DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

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

For Immediate Release

Monday, July 30, 2018
Scott C. Blader
, United States Attorney
Contact: Corey Stephan

Eau Claire Man Sentenced to 4 Years for Gun Crime

MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Zan Morgan, 41, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to four years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.   Morgan pleaded guilty to this charge on May 9, 2018.

 

On March 4, 2017, an Eau Claire police officer stopped the vehicle that Morgan was driving for speeding.  Officers smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle and, when it was apparent that they were going to search the vehicle, Morgan admitted that there was a gun under the driver’s seat. 

 

In 2003, Morgan was convicted in federal court for distribution of crack cocaine.  Because of this prior felony conviction, he was not allowed to possess a firearm. 

 

Judge Peterson wanted to give Morgan credit for being cooperative with the arresting officers and telling them about the gun, but also wanted to impose a sentence that would deter him due to his lengthy criminal history.

 

The charge against Morgan was the result of an investigation conducted by the Eau Claire Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan. 

 

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.

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St. Paul Field Division