Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

MADISON, Wis. – Timothy M. O’Shea, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Reggie Golden, 39, of Madison was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 30 months for possessing heroin with intent to distribute and illegally possessing a firearm. Golden pleaded guilty to these charges on July 18. 

On March 1, law enforcement officers from the Madison Police Department and the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force located Golden, who was wanted on state drug charges, inside of a mall in Madison. After arresting Golden, officers asked him whether he had any firearms. Golden admitted that he had a gun inside of a bag that he wore across his torso. Officers removed the bag, searched it and found a loaded 9 mm pistol, a digital scale, two cell phones and 19 individual packages that contained a total of 21 grams of a substance that field-tested positive for fentanyl and heroin.      

During a post-arrest interview, Golden waived his Miranda rights and admitted that he possessed the heroin and firearm. He claimed he purchased the pistol from an unknown person at a gas station two months before his arrest. Golden also admitted to being a 26-year member of the Black Disciples street gang.

In sentencing Golden, Peterson noted that Golden has a history of illegally possessing firearms. Peterson also highlighted the danger that guns pose to the community when used by drug traffickers. 

U.S. Attorney O’Shea stated, “Armed drug dealers are dangerous in two ways. First, opiate drugs like fentanyl and heroin are incredibly addictive and dangerous. A single dose containing fentanyl can kill. Second, the risk of community danger increases exponentially when drug dealers, like Golden, carry high powered weapons. My office is dedicated to working with communities and our law enforcement partners to hold armed drug dealers accountable.”

The charges against Golden were the result of an investigation conducted by the Madison Police Department, FBI, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Chadwick M. Elgersma prosecuted this case.

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