Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Gregory J. Haanstad, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on November 7, 2017, Toronse Carter (age: 20) of Milwaukee was indicted for rioting, arson, and arson connected with a federal felony in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2101(a)(2), 844(i), and 844(h). If the defendant is convicted of arson connected with a federal felony, he faces a 10-year mandatory prison sentence; if convicted of arson, the defendant faces a 5-year mandatory prison sentence; and if convicted of rioting, the defendant faces a 5-year maximum prison sentence.

 

"This case reflects that the United States Attorney’s Office and the United States Department of Justice are committed to aggressively pursuing those who took part in violent and criminal conduct during the August 13, 2016 riots in Sherman Park," explained U.S. Attorney Haanstad.

 

"We continue to work diligently on pursuing this joint investigation into the Sherman Park arsons," said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Joel Lee of the St. Paul Field Division. "After a more than year-long investigation, we are proud of our team’s results, bringing justice to this community. These businesses, and more importantly this community, needs to know that these vandals will be held accountable for their actions and that we will continue to pursue the prosecutions of the remaining individuals involved in last summer’s riot-related arsons."

 

This case was investigated by the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Milwaukee Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by United States Attorney Gregory Haanstad and Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Ladwig.

 

The public is cautioned that an indictment is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.