Federal Grand Jury Returns Indictments

MADISON, WI—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.

Former City of Beloit Employee Charged with Theft of Government Property

Timothy L. Kosier, 45, Beloit, Wis., is charged with stealing property owned by the City of Beloit. The indictment alleges that from January 2009 through June 2011, Kosier, while employed as the Water Resources Maintenance Supervisor in the City of Beloit’s Water Resources Department, stole property valued at $5,000 or more. The indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation, seeking the forfeiture of any items allegedly obtained by Kosier as a result of the offense charged in the indictment.

Kosier was charged in a complaint filed in U.S. District Court on August 12, 2011. He was arrested by the FBI in Hawaii on August 23. He appeared at a detention hearing in federal court in Hawaii on August 26 and was ordered detained. He will be returned to Wisconsin to appear in federal court in Madison. A date for this initial appearance in Madison has not been set.

If convicted, Kosier faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the Beloit Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution of this case has been assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney Meredith P. Duchemin.

Two Charged with Armed Robbery of Waunakee Credit Union

Gregory C. Taylor, 41, and Tyree A. Walker, 33, both of Milwaukee, are charged with the armed robbery of the Summit Credit Union, Waunakee, Wis., on August 29, 2011. The indictment also charges them with using a firearm during a crime of violence. The indictment alleges that Taylor brandished a handgun during the robbery.

If convicted, Taylor and Walker face a maximum penalty of 25 years in federal prison on the robbery charge, and a penalty of seven years on the firearm charge. The charges against them are the result of an investigation by the Waunakee Police Department, Dane County Sheriff’s Department, Madison Police Department, and Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution of this case has been assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy M. O’Shea.

Madison Man Charged with Gun Crime

Sherman Allen, 31, Madison, Wis., is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The indictment alleges that on August 27, 2011, he possessed a .45 caliber pistol and ammunition.

If convicted, Allen 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.

Madison Man Charged with Gun Crime

Gerald Hopewell, 36, Madison, Wis., is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The indictment alleges that on August 31, 2011, he possessed a .357 revolver and ammunition.

If convicted, Hopewell 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 Elizabeth Altman.

Arpin Woman Charged with Theft of Government Funds

Rose Svoboda, 76, Arpin, Wis., is charged with converting to her own use money belonging to the Social Security Administration. The indictment alleges that from October 2009 to November 2009, she converted to her own use more than $1,000 in Social Security funds.

If convicted, Svoboda faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. The charge against her is the result of an investigation by the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General. The prosecution of this case has been assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow.

Two Men Charged with Illegally Re-Entering United States

In unrelated cases, three Mexican citizens are charged with illegally re-entering the United States after previously being deported. The defendants charged are:

1. Ramon Cruz-Gonzalez, 31, found in Dane County on July 28, 2011;
2. Benjamin Aguilar-Manjarrez, 43, found in Jefferson County on June 14, 2011; and
3. Jose Luis Benito Obregon Hernandez, 22, found in Fort Atkinson, Wis., on September 7, 2011.

If convicted, Cruz-Gonzalez and Aguilar-Manjarrez each face a maximum penalty of two years in federal prison, and Obregon Hernandez faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. The charges against them are the result of investigations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Office of Homeland Security Investigations. The prosecution of Cruz-Gonzalez and Aguilar-Manjarrez has been assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy M. O’Shea, and the prosecution of Obregon Hernandez has been assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman.