Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Grand Jury Returns 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.
New Auburn Man Charged With Distributing Child Pornography
Robert Shilts, 29, New Auburn, Wis., is charged with four counts of distributing visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. The indictment alleges that Shilts used a digital tablet to post child pornography into a chatroom of an online messaging application on May 18, June 10, 11 and 19, 2015.
If convicted, Shilts faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum penalty of 40 years in federal prison. The charges against him are the result of an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations; the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation; Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office; and Eau Claire Police Department. The prosecution of this case will be handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman.
Eau Claire Man Charged With Gun Crime
Shane Sahm, 36, Eau Claire, Wis., is charged with being a felon in possession of firearms. The indictment alleges that on May 4, 2015, he possessed a 9mm pistol, a .357 caliber revolver, and a 30-30 lever action rifle.
If convicted, Sahm faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Eau Claire County Sheriff’s Office and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution of this case will be handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow.
Beloit Man Charged With Failing To Register As A Sex Offender
Tyree D. McAtee, 44, Beloit, Wis., is charged with failing to update his registration under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). The indictment alleges that between January 17, 2012 and February 2015, McAtee traveled across state lines and failed to update his registration as required by SORNA.
If convicted, McAtee faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Marshals Service, Wisconsin Department of Corrections, and Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. The prosecution of this case will be handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Przybylinski Finn.
# # # #