Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on July 25, 2017, a federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment against two men allegedly involved in firearms offenses in Northeastern Wisconsin. The indictment charges Gary W. Hancock (age: 24), and Jesus S. Zepeda (age: 29) of Shawano.

Both defendants are charged with conspiring to violate federal firearms laws, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371, and three counts of making false statements in connection with purchasing firearms, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(6). Hancock and Zepeda each face a maximum of 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both, and up to 3 years of supervised release, on the conspiracy charge, and up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, or both, and up to 3 years of supervised release, on each of the false statement charges.

According to the indictment, between December 2013 and February 2014, the defendants, and others, allegedly conspired to purchase firearms for residents of California. According to the indictment, Hancock and Zepeda received money from the California residents and purchased firearms for them at licensed firearms dealers in the Green Bay area. Hancock allegedly made false statements on firearms transfer forms in order to purchase two semiautomatic rifles and a semiautomatic handgun.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Maier.

An indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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