James Turner Sentenced

James M. Turner, 32, of Madison, Wisconsin, has been sentenced to two concurrent 24-month federal prison terms for possessing drugs with the intent to distribute and a firearm as a convicted felon.

Turner pled guilty to the charges on March 13, 2019, and his prison term will be followed by a three-year period of supervised release. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson.

The case against Turner began on November 11, 2018, when Wisconsin State Patrol Troopers stopped him in Dane County for speeding and erratic driving. Turner was arrested after he reached for a loaded revolver on the passenger’s seat. During a subsequent search of Turner’s car, the Troopers found 27.5 grams of a substance that later tested positive for cocaine.

Turner has prior felony convictions for delivering cocaine and possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute. These convictions, combined with the new charges, demonstrate a pattern of illegal activity that has resulted in significant consequences for Turner.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Department’s program to reduce violent crime. The PSN approach involves collaboration by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and communities to prevent and deter gun violence.

The charge against Turner was the result of an investigation conducted by the Wisconsin State Patrol. This prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow. United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, Scott C. Blader, announced the sentencing.

The sentence of 24 months is a significant one, and it reflects the seriousness with which the court views Turner’s crimes. By imposing this sentence, the court is sending a strong message that drug and gun crimes will not be tolerated in the community.

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