Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Michael Westfahl, 37, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, is charged with three counts of being a felon in possession of firearms.  The indictment alleges that on November 17, 2018, he possessed a .45 caliber handgun; that on December 1, 2018, he possessed a .308 rifle; and that on December 21, 2018, he possessed a loaded .223 rifle, a loaded .40 caliber handgun, and a loaded. 38 caliber handgun.  

 

If convicted, Westfahl faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison on each charge.  The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Wood County Sheriff’s Department, Stevens Point Police Department, Wisconsin Rapids Police Department, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The Adams County District Attorney’s Office and Portage County District Attorney’s Office assisted in this case.   The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan.

 

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