Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Jere Wipfli, 48, Nekoosa, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 72 months in federal prison for illegally possessing a sawed-off shotgun. Wipfli pleaded guilty to this charge on August 16, 2019.

On May 24, 2018, Wipfli failed to appear for a jury trial in Adams County, Wisconsin. Law enforcement officers traveled to Wipfli’s Nekoosa home where they arrested him. While at Wipfli's residence, officers observed freshly fired shell casings on the deck and driveway. A condition of Wipfli's bond prohibited him from possessing weapons. Officers obtained a search warrant for Wipfli's residence and seized a sawed-off Remington 12-gauge shotgun, as well as evidence of drug distribution. During an interview with law enforcement, Wipfli admitted to possessing the weapon and knowing it was illegal due to its length.

The charge against Wipfli was the result of an investigation conducted by the Rome Police Department, Juneau County Sheriff’s Office, Necedah Police Department, Nekoosa Police Department, Adams County District Attorney’s Office, Juneau County District Attorney’s Office, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chadwick M. Elgersma handled the prosecution.

This case was brought as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, 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 crimes and drug crimes that involve the use of firearms.

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