BELOIT, WI – Byron D. Broomfield, 37, of Beloit, Wisconsin, is headed to federal prison for 6 ½ years after being sentenced on June 4, 2024, by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley. Broomfield pleaded guilty in February to possessing firearms after a prior felony conviction and maintaining a residence used for drug trafficking – a one-stop shop for weed and weaponry, according to investigators.
The Beloit Police Department started digging into Broomfield’s operation back in January 2023. A routine trash pull revealed a steady stream of evidence pointing to substantial marijuana dealing. But the real picture came into focus when officers surveilled Broomfield’s home in March. They watched two separate groups arrive with empty bags/backpacks, enter the residence, and quickly leave with the same containers noticeably heavier. A traffic stop of the first group revealed two pounds of marijuana, with the buyers readily admitting they’d purchased it from Broomfield. Authorities already knew Broomfield had a history with firearms, adding another layer of danger to the situation.
A subsequent search warrant turned up a motherlode: 6,599 grams of commercially packaged marijuana, clearly intended for distribution. But the drugs weren’t the only illegal items found. Police also recovered a loaded Taurus G3C 9mm handgun with Broomfield’s DNA all over it. The search extended to Broomfield’s vehicle, where officers discovered a Glock Model 19 with a dangerous and illegal “switch” attached – a device that transforms a semi-automatic pistol into a fully automatic machine gun. They also found a Masterpiece Arms Defender 9mm, its serial number deliberately obliterated, making it untraceable and a favorite of those operating outside the law.
Judge Conley didn’t mince words at sentencing, stating that gun violence “plagues the nation” and specifically impacts communities like Beloit. He highlighted the extreme risk Broomfield posed to the public by possessing a handgun rigged with a Glock switch, a clear escalation of potential harm. This wasn’t a first offense, either. Broomfield already has a federal felony conviction on his record – a 2010 conviction for distributing cocaine in the Western District of Wisconsin. He’s proving to be a repeat offender, consistently putting himself and the public at risk.
The investigation was a coordinated effort involving the Beloit Police Department, the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Wisconsin State Patrol, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn Ginsberg prosecuted the case. This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal program designed to reduce violent crime through collaboration between federal and state law enforcement.
PSN focuses on tackling gun crime, particularly cases involving convicted felons illegally possessing firearms and drug-related violence. Broomfield’s case serves as a stark reminder that those who choose to profit from illegal activity and endanger the public will face serious consequences. The Grimy Times will continue to follow federal cases like this, bringing the truth to light, no matter how dark.
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Key Facts
- State: Wisconsin
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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