Rusk County Man Charged With Possessing Methamphetamine For Distribution

GRAND JURY RETURNS INDICTMENTS

MADISON, WIS. -- A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin, sitting in Madison, returned the following indictments today. You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Man Charged with Armed Robberies in Rock & Dane Counties

Devonti Wilson, 36, Janesville, Wisconsin, is charged with robbing seven businesses in Janesville, Fitchburg, and Madison, Wisconsin and attempting to rob a business in Madison, in September 2020. The indictment also charges Wilson with brandishing a firearm during each robbery, and with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The indictment alleges that he robbed the following businesses:

1. Lions Quick Mart on Milton Avenue in Janesville on September 8;
2. Kelley Williamson Mobil on Fish Hatchery Road in Fitchburg on September 8;
3. 7-Eleven on South Park Street in Madison on September 8;
4. Attempted to rob the BP gas station on East Washington Avenue in Madison on September 8;
5. Kwik Trip on East Memorial Drive in Janesville on September 10;
6. Lions Quick Mart on East Memorial Drive in Janesville on September 10;
7. Exxon Tigermart on Milton Avenue in Janesville on September 10; and
8. Walgreens on Milton Avenue in Janesville on September 10.

If convicted, Wilson faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each robbery charge, and a mandatory penalty of seven years on each charge of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. Any penalty imposed on the brandishing a firearm charges would be served consecutive to any other penalty imposed. The felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.

The charges against Wilson are the result of an investigation by the Janesville, Fitchburg and Madison Police Departments and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor L. Kraus is handling the prosecution.

Madison Man Charged with Drug & Gun Crimes

Lucas J. Anderson, 25, Madison, Wisconsin, is charged with distributing crack cocaine and with being a felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that he distributed crack cocaine on May 1, 2020, and that he possessed a loaded .40 caliber pistol on August 17, 2020.

If convicted, Anderson faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on the drug charge and 10 years on the felon in possession of a firearm charge. The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the Madison Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow is handling the prosecution.

Madison Man Charged with Illegally Possessing Firearm

Jaime Williams, 33, Madison, Wisconsin, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that he possessed a loaded 9mm pistol on September 26, 2020.

If convicted, Williams 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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow is handling the prosecution.

The indictments charging Wilson, Anderson, and Williams have 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 crimes and drug crimes that involve the use of firearms.

Rusk County Man Charged with Possessing Methamphetamine for Distribution

Eric G. Cooke, 50, Ladysmith, Wisconsin, is charged with possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. The indictment alleges that he possessed the methamphetamine on July 2, 2020.

If convicted, Cooke faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the West Central Drug Task Force; the Chippewa, Clark, and Rusk County Sheriffs’ Offices; the Ladysmith Police Department; and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven P. Anderson is handling the prosecution.