Federal Grand Jury Returns Indictments

MADISON, WI—A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin, sitting in Madison, 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 FIVE BANK ROBBERIES

Paul E. Walker, 43, Madison, Wis., is charged with five counts of bank robbery. The indictment alleges that he committed the following robberies:

1. July 30, 2009 - US Bank, 389 East Campus Mall, Madison;
2. August 1, 2009 - Bank Mutual, 5521 Odana Road, Madison;
3. August 4, 2009 - Park Bank, 202 South Park Street, Madison;
4. August 6, 2009 - Associated Bank, 2001 McCoy Road, Sun Prairie, Wis.;
5. August 11, 2009 - Chase Bank, 602 North High Point Road, Madison.

If convicted, Walker faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count. The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the Madison Police Department, Sun Prairie Police Department, and Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution of this case has been assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney Meredith P. Duchemin.

WATERLOO MAN CHARGED WITH POSSESSION OF PIPE BOMB

Christopher Hamlin, 21, Waterloo, Wis., is charged with possession of a destructive device. The indictment alleges that he possessed a pipe bomb on August 6, 2009. If convicted, Hamlin faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Watertown Police Department, Dodge County Sheriff’s Department, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution of this case has been assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney Meredith P. Duchemin.

TWO EAU CLAIRE MEN CHARGED WITH DISTRIBUTING CRACK COCAINE

Andre G. Simmons, 30, and Muhammad Shimar Simmons, 30, both of Eau Claire, Wis., are charged with distributing crack cocaine. The indictment alleges that Andre G. Simmons distributed crack cocaine on June 24, July 1, July 8, July 13, and July 22, 2009. The indictment alleges that Muhammad Shimar Simmons distributed crack cocaine on June 19 and July 13, 2009. The two defendants are cousins.

If convicted, each man faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count charged. The charges against them are the result of an investigation by the West Central Drug Task Force. The prosecution of this case has been assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter M. Jarosz.

MADISON MAN CHARGED WITH FIREARM & DRUG CRIMES

Vernon Thornton, 46, Madison, Wis., is charged with being a felon in possession of ammunition and with two counts of possessing marijuana with intent to distribute. The indictment alleges that on February 26, 2009, he possessed 9mm, .22 caliber, and .380 caliber ammunition. The indictment also alleges that on February 26, 2009, at two locations in Madison, he possessed marijuana with intent to distribute. The indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation, seeking the forfeiture of a 2005 pickup truck allegedly used in the commission of the crimes charged in the indictment.

If convicted, Thornton faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison on the possession of ammunition charge, and 20 years in federal prison on each drug charge. The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the Dane County Narcotics and Gang Task Force. The prosecution of this case has been assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow.

MADISON MAN CHARGED WITH GUN CRIME

Thurman M. Wyatt, 29, Madison, Wis., is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that he possessed a .380 caliber semi-automatic firearm on May 4, 2009.

If convicted, Wyatt faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Verona Police Department, and Madison Police Department. The prosecution of this case has been assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Reinhard.

MADISON MAN CHARGED WITH DRUG & GUN CRIMES

Yarnell Fuller, 23, Madison, Wis., is charged with possessing heroin with intent to distribute and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The indictment alleges that he possessed the heroin and the firearm, a .38 caliber pistol, on August 11, 2009. Fuller was originally charged by a complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Madison on August 11.

If convicted, Fuller faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on the drug charge, and five years in federal prison on the firearm charge. The charges against him are the result of an investigation conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation; Drug Enforcement Administration; Madison Police Department; DeForest Police Department; McFarland Police Department; Middleton Police Department; Fitchburg Police Department; Sun Prairie Police Department; and the Dane County Narcotics and Gang Task Force. The prosecution of this case has been assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul W. Connell and Jeffrey M. Anderson.

CHICAGO MAN CHARGED WITH GUN CRIME

Carlos G. Lewis, 19, Chicago, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The indictment alleges that he possessed a .40 caliber pistol and ammunition on August 25, 2009.

If convicted, Lewis 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. The prosecution of this case has been assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow.