Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

United States Attorney Scott C. Blader

Western District of Wisconsin

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.

Two Madison Men Charged with Armed Robbery

Johnell L. Britt, 20, and Lamontay D. Rivera, 20, both of Madison, Wisconsin, are charged with the armed robbery of a Madison business, and with brandishing firearms during this crime of violence. The indictment alleges that Britt and Rivera robbed the Subway restaurant on Cottage Grove Road on August 20, 2018, and that they brandished firearms while committing the robbery.

If convicted, Britt and Rivera face a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on the robbery charge, and a mandatory minimum penalty of seven years on the charge of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. Federal law requires that any penalty imposed for this charge be served consecutive to any sentence imposed on the robbery charge.

The charges against Britt and Rivera are the result of an investigation by the Madison Police Department and Dane County Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow.

Baraboo Man Charged with Illegally Possessing Firearms & Ammunition

Matthew J. Soban, 27, Baraboo, Wisconsin, is charged with being a felon in possession of two firearms and ammunition. The indictment alleges that on July 30, 2018, he possessed a .40 caliber pistol, a .32 caliber handgun, and six rounds of .40 caliber ammunition.

If convicted, Soban faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Baraboo 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.

The charges against Britt, Rivera, and Soban 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.

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