in Milton, Wisconsin, on October 23, 2019;
- Stop N’ Go on East Milwaukee Street in Janesville, Wisconsin, on October 24, 2019;
- Mulligans BP Convenience on Milton Avenue in Janesville on October 26, 2019; and;
- Rollette Oil Gas Station on Madison Road in Beloit on October 30, 2019.
The indictment further alleges that Murn brandished a firearm during each of these robberies.
If convicted, Murn faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each robbery count. Each charge of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence has a mandatory minimum penalty of seven years in prison, to be served consecutive to any sentence imposed for the robbery. The charges against Murn are the result of an investigation by the Beloit, Janesville, and Milton Police Departments, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow is handling the prosecution.
Madison Man Charged with Armed Bank Robbery
Stanley Griffin, 26, Madison, Wisconsin, is charged with the armed robbery of US Bank on Cottage Grove Road in Madison on July 9, 2019. The indictment also charges him with brandishing a firearm during the robbery.
If convicted, Griffin faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in federal prison on the armed bank robbery charge, and a mandatory minimum penalty of seven years in federal prison on the charge of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. Federal law requires that the sentence for brandishing a firearm be served consecutive to any sentence imposed on the bank robbery charge.
The charges against Griffin are the result of an investigation by the Madison Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow is handling the prosecution.
Two Charged with Madison Robberies
Ramon Howard, 36, and Antonio Rowe, 30, both of Madison, Wisconsin, are charged with robbing financial institutions in Madison. The indictment alleges that:
- Rowe robbed the BMO Harris Bank on Sherman Avenue on September 10, 2019;
- Howard and Rowe robbed the Associated Bank on East Towne Boulevard on September 13, 2019;
- Howard robbed the Summit Credit Union on Thierer Road on September 16, 2019; and
- Howard and Rowe robbed the UW Credit Union on Northport Drive on September 26, 2019.
If convicted, Howard and Rowe face a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison for each robbery they are alleged to have committed. The charges against them are the result of an investigation by the Madison Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey C. Stephan is handling the prosecution.
The indictments against Murn, Griffin, Howard, and Rowe have 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 crimes and drug crimes that involve the use of firearms.
Onalaska Man Charged with Drug Crime
Eric Sobek, 47, Onalaska, Wisconsin, is charged with possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. The indictment alleges that he possessed the methamphetamine on September 17, 2019.
If convicted, Sobek faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the La Crosse and Onalaska Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chadwick M. Elgersma is handling the prosecution.
Madison Man Charged with Distributing Heroin
James Britton, 31, Madison, Wisconsin, is charged with three counts of distributing heroin and one count of possessing heroin with the intent to distribute. The indictment alleges that he distributed heroin on October 30, November 4, and November 6, 2019, and that he possessed heroin with the intent to distribute on November 14, 2019.
If convicted, Britton faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count. The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor L. Kraus is handling the prosecution.
Madison Man Charged with Distributing Cocaine
Matthew Guirlando, 34, Madison, Wisconsin, is charged with four counts of distributing cocaine and one count of possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute. The indictment alleges that he distributed cocaine on May 2, July 9, July 25, and September 19, 2019, and that he possessed cocaine with the intent to distribute on October 7, 2019.
If convicted, Guirlando faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count. The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron D. Wegner is handling the prosecution.
Updated November 20, 2019
Topics
Drug Trafficking
Project Safe Neighborhoods
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