La Crosse, WI – Anthony James, 39, is headed to federal prison for nearly two and a half years after being caught with a handgun despite a lengthy rap sheet including a domestic violence conviction. Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson sentenced James to 29 months behind bars on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, for possessing a firearm after previously being convicted of a felony.
The case unfolded on April 3, 2022, when a Wisconsin State Patrol trooper pulled over James in La Crosse County. The initial stop was for mundane violations – suspended vehicle registration and illegally tinted windows. But the trooper’s keen nose caught a whiff of marijuana, leading to a search. Inside a lockbox, opened with a key conveniently on James’s keyring, was a .22 caliber Sterling handgun.
This wasn’t James’s first brush with the law, far from it. Court records reveal a 2018 conviction in Sheboygan County for felony strangulation/suffocation – a particularly disturbing offense that weighed heavily on Judge Peterson’s sentencing decision. James also has prior felony convictions in Illinois for forgery and retail theft, adding to a pattern of criminal behavior. At the time of his arrest, he was already under state supervision for previous convictions in both Kenosha and Ozaukee Counties.
While acknowledging mitigating factors – the gun wasn’t loaded and was secured in a locked container – Judge Peterson made it clear that James’s history, particularly the domestic abuse conviction, was a significant aggravating factor. The judge expressed concern about the danger posed by a convicted abuser possessing a firearm, even if it wasn’t actively used in another crime. The decision reflects a growing judicial trend of prioritizing public safety in cases involving domestic violence and firearms.
The investigation was a collaborative effort between the Wisconsin State Patrol and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Anderson led the prosecution, successfully arguing for a sentence that reflects the seriousness of James’s offense and his extensive criminal background. James’s plea was entered on February 10, 2023.
The case serves as a stark reminder that individuals with felony convictions are prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law. The ATF and its state partners continue to aggressively pursue those who violate these laws, aiming to keep dangerous weapons out of the hands of those who pose a threat to the community. This conviction represents another small victory in the ongoing battle against gun violence and the cycle of recidivism.
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- Melahn McClendon, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Illinois 2023 · Illinois
- James Johnson, Firearm Offense, California 2022 · Illinois
- Fabian Jones, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Wisconsin 2024 · Illinois
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