DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

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

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, January 30, 2019
Scott C. Blader
, United States Attorney
Contact: AUSA Assigned to Case

Grand Jury Indictments

MADISON, WIS. -- A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin, sitting in Madison, returned the following indictments today. You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

 

Nekoosa Man Charged with Possessing Sawed-Off Shotguns

Jere Wipfli, 47, Nekoosa, Wisconsin, is charged with two counts of possessing a sawed-off shotgun. The indictment alleges that on May 28, 2018, he possessed a Remington 12 gauge shotgun and a Hiawatha 20 gauge shotgun, and that each firearm had a barrel of less than 18 inches in length.

If convicted, Wipfli faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison on each count. The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the Rome Police Department, Juneau County Sheriff’s Office, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Chadwick Elgersma.

 

Madison Man Charged with Gun Crime

Juan Longino, 45, Madison, Wisconsin, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that on January 9, 2019, Longino possessed a loaded .22 caliber pistol.

If convicted, Longino faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Dane County Narcotics Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow.

The indictments against Wipfli and Longino have been brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Department’s program to reduce violent crime. The PSN approach emphasizes coordination between state and federal

prosecutors and all levels of law enforcement to address gun crime, especially felons illegally possessing firearms and ammunition and violent and drug crimes that involve the use of firearms.

 

Richland Center Man Charged with Drug Crime

Joshua Clarke, 31, Richland Center, Wisconsin, is charged with possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. The indictment alleges that he possessed the methamphetamine on November 11, 2018.

If convicted, Clarke faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Richland Center Police Department, Richland County Sheriff’s Office, Richland County District Attorney’s Office, and Drug Enforcement Administration. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Chadwick Elgersma.

 

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St. Paul Field Division