DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office
Western District of Wisconsin

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, July 9, 2019
Scott C. Blader
, United States Attorney
Contact: Julie S. Pfluger

Madison Felon Sentenced for Possessing Firearm

MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Billy Shell, Jr., 21, Madison, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District William M. Conley to 24 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.  This prison term will be followed by three years of supervised release.  Shell pleaded guilty to this offense on April 16, 2019.

On October 5, 2018, Madison police officers approached a car that was parked illegally.  Shell was one of the people in the car.  The owner of the car consented to a search, which revealed a 9 mm handgun under a seat in the area where Shell had been sitting.  The investigation revealed that the handgun was stolen, and was equipped with a fully loaded extended magazine. 

The charge against Shell was the result of an investigation conducted by the Madison Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Pfluger. 

St. Paul Field Division