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.

Federal Inmate Charged with Possessing Contraband

Marco Cota-Tamaura, 44, formerly of Lakewood, Colorado, is charged with possessing a prohibited object while an inmate at a Federal Correctional Institution in Oxford, Wisconsin. The indictment alleges that on March 22, 2024, Cota-Tamaura possessed methamphetamine.

If convicted, Cota-Tamaura faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Prisons and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Ayala is handling the prosecution.

Madison Man Charged with Gun and Drug Crimes

James Stevens, 41, Madison, Wisconsin, is charged with distributing cocaine and fentanyl, possessing cocaine intended for distribution, possessing a firearm and ammunition as a felon, and possessing a loaded firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The indictment alleges that Stevens distributed cocaine and fentanyl on November 16, 2023, and distributed fentanyl on November 21, 2023. The indictment further alleges that Stevens possessed cocaine intended for distribution on November 29, 2023, along with a loaded Smith and Wesson .40 caliber handgun in furtherance of the drug trafficking crime. 

If convicted, Stevens faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each of the drug charges.  If convicted of the felon in possession charge, he faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. The charge of possessing a weapon in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime carries a minimum penalty of 5 years and a maximum penalty of life in prison. 

The charges against Stevens are the result of an investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, Madison Police Department, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Louie Glinzak 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.

Janesville Man Charged with Gun and Drug Crimes

Cedric Sanders, 25, Janesville, Wisconsin, is charged with distributing fentanyl, possessing 40 grams of more of fentanyl intended for distribution, possessing a firearm as a felon, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The indictment alleges that Sanders distributed fentanyl on four occasions between   November 3, 2023, and November 28, 2023. The indictment further alleges that on December 11, 2023, Sanders possessed 40 grams or more of fentanyl intended for distribution as well as two handguns and ammunition despite being a convicted felon. Finally, the indictment alleges one of the firearms he possessed on December 11, 2023, was possessed in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

If convicted, Sanders faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each of the drug distribution charges. If convicted of the charge involving possessing 40 grams or more of fentanyl intended for distribution, he faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years in federal prison and a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison.  If convicted of the felon in possession charge, he faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. The charge of possessing a weapon in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime carries a minimum penalty of 5 years and a maximum penalty of life in prison. 

The charges against Sanders are the result of an investigation by the Janesville Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. 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.