DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

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

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, November 7, 2018
Scott C. Blader
, United States Attorney
Contact: AUSA Assigned to Case

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.

Madison Man Charged with Drug & Gun Crimes

Louis S. Boatner, Jr., 43, Madison, Wisconsin, is charged with possessing 500 grams or more of cocaine with the intent to distribute, four counts of distributing cocaine, possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of firearms. The indictment alleges that on October 9, 2018, Boatner possessed 500 grams or more of cocaine and six firearms. The indictment also charges him with distributing cocaine on four occasions in August, September, and October 2018.

If convicted, Boatner faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison on the charge alleging possession of 500 grams or more of cocaine, and 20 years on each distribution charge. The charge alleging possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years. Federal law requires that any such sentence be served consecutively to any sentence imposed on the possession with intent to distribute charge. Finally, the charge alleging that Boatner was a felon in possession of firearms has a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.

The charges against Boatner are 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.

Madison Man Charged with Unlawfully Possessing Firearm

Michael J. Hallmon, Jr., 33, Madison, Wisconsin, is charged with being a felon in

possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that on September 6, 2018, he possessed a loaded 9mm pistol.

If convicted, Hallmon 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 the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow.

Madison Man Charged with Being a Felon in Possession of Ammunition

Thomas J. Laramore, 33, Madison, Wisconsin, is charged with being a felon in possession of ammunition. The indictment alleges that he possessed ammunition on June 13, 2018.

If convicted, Laramore 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 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 charges against Boatner, Hallmon, and Laramore 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.

Town of Madison Man Charged with Attempting

To Possess Radioactive Material

Jeremy J. Ryan, 30, Town of Madison, Wisconsin, is charged with attempting to possess radioactive material with the intent to cause death or serious bodily injury.

Ryan was charged with this offense in a complaint unsealed in U.S. District Court on October 25. 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.

Ryan has been in federal custody since his arrest in Black Earth, Wisconsin on October 24. His arraignment is scheduled for November 15 at 11:30 a.m.

If convicted, Ryan faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Dane County Narcotics Task Force, Dane County

Sheriff’s Office, and Town of Madison Police Department. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Associate U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Anderson and Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Madison, and Trial Attorney Rebecca Magnone of the National Security Division at the U.S. Justice Department.

Madison Man Charged with Drug Crime

Edward C. Bartlett, 29, Madison, Wisconsin, is charged with possessing 500 grams or more of cocaine with the intent to distribute. The indictment alleges that he possessed the cocaine on October 10, 2018.

The indictment also seeks the forfeiture of a 2014 Maserati, which is alleged to have been used to facilitate the commission of the crime charged in the indictment.

If convicted, Bartlett 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 Dane County Narcotics Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Wegner.

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St. Paul Field Division