Grand Jury Returns Two 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.

Janesville Man Charged with Drug, Gun & Child Pornography Crimes

Kyle Richards, 34, Janesville, Wisconsin, is charged with distributing cocaine, possessing cocaine for distribution, maintaining a drug house, being a felon in possession of firearms, and producing child pornography.  The indictment alleges that from April 2023 to May 5, 2023, Richards used and maintained an apartment in Janesville for the purpose of distributing and using cocaine.  The indictment further alleges that he distributed cocaine on October 9, 2022, and that on May 4, 2023, he possessed cocaine with the intent to distribute.

The indictment also charges Richards with being a felon in possession of firearms.  The indictment alleges that on May 4, 2023, he possessed four handguns.  The final count of the indictment charges that on January 13, 2023, he used a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of the conduct. 

If convicted, Richards faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on the charges of distributing cocaine and possessing cocaine for distribution, 5 years on the charge of maintaining a drug house, and 15 years on the charge of being a felon in possession of firearms.  The production of child pornography charge has a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years. 

The charges against Richards are the result of an investigation by the Janesville Police Department, the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor Kraus is handling the prosecution.  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.