Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Grand Jury Returned Indictments
MADISON, WIS. -- A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin, sitting in Madison, has returned the following indictments yesterday. You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
MADISON MAN CHARGED WITH ARMED ROBBERIES
PLEASE NOTE: There will be a press conference today at 2:00 p.m., regarding this case. The press conference with United States Attorney John W. Vaudreuil and Madison Police Chief Michael C. Koval will be held in the Community Room at the Madison Police Department Central District, 211 South Carroll Street.
James Sexton, 34, Madison, Wis., is charged with five armed robberies of businesses in Madison during April and May 2014, and with brandishing a firearm during the commission of each robbery. The indictment alleges that he committed the armed robbery of:
- Pizza Extreme on Monroe Street, on April 29;
- Burrito Drive on Brearly Street, on May 4;
- Players Sports Bar and Grill on Winnebago Street, on May 7;
- Toppers Pizza on Mineral Point Road, on May 13; and
- Market Basket on Mifflin Street, on May 15.
The indictment alleges that during each robbery, Sexton brandished a .40 caliber pistol. The indictment further alleges that during the Burrito Drive and Players Sports Bar and Grill robberies, an unknown accomplice sprayed an unknown chemical at the employees or patrons of these businesses, and that during the Toppers Pizza robbery, the unknown accomplice displayed a canister containing an unknown chemical.
If convicted, Sexton faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison for each armed robbery. The first charge of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence carries a mandatory minimum penalty of seven years in federal prison, to be served consecutively to the sentence imposed for the corresponding robbery. Each additional charge of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 25 years in federal prison, to be served consecutively to the corresponding robbery sentence.
The charges against Sexton are the result of an investigation by the Madison Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution of this case will be handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow.
MADISON MAN CHARGED WITH GUN CRIME
Lance Slizewski, 29, Madison, Wis., is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that on July 9, 2014, Slizewski possessed a .40 caliber pistol.
If convicted, Slizewski faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Madison Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution of this case will be handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow.
MADISON MAN CHARGED WITH DRUG CRIME
Jose Francisco Gomez-Jara, also known as Panchito, 32, Madison, Wis., is charged with possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute. The indictment alleges that on July 16, 2014, Gomez-Jara possessed 500 grams or more of cocaine.
If convicted, Gomez-Jara faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum penalty of 40 years in federal prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Dane County Narcotics Task Force. The prosecution of this case will be handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Reinhard and Timothy O’Shea.
MAN CHARGED WITH ILLEGALLY REENTERING U.S.
Diego Fernando Castillo-Cruz, 39, a citizen of Mexico found living in Madison, Wis., is charged with illegally reentering the United States after previously being deported. The indictment alleges that he was found in the Uited States on July 16, 2014.
If convicted, Castillo-Cruz faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The prosecution of this case will be handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Reinhard and Timothy O’Shea.