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.

Minocqua Man Charged with Possessing Child Pornography

Matthew K. Kummer, 50, Minocqua, Wisconsin, is charged with possessing child pornography.  The indictment alleges that on October 27, 2019, he possessed a USB storage device containing visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.  The indictment further alleges that at least one of the depictions involved a minor who had not attained 12 years of age.

If convicted, Kummer faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years and a maximum of 20 years in federal prison.  The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, and Minocqua and Woodruff Police Departments.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman is handling the prosecution.

Eau Claire Man Charged with Transporting Child Pornography

Jay A. Liestman, 48, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, is charged with transporting and aiding and abetting the transportation of child pornography.  The indictment alleges that he used Kik messenger to send a link that led to images and videos of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

If convicted, Liestman faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum of 20 years in federal prison.  The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Eau Claire County Sheriff’s Office, and Eau Claire Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman is handling the prosecution.

The indictments charging Kummer and Liestman have been brought as a part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.



Milwaukee Man Charged with Distributing Heroin

Michael Carroll, 49, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is charged in a six-count indictment with crimes involving the possession and distribution of heroin.  The indictment alleges that from September to November 2019, he conspired with others known and unknown to the grand jury to distribute heroin and to possess 100 grams or more of heroin with intent to distribute.  The indictment also alleges that he distributed heroin on four occasions in September, October, and November 2019, and that on November 19, 2019, he possessed heroin with intent to distribute. 

If convicted, Carroll faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison on the conspiracy charge.  The other five charges in the indictment each have a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.  The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the Madison Police Department, Dane County Narcotics Task Force, Dane County Sheriff’s Office, Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, and UW-Madison Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Schlipper is handling the prosecution.