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.

Two Superior Residents Charged with Methamphetamine Conspiracy & Distribution

Christina Nord, 35, and Steven Ranta, 42, both of Superior, Wisconsin, are charged with conspiring to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.  The indictment alleges that the conspiracy operated between December 2 and December 31, 2019. 

The indictment also charges Nord with seven counts of distributing methamphetamine and Ranta with five counts of distributing methamphetamine during December 2019.  Finally, the indictment charges that on December 31, 2019, Nord and Ranta possessed 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.

If convicted, Nord and Ranta face a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison on the conspiracy charge and the possession with intent to distribute charge alleging 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and a maximum penalty of 20 years on the distribution charges. 

The charges against them are the result of an investigation by the Superior Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor Kraus is handling the prosecution. 

Eau Claire Man Charged with Crimes Involving Methamphetamine & Heroin

Marnell Davis, 34, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, is charged with distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, with possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and with possessing heroin with intent to distribute.  The indictment alleges that he distributed 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on March 27, 2020, and that he possessed heroin and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute on April 7, 2020.



If convicted, Davis faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison on the two charges alleging 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and a maximum penalty of 20 years on the heroin charge. 

The charges against him are the result of an investigation by West Central Drug Task Force; Chippewa, Dunn, and Eau Claire County Sheriffs’ Departments; Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, and Menomonie Police Departments; Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation; and the Drug Enforcement Administration.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Anderson is handling the prosecution.

La Crosse Man Charged with Possessing Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute

James Dean, 36, La Crosse, Wisconsin, is charged with possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.  The indictment alleges that he possessed the methamphetamine on February 5, 2020. 

If convicted, Dean 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 La Crosse Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron D. Wegner is handling the prosecution. 

Two Charged with Methamphetamine Crimes

Alexander Cappard, 26, Apple Valley, Minnesota, and Alisha Heiman, 30, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, are charged with distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and with possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.  The indictment alleges that they distributed and possessed 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on March 16, 2020.

If convicted, Cappard and Heiman face a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison on each charge.  The charges against them are the result of an investigation by the West Central Drug Task Force.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron D. Wegner is handling the prosecution.

Madison Man Charged with Drug Crimes Involving Heroin & Cocaine

Emmanuel O. Stephen, 30, Madison, Wisconsin, is charged with possessing 100 grams or more of heroin with intent to distribute, and with possessing cocaine with intent to distribute.  The indictment alleges that he possessed the heroin and cocaine on December 6, 2019.

If convicted, Stephen faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum of 40 years on the charge alleging 100 grams or more of heroin.  He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years on the cocaine charge. 

The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, Madison Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Dane County Narcotics Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Schlipper is handling the prosecution. 

Madison Man Charged with Drug & Gun Crimes

Phillip Thomas, 30, Madison, Wisconsin, is charged with distributing crack cocaine and methamphetamine on March 31 and April 1, 2020, with possessing heroin with intent to distribute on April 3, 2020, and with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.  The indictment alleges that he possessed a shotgun and ammunition on April 3, 2020.

If convicted, Thomas faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each of the three drug charges, and 10 years on the gun charge. The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Sun Prairie Police Department, 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

Hamin Williams, 37, Madison, Wisconsin, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and with possessing fentanyl and oxycodone with the intent to distribute.  The indictment alleges that on April 24, 2020, he possessed a loaded .32 caliber pistol and fentanyl and oxycodone. 

If convicted, Williams faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison on the felon in possession of a firearm charge, and 20 years in federal prison on the drug 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. 

Man Charged with Being a Felon in Possession of Firearm

Thomas R. Olsem, 52, Luck, Wisconsin, is charged with being a felon in possession of firearms.  The indictment alleges that on March 8, 2020, Olsem possessed a .22 caliber pen gun and a loaded .380 caliber handgun.

If convicted, Olsem faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.  The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey C. Stephan is handling the prosecution.

The indictments charging Thomas, Williams, and Olsem 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. 

Man Charged with Producing Child Pornography

Gerardo Junior Torres, 23, Chicago, Illinois, is charged with two counts of producing child pornography.  The indictment alleges that on January 15 and January 21, 2020, he intentionally used a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct.

If convicted, Torres faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years and a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison on each charge. The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, Ladysmith Police Department, and Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman is handling the prosecution.

Man Charged with Escape

Theodore Thurman, 25, Rockford, Illinois, is charged with escape.  The indictment alleges that on January 27, 2020, Thurman failed to remain within the extended limits of his confinement and return within the time prescribed to the Rock Valley Community Programs Center in Janesville, Wisconsin.

If convicted, Thurman faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison.  The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow is handling the prosecution.