Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Louis S. Boatner, 44, Madison, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 10 years in federal prison, followed by a four-year term of supervised release, for possessing over a kilogram of cocaine with intent to distribute, and possessing six loaded handguns in furtherance of that drug trafficking offense.  Boatner pleaded guilty to these charges on March 5, 2019.

Between August and October, an informant working with the Dane County Narcotics Task Force purchased cocaine from Boatner on three occasions.  Officers conducted surveillance during the purchases, and subsequently obtained a search warrant for a storage unit that Boatner rented.  The warrant was executed on October 9, 2018 and officers recovered approximately 1,300 grams of cocaine, six fully-loaded handguns, and $61,000 in the unit.

The 10-year sentence was required under federal law, because each count of conviction carried mandatory minimum sentences of five years.

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 involves collaboration by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and communities to prevent and deter gun violence. 

The charge against Boatner was the result of an investigation conducted by the Dane County Narcotics Task Force 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.