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.
The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes. If convicted, the sentencing of a defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Medford Man Charged with Child Pornography Crimes
Gregory Henkel, 37, Medford, Wis., is charged with six counts of distributing child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography. The indictment alleges that on six occasions in November and December 2017, he distributed a visual depiction of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct into a Kik chat group. The indictment also charges that on January 10, 2018, he possessed a cell phone containing visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, and at least one of the images involved a minor under 12 years of age.
If convicted, Henkel faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count. The charges against him are the result of an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Medford Police Department. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman.
Baraboo Man Charged with Drug Offenses
Froylan R. Castro, 25, Baraboo, Wis., is charged with attempting to possess 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and with attempting to possess cocaine with intent to distribute. The indictment alleges that he committed both these offenses on October 11, 2017.
If convicted, Castro faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison on the methamphetamine charge, and 20 years in federal prison on the cocaine charge.
The charges against Castro are the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Baraboo Police Department, Sauk County Sheriff’s Department, and the Sauk County Drug Task Force. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Reinhard.
Quentin R. Scott, Sr., 29, Sun Prairie, Wis., is charged with being a felon in possession of two firearms and ammunition. The indictment alleges that on October 11, 2017, he possessed a .45 caliber revolver, a .22 caliber revolver, and ammunition.
If convicted, Scott faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Madison Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan.
Eau Claire Man Charged with Drug Crimes Involving Methamphetamine
Jason Ressel, 43, Eau Claire, Wis., is charged with distributing methamphetamine on September 15, 2017, with distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on September 20, 2017, and with possessing 500 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute on September 22, 2107.
If convicted, Ressel faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on the distributing charge, a mandatory minimum of five years and a maximum of 40 years on the charge of distributing 50 grams or more, and a mandatory minimum of 10 years to a maximum of life on the charge of possessing 500 grams or more.
The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the West Central Drug Task Force, which is comprised of investigators from the Eau Claire, Menomonie, and Chippewa Falls Police Departments; Sheriff’s Departments from Eau Claire, Dunn, Chippewa, Clark, and Buffalo Counties; Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation; and UW-Eau Claire and UW-Stout Police Departments. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman.
Janesville Man Charged with Drug Offense Involving Heroin
Tyrae L. Ford, 40, Janesville, Wis., is charged with possessing 100 grams or more of heroin with intent to distribute. The indictment alleges that he possessed the heroin on January 1, 2018.
If convicted, Ford faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Wisconsin State Patrol. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman.
Rusk County Man Charged with Drug Crime
James W. Unser, 59, Ladysmith, Wis., is charged with possessing 50 grams of more of methamphetamine. The indictment alleges that he possessed the methamphetamine on December 30, 2017.
Unser was charged with this offense in a complaint filed in U.S. District Court on January 17. According to the complaint and affidavit, Unser was arrested in Rusk County on December 30, 2017, following a traffic stop of a vehicle in which Unser was a passenger. The complaint alleged that packages of methamphetamine were found in the vehicle under Unser’s seat.
Unser made an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Madison on January 18, and his arraignment is scheduled for January 26. Federal law requires that felony offenses be charged by an indictment returned by a grand jury within 30 days of the date a criminal complaint is filed.
If convicted, Unser faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum penalty of 40 years in federal prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Rusk County Sheriff’s Department. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman.
La Crosse Man Charged with Stealing Mail
Justin Cain, 35, La Crosse, Wis., is charged with stealing mail. The indictment alleges that on September 14, 2013, he stole a Priority Mail Piece from the Post Office in La Crosse, Wis.
If convicted, Cain faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Chadwick Elgersma.
Mexican Citizen Charged with Illegally Reentering U.S.
Jesus Francisco Herrera-Martinez, 34, a citizen of Mexico found living in Fitchburg, Wis., is charged with illegally reentering the United States after previously being deported and removed. The indictment alleges that he was found in the United States on December 21, 2017.
If convicted, Herrera-Martinez faces a maximum penalty of two years in federal prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Antonio Trillo.
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