Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

MADISON, WIS. -- Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Antonio D. Golden, 25, Madison, Wisconsin, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to a total of seven years in federal prison for drug and gun charges.  Golden pleaded guilty to possessing crack cocaine with intent to distribute and to possessing a firearm in furtherance of the drug crime on January 11, 2018. 

Judge Conley ordered that the 24-month term of imprisonment imposed for the drug crime be served concurrently with the state sentence Golden received for violating the terms of his state probation.  Consistent with federal law, Judge Conley ordered that the 60-month term of imprisonment for the firearms offense be served consecutively to the federal drug sentence and the state revocation sentence. 

On August 12, 2017, Madison Police were conducting extra patrols in the Darbo/Worthington area of Madison due to increased violence in the area.  Officers approached Golden and attempted to speak with him about an open beer can he was holding on a public street.  He fled from police and was eventually apprehended after he fell while attempting to run across East Washington Avenue.  Officers recovered 6 grams of crack cocaine packaged for distribution, approximately $1,200 in cash, and a loaded firearm that Golden had thrown during the pursuit. 

Golden was on probation for a felony fourth offense OWI, and under bond conditions for a pending felony fifth offense OWI, at the time of this federal offense.  In selecting a seven-year sentence, Judge Conley noted that while Golden had a chaotic childhood, he had failed to take advantage of prior treatment and rehabilitative opportunities provided to him. 

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority.  In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

The charges against Golden were the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Madison Police Department.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Meredith P. Duchemin.