Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that David Hartwig, 34, Menomonie, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 81 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a felon and for possessing heroin with intent to distribute. This prison term will be followed by 3 years of supervised release.

On May 6, 2020, undercover officers approached Hartwig as part of a drug trafficking investigation. Upon seeing the officers, Hartwig ran, resulting in a short pursuit during which Hartwig displayed a 9mm pistol. After tackling Hartwig, officers recovered the gun along with a backpack Hartwig dropped. The backpack contained an additional magazine loaded with 9mm ammunition, heroin packaged for sale, Hartwig’s wallet, and a small amount of methamphetamine.

At the time of these offenses, Hartwig was on community supervision in connection with a 2011 Wisconsin conviction for delivery of heroin and a 2019 Wisconsin conviction for possession of methamphetamine. Under federal law, he has been prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition since 2007.

At sentencing Judge Peterson remarked that Hartwig’s persistent drug offenses, along with acts of violence in his criminal history, made him a danger to the community. Judge Peterson also noted that Hartwig’s illegal possession of the firearm demonstrated his disregard of the law, as did the fact he fled from officers.

The investigation in this case was conducted by the West Central Drug Task Force, Dunn County Sheriff’s Office, Menomonie Police Department, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant United States Attorney Taylor L. Kraus.