DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

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

For Immediate Release

Monday, March 7, 2016
John W. Vaudreuil
, United States Attorney
Contact: Peter M. Jarosz

Eau Claire Man Sentenced for Gun Crime

MADISON, WIS. -- John W. Vaudreuil, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Thomas J. Drewniak, 38, Eau Claire, Wis., was sentenced Friday, March 4, 2016, by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 1 year and a day in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The prison term will be followed by two years of supervised release. The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge on November 20, 2015.

Drewniak was arrested by Eau Claire police officers on March 31, 2015, after they executed a search warrant at Drewniak’s residence in Eau Claire. During the search, officers found five firearms and numerous rounds of ammunition. Drewniak had previously been convicted of First Degree Murder in Cook County Illinois Circuit Court on June 3, 1996, and was sentenced to 25 years in prison.

The conviction of Drewniak is the result of an investigation by the Eau Claire Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution of this case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter M. Jarosz.

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St. Paul Field Division