Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Christian Dejesus Rodriguez, 19, Seminole County, Florida, pleaded guilty today to robbing three businesses in Madison, Wisconsin, and brandishing a firearm during one of the robberies.

At the plea hearing, Rodriguez admitted he robbed the Mobil Gas Station on Cottage Grove Road on December 6, 2017, the 7-Eleven on the Beltline Highway on December 13, 2017, and the BP Gas Station on Pflaum Road on December 18, 2017. He brandished a firearm during all three robberies, but pursuant to the terms of the plea agreement, two of the brandishing charges will be dismissed at sentencing.

Rodriguez faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each robbery charge.  He also faces a mandatory minimum penalty of seven years on the charge of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.  Federal law requires that any penalty imposed for brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence be served consecutive to any sentence imposed on the robbery charges.

Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson scheduled sentencing for July 12, 2018, at 1:00 p.m.        

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 Rodriguez are the result of an investigation by the Madison Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita Rumbelow.

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