A Fitchburg man has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition, U.S. Attorney Chadwick M. Elgersma announced yesterday.
Kavant Smith, 25, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 24 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. Smith pleaded guilty to this charge on December 15, 2025. The prison term will be followed by 3 years of supervised release.
On January 27, 2025, Smith was the sole occupant and driver of a vehicle stopped by Fitchburg police. Officers searched the vehicle and found a loaded Smith & Wesson M&P 9 Shield 9mm handgun with a partially obliterated serial number under the passenger seat. While Smith denied knowing anything about the gun, a later DNA analysis concluded that Smith’s DNA was on swabs taken from the trigger, handle, and slide of the handgun.
Smith is prohibited from legally possessing firearms or ammunition due to prior felony convictions. At sentencing, Judge Peterson remarked that Smith’s criminal history was an aggravating factor as he had two other gun-related offenses. Smith was on state probation for a felon in possession conviction at the time of the federal offense. Smith also has a prior felony conviction that involved him committing a robbery with another suspect who was armed.
The charge against Smith was the result of an investigation conducted by the Fitchburg Police Department and the ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force, which is comprised of federal agents from ATF as well as state and local agents throughout the Western District of Wisconsin. Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan prosecuted this case.
Federal prosecutions by the U.S. government involving drugs and guns are part of the U.S. government’s Operation Take Back America. Operation Take Back America is a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the government to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The prison term will be followed by 3 years of supervised release.
Kavant Smith, 25, Fitchburg, Wisconsin, was sentenced to 2 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon.
Defendant: Kavant Smith
Criminal Charge: Possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon
City and State: Fitchburg, Wisconsin
Exact Date: January 27, 2025
Sentence: 2 years in federal prison followed by 3 years of supervised release
Related Federal Cases
- Diana Xiong, Felon in Possession of Firearm and Methamphetamine Distribution, Wisconsin 2020 · Wisconsin
- Tyrone Anthony Lamar Stewart, Possessing a Firearm as a Felon, Minnesota 2024 · Wisconsin
- Khamphanh Phakousonh, Methamphetamine Possession with Intent to Distribute and Firearm Possession, Wisconsin 2024 · Washington
- Michael Alexander, Felon in Possession of Firearm, Wisconsin 2024 · Wisconsin
- Dustin LaPuma, Stolen Ammunition Possession, Wisconsin 2020 · Wisconsin
Key Facts
- State: Wisconsin
- Category: Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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