Madison Felon Sentenced to 24 Months for Drug & Gun Crimes

MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that James M. Turner, 32, Madison, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to two concurrent 24-month federal prison terms for possessing drugs with the intent to distribute and a firearm as a convicted felon.  Turner pled guilty to the charges on March 13, 2019.  His prison term will be followed by a three-year period of supervised release.

On November 11, 2018, Wisconsin State Patrol Troopers stopped Turner in Dane County for speeding and erratic driving.  Turner was arrested after he reached for a loaded revolver on the passenger’s seat.  During a subsequent search of Turner’s car, the Troopers found 27.5 grams of a substance that later tested positive for cocaine.

Turner has prior felony convictions for delivering cocaine and possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute.   

This case is 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 Turner was the result of an investigation conducted by the Wisconsin State Patrol.  This prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow.