MADISON, WI – Byron Ellison, 28, of Windsor, Wisconsin, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced yesterday to 3 ½ years for a dangerous combination: dealing heroin and fentanyl while illegally possessing a machinegun. U.S. District Judge William M. Conley delivered the sentence, followed by a three-year term of supervised release.
The case, prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan, unfolded between September 9, 2023, and October 9, 2023, when Ellison repeatedly sold a heroin and fentanyl mixture to an undercover officer – four times in just over a month. The operation culminated in a search warrant executed at Ellison’s residence on October 17, 2023, revealing a chilling arsenal.
Investigators discovered a loaded Polymer 80 9mm handgun fitted with an illegal “Glock switch” inside a safe in Ellison’s bedroom. This switch transforms a semi-automatic Glock into a fully automatic machinegun, capable of rapid, indiscriminate fire. The same safe also held a Mini Draco AK47-variant pistol and 13 grams of the deadly heroin/fentanyl mix. Adding to the danger, a loaded .40 caliber Polymer 80 handgun was found in a backpack within Ellison’s room.
Polymer 80 handguns, commonly known as “ghost guns,” are privately made firearms lacking serial numbers, assembled from kits or separate parts. These untraceable weapons pose a significant threat to public safety. The Glock switch further exacerbates the risk, turning a handgun into a weapon of mass destruction in the wrong hands. Authorities say Ellison’s combination of drug dealing and access to these firearms was a recipe for disaster.
During sentencing, Judge Conley acknowledged Ellison’s lack of prior prison time but emphasized the seriousness of the offenses. He specifically pointed to Ellison’s role as a drug dealer armed with a ghost gun and a switch, highlighting the potential for widespread harm. The charges stemmed from a collaborative investigation led by the Dane County Narcotics Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a Justice Department initiative focused on reducing violent crime through coordinated efforts between federal, state, and local law enforcement. PSN targets gun crime, particularly by individuals illegally possessing firearms and ammunition, and addresses violent and drug-related offenses involving firearms. Ellison’s conviction serves as a warning: those who peddle poison and arm themselves with illegal weapons will face the full force of the law.
Related Federal Cases
- Fort Atkinson Drug Kingpin Gets Life for Heroin Death · Wisconsin
- Green Bay Meth Dealer Ly Gets 7 Years · Wisconsin
- Oshkosh Fentanyl Dealer Gets 20 Years for Four Deaths · Wisconsin
- Madison Narc Drug Dealer Boatner Gets 10-Year Federal Sentence · Wisconsin
- La Crosse Drug Dealer Thoreson Gets 7-Year Lockup · Wisconsin
Key Facts
- State: Wisconsin
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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