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.

Fitchburg Man Charged with Illegally Possessing Firearm and Ammunition

Deonte Turner, 32, Fitchburg, Wisconsin, is charged with possessing a firearm and ammunition as a felon. The indictment alleges that Turner possessed a Sig Sauer handgun with an extended magazine and Federal brand ammunition on October 2, 2023.

If convicted, Turner faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. The charge against him was the result of an investigation by the Madison Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. U.S. Attorney Timothy M. O’Shea and Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Stelljes are handling the case. 

Three Dane County Residents Charged with Making False Statements During Firearms Purchases

In two separate cases, three Dane County residents are charged with making false statements while purchasing firearms from federally licensed firearms dealers. 

Candice Patterson, 36, Middleton, Wisconsin, and Deovion Baker, 19, Madison, Wisconsin, are charged with making a false statement during the purchase of two Glock handguns from a Sun Prairie gun store on September 1, 2023. The indictment charges that Patterson falsely stated on the firearms purchase form that she was the actual buyer of the handguns, when she knew she was not the actual buyer. Baker is charged with inducing and causing Patterson to falsely state that she was the actual buyer of the handguns, when he was the actual buyer.

If convicted, Patterson and Baker face maximum penalties of 5 years in prison. The charges against them are the result of an investigation by the Madison Police Department; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan is handling the case.

Erik Smay, 44, McFarland, Wisconsin, is charged with two counts of falsely stating on a firearms purchase form that he was not an unlawful user of a controlled substance, when in fact he was an unlawful user of cocaine. The indictment alleges the false statements were made in connection with purchases of Palmetto State Armory handguns from a Madison gun store on July 20, 2022, and September 20, 2022.

If convicted, Smay faces maximum penalties of 5 years in prison on each count. The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration; and the Fitchburg, McFarland, and Deforest Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Ayala is handling the case.

Eau Claire Man Charged with Illegally Possessing Machinegun and Ammunition

Damon L. Clark, 25, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, is charged with possessing a firearm and ammunition as a felon and with possessing a machinegun. The indictment alleges that Clark possessed a Glock handgun and Winchester ammunition on January 1, 2024. The indictment also alleges that the Glock handgun had an “auto-sear,” which is an after-market attachment that converts a semi-automatic handgun into a machinegun under federal law.

If convicted of the felon in possession charge, Clark faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. If convicted of the machine gun charge, Clark faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

The charges against Clark are the result of an investigation by the Eau Claire Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Colleen Lennon is handling the case.

Eau Claire Man Charged with Distributing Methamphetamine

Corey Hobbs, 38, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, is charged with distributing methamphetamine on November 1, 2023, and November 7, 2023. He is also charged with distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on December 6, 2023.

If convicted, Hobbs 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 charge of distributing 50 grams or more.

The charges against Hobbs are the result of an investigation by the West Central Drug Task Force, Chippewa County Sheriff’s Department, and the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Remington is handling the case.

Two Charged with Illegally Reentering U.S.

Jose Diaz-Guzman, 40, of Mexico, is charged with illegally reentering the United States after being removed. The indictment alleges that he was found in the Western District of Wisconsin on April 24, 2024. He was found in Dane County.

William Alberto-Monte, 30, of Honduras, is charged with reentering the United States after being removed. The indictment alleges that Alberto-Monte was found in the Western District of Wisconsin on May 1, 2024.  He was found in Dane County.

If convicted, Diaz-Guzman faces a maximum penalty of 2 years in prison, and Alberto-Monte faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.  Illegal reentry offenses may carry different maximum penalties based on the totality of circumstances in each case. 

The charges against both men are the result of investigations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn Ginsberg is handling the cases.