Anthony Bailey, Illegal Possession of a Loaded Firearm, Wisconsin 2023

MADISON, WI – Anthony Bailey, 33, of Madison, Wisconsin, is headed to federal prison for 27 months after admitting to illegally possessing a loaded firearm. U.S. District Judge William M. Conley delivered the sentence today, adding a three-year term of supervised release after Bailey serves his time. The conviction stems from a February 6, 2022 incident where officers responded to a domestic dispute.

According to court documents, Fitchburg Police responded to a noise complaint and found Bailey engaged in a physical altercation with his girlfriend in the street. After the fight subsided, Bailey voluntarily admitted to carrying a Glock handgun tucked into his waistband. This admission landed him in hot water, as Bailey is already prohibited from owning firearms due to prior felony convictions in 2008 and 2010.

Judge Conley didn’t pull punches during sentencing, citing Bailey’s blatant disregard for the legal system. The judge specifically pointed to Bailey’s non-compliance with pretrial supervision, including committing a new crime while failing to appear for a scheduled hearing related to this very case. “He has failed to choose a life path free from crime,” Conley stated, a damning indictment of Bailey’s repeated offenses.

The case was a joint effort between the Fitchburg Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with support from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor L. Kraus prosecuted the case, building a solid case against Bailey based on his own admission and his criminal history.

Federal officials are framing the prosecution as a win for Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by fostering collaboration between law enforcement and local communities. The program emphasizes building trust, supporting community organizations, and strategically focusing enforcement efforts.

Bailey’s sentence serves as a stark reminder that illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon carries significant consequences. The 27-month prison term, coupled with supervised release, is intended to deter future criminal activity and protect the public. The St. Paul Field Division of the ATF played a key role in the investigation leading to Bailey’s conviction.

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