Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that John Stroman, 31, Madison, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 33 months in federal prison for unlawfully possessing a loaded firearm as a convicted felon. Stroman pleaded guilty to this charge on July 16, 2019. His prison term will be followed by a three-year period of supervised release.

Stroman, a convicted felon, had an extraditable warrant for his arrest from Maryland. The U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force learned Stroman was in Wisconsin and they were tracking his phone. They also identified a car Stroman was driving. The Marshals contacted the Wisconsin State Patrol, and on April 18, 2019, a trooper saw the car near Mauston. After following the car for a while, the trooper contacted other units, because it was reported that Stroman would likely be armed and attempt to flee.

When State Patrol troopers attempted to stop Stroman, he led them on a high-speed chase for 28 miles, sometimes traveling at speeds of 119 mph. While Stroman was able to avoid several deflation devices, he eventually hit one and his car came to a stop. Stroman was the sole occupant of the vehicle.

A witness told the State Patrol that she saw the driver of the car forcibly throw a black object out of the passenger window. Troopers went to the location described by the witness, and recovered a Hi Point 9mm pistol with one round in the chamber. Stroman has felony convictions for possession with intent to distribute LSD/PCP (Maryland, 2014) and burglary (Ohio, 2008).

This case has been brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Department’s program to reduce violent crime. The PSN approach involves collaboration by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and communities to prevent and deter gun violence.

The charge against Stroman was the result of an investigation conducted by the Wisconsin State Patrol, the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow.

###