U.S. Department of Justice

United States Attorney
Western District of Wisconsin

Western District of Wisconsin

www.justice.gov/usao/wiw

For Immediate Release

July 26, 2011

Monroe Man Sentenced for Possessing a Firearm and Ammunition While Under a Domestic Abuse Restraining Order

Madison, Wis. — John W. Vaudreuil, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that John Karls, 47, Monroe, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Barbara B. Crabb to two years in prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition while under a domestic abuse restraining order. Karls pleaded guilty to this offense on May 20, 2011.

The investigation of Karls began after he sent emails to a DeForest, Wisconsin police officer, threatening to kill him. In the emails, Karls said he had a 357. The officer had arrested Karls in 2007 for domestic violence, which subsequently led to Karls’ ex–wife obtaining a domestic abuse restraining order. That order was in effect until December 2011.

On February 16, 2011, officers executed a search warrant at Karls’ home in Monroe, Wisconsin. In the home they recovered a .357 caliber revolver and numerous rounds of .357 caliber ammunition.

Karls is also currently charged in Dane County Circuit Court with stalking, as a result of the emails he sent to the DeForest police officer.

The charge against Karls was the result of an investigation conducted by the DeForest Police Department, the Monroe Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow.

###