Two Indictments Unsealed

MADISON, WI—Stephen P. Sinnott, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced the unsealing of two indictments returned by a federal grand jury in Madison on July 22. The first indictment charged Eric Edward Garvey, 39, Danbury, Wis., with four counts of distributing methamphetamine. If convicted, Garvey faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each charge. Jury selection and trial have been set for October 18, 2010, before Chief District Judge William M. Conley.

The second indictment unsealed charged Eric Edward Garvey, along with Chad Alan Wyttenbach, 35, Somerset, Wis., and Victor Ernest Trejo, 51, Prescott, Wis. The ten-count indictment charges the defendants with conspiracy, carrying a five-year maximum penalty; six counts of the interstate transportation of stolen vehicles carrying a 10-year maximum penalty on each count; one count of the interstate transportation of stolen goods carrying a 10-year maximum penalty; one count of possessing stolen goods carrying a 10-year maximum penalty; and one count of possessing stolen motor vehicles carrying a 10-year maximum penalty.

Garvey and Trejo appeared in U.S. District Court on Monday, July 26, 2010, after being arrested by the Burnett County Sheriff’s Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Wyttenbach will appear in court on August 9, 2010, pursuant to a summons. Jury selection and trial have been set for November 1, 2010, before Chief District Judge William M. Conley.

United States Attorney Sinnott stated that the first indictment was the result of an investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Burnett County Sheriff's Department and St. Croix Tribal Police Department. The second indictment was the result of an investigation conducted by the Sheriffs’ Departments of Dunn County, Burnett County, Barron County, St. Croix County, Chippewa County, and Polk County; New Richmond and Webb Lake Police Departments; and Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution of both cases is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter M. Jarosz.