Isaiah Phillips, Aiding and Abetting a False Statement, Wisconsin 2023

MADISON, WI – Isaiah Phillips, 18, of Madison, Wisconsin, received a 60-day jail sentence today after pleading guilty to aiding and abetting a false statement during the purchase of firearms. Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson also sentenced Phillips to three years of supervised release following his incarceration, a penalty reflecting what the judge deemed a pattern of defiance and disregard for the law.

The case stems from a June 2, 2022 investigation by Fitchburg police into illegal gun purchases – known as straw purchasing – involving Phillips and two associates. Authorities discovered Phillips, being under 21, had enlisted another individual to purchase handguns on his behalf, circumventing federal laws prohibiting such sales to those under the age of 21.

On February 7, 2021, an accomplice purchased a Glock 19X in DeForest, Wisconsin, falsely claiming to be the actual buyer. The gun was intended for Phillips. That firearm was later stolen in March. Undeterred, Phillips then requested the same individual purchase a second handgun for him – a Glock 17 – on March 22, 2021. Again, the purchaser lied to the firearms dealer, stating she was the true owner. Phillips was found in possession of the Glock 17 during a traffic stop on July 17, 2022, leading to his arrest.

During sentencing, Judge Peterson didn’t mince words, stating Phillips was immersed in a “gun culture” and highlighting his consistent non-compliance with pretrial supervision requirements. The judge reportedly expressed frustration with Phillips’ behavior, noting he’d “never had someone as defiant on pretrial supervision.” Peterson characterized Phillips’ actions as irresponsible, self-destructive, and dangerous to the community.

The investigation was a collaborative effort involving the Fitchburg, Madison, Monona, and Middleton Police Departments, the Dane County Tactical Response Team, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathryn E. Ginsberg and Corey C. Stephan led the prosecution. The case is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by fostering collaboration between law enforcement and communities.

The PSN program, recently strengthened, focuses on building trust with communities, supporting violence prevention organizations, prioritizing strategic enforcement, and meticulously measuring results. While a relatively short jail sentence, the three years of supervised release could prove crucial in attempting to steer Phillips away from further involvement with firearms and criminal activity. The ATF continues to investigate illegal gun trafficking networks throughout the Western District of Wisconsin.

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