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.
Three Trempealeau County Men Charged with Cocaine Conspiracy
Mark Ian Castro, 29, Cristian Andre Vazquez Velez, 22, and Michael Carmenatty Justiniano, 40, all of Independence, Wisconsin, are charged with conspiring to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. The indictment alleges that this conspiracy operated from August 2020 to July 2021.
The indictment further alleges that on June 29, 2021, Mark Ian Castro and Cristian Andre Vazquez Velez possessed firearms in furtherance of this drug trafficking crime. The indictment also charges these two men with attempting to possess cocaine for distribution on July 6, 2021, and with attempting to possess 500 grams of more of cocaine for distribution on July 14, 2021.
If convicted, each of the three defendants face a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison on the conspiracy charge. Mark Ian Castro and Cristian Andre Vazquez Velez each face a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years on the charge of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Federal law requires that any sentence imposed on this charge be served consecutive to any other prison sentence imposed. Those two also each face a maximum of 20 years on the charge of attempting to possess cocaine for distribution, and a mandatory minimum of 5 years and a maximum of 40 years on the charge of attempting to possess 500 grams or more of cocaine for distribution.
The charges against the defendants are the result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Service–Office of Inspector General; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation; Trempealeau County Sheriff’s Office; Winona County (Minnesota) Sheriff’s Office; Arcadia Police Department; and Independence Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chadwick Elgersma is handling the prosecution.
Beloit Man Charged with Drug & Gun Crimes
Eshawn M. Reed, 39, Beloit, Wisconsin, is charged with 3 counts of distributing crack cocaine, 1 count of possessing crack cocaine with the intent to distribute, 1 count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, and 1 count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The indictment alleges that Reed distributed crack cocaine on April 6, July 19, and August 5, 2021. The indictment further alleges that on August 10, 2021, he possessed crack cocaine for distribution and a loaded Ruger 57 handgun.
If convicted, Reed faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each of the distribution charges and the charge of possessing crack cocaine for distribution. The felon in possession of a firearm charge has a maximum penalty of 10 years and the charge of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime has a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years. Federal law requires that any sentence imposed on the charge of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime be served consecutive to any other sentence imposed.
The charges against Reed are the result of an investigation by the City and Town of Beloit Police Departments, Janesville Police Department, Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Anderson is handling the prosecution.
Middleton Man Charged with Gun Crime
Ramar A. Brown, 26, Middleton, Wisconsin, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that on October 12, 2021, Brown possessed a 9mm handgun.
If convicted, Brown faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Fitchburg Police Department, Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Anderson is handling the prosecution.