Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

MADISON, WIS. -- John W. Vaudreuil, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that James M. Kruger, 38, Madison, Wis., was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 15 years in federal prison for twice possessing firearms as a felon. Kruger pleaded guilty to these charges on July 2, 2015.

In connection with his guilty plea, Kruger admitted that he possessed a .22 rifle in Madison in August 2013. Kruger also admitted that he possessed three firearms on September 10, 2013 -- a Savage long rifle, a loaded 9mm semi-automatic handgun, and a loaded 12 gauge shotgun.

Judge Conley enhanced Kruger’s sentence because Kruger stole the firearms on September 10, 2013 and then used the weapons to rob a relative, threaten a woman who lived in rural Grant County, kidnap the woman’s husband, and steal a truck. Judge Conley also observed that Kruger stole a second vehicle on September 10 and led police officers on a high speed chase through Grant, Iowa, and Dane Counties. During the chase, Kruger drove in excess of 100 miles per hour and drove against traffic on Wisconsin State Highway 18-151.

United States Attorney Vaudreuil stated, “This sentence protects the public by ensuring that James Kruger, a very dangerous man, will remain behind bars for a long time.”

The charges against Kruger were the result of an investigation conducted by the Grant and Iowa County Sheriffs’ Departments; the Cassville, Mount Horeb, and Madison Police Departments; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy M. O’Shea and Peter M. Jarosz.

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United States Attorney John W. Vaudreuil Western District of Wisconsin