MADISON, WIS. -- A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin, sitting in Madison, returned the following indictments. You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Two Florida Men Charged with Kidnapping
Gerardo Hernandez Anselmo, 34, and Felipe Engracia-Gonzalez, 39, both of Kissimmee, Florida, are charged with kidnapping an individual and holding him for money. The indictment alleges that on June 9, 2022, they transported the victim from Wisconsin to Florida.
Anselmo and Engracia-Gonzalez previously were charged with this offense in a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin on June 23, 2022. The complaint alleges that on June 9 the two defendants forced an individual into a vehicle in Abbotsford, Wisconsin, and transported him to Florida to work off a debt owed to the defendants.
Anselmo and Engracia-Gonzalez were arrested in Florida and are in federal custody. A date for their initial appearance in Wisconsin has not been set. If convicted, Anselmo and Engracia-Gonzalez face a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. The charge against them is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Marathon County Sheriff’s Office, Colby-Abbotsford Police Department, and the Kissimmee (Florida) Police Department, with assistance from the Marathon County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman is handling the prosecution.
La Crosse County Man Charged with Drug & Gun Crimes
Todd Allyn Valentine, 53, Holmen, Wisconsin, is charged with possessing 500 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, with being a felon in possession of a firearm, and with maintaining a drug house. The indictment alleges that on April 20, 2021, Valentine possessed 500 grams or more of methamphetamine for distribution and a loaded .22 pistol. The indictment further alleges that from March to April 2021, he maintained a place in Holmen for the purpose of distributing methamphetamine.
If convicted, Valentine faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison on the charge of possessing 500 grams or more of methamphetamine for distribution, 10 years on the felon in possession of a firearm charge, and 20 years on the charge of maintaining a drug house. The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the La Crosse Police Department, La Crosse and Marquette County Sheriffs’ Offices, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven Anderson and Chadwick Elgersma are handling the case.
Baraboo Man Charged with Drug Crimes
Paul R. Ripp, 49, Baraboo, Wisconsin, is charged with 2 counts of distributing methamphetamine and 2 counts of possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. The indictment alleges that he distributed methamphetamine on November 2 and 29, 2021, and that on March 28 and 29, 2022, he possessed 50 grams or more of methamphetamine for distribution.
If convicted, Ripp faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each distribution charge. The charges alleging the possession of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years and a maximum of 40 years. The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the Columbia and Sauk County Sheriffs’ Offices. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Anderson is handling the prosecution.
Madison Man Charged with Drug Crimes Involving Fentanyl, Heroin & Crack Cocaine
Earl Galtney, Jr., is charged with 3 counts of distributing fentanyl, 2 counts of distributing heroin, 2 counts of distributing a mixture containing both heroin and fentanyl, and 1 count of distributing fentanyl and crack cocaine. The indictment alleges that these 8 distributions occurred between April 18 and June 9, 2022. The indictment further alleges that one of the fentanyl distributions involved 40 grams or more of the drug.
If convicted, Galtney faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years and a maximum of 40 years on the charge alleging the distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl. The other seven charges each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years. The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the Dane County Narcotics Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Reinhard is handling the prosecution.
Wausau Man Charged with Drug & Gun Crimes
Trenton McCorkle, 26, Wausau, Wisconsin, is charged with possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The indictment alleges that on December 14, 2021, he possessed 50 grams or more of methamphetamine for distribution and a loaded .45 caliber handgun and ammunition.
If convicted, McCorkle faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison on the drug charge. The gun charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years. The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the Wisconsin State Patrol, Rothschild Police Department, Marathon County Sheriff’s Office, Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force, Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor Kraus is handling the prosecution.
La Crosse Man Charged with Illegally Possessing Firearm
Anthony J. James, 38, La Crosse, Wisconsin, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that on April 3, 2022, he possessed a .22 caliber handgun.
If convicted, James faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Wisconsin State Patrol and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Anderson is handling the prosecution.
The indictments against Valentine, McCorkle and James are brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN 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.
Last Update: Jul 14, 2022 8:08 am CDT
