Leo Lacey, Illegally Possessing Firearms and Ammunition, Wisconsin 2026

Leo Lacey, Eau Claire Man, Sentenced to 64 Months in Federal Prison for Firearms and Ammunition Violations

MADISON, WIS. – In a shocking turn of events, Leo Lacey, 48, of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, was sentenced to 64 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. This conviction comes after Lacey pleaded guilty to the charge on January 5, 2026, marking a significant victory for law enforcement in the Western District of Wisconsin.

Lacey is prohibited from legally possessing firearms and ammunition due to prior felony convictions. On May 21, 2025, Lacey arranged for codefendant Garrett Waldinger to illegally straw purchase a Taurus 9mm handgun for Lacey. The next day, an individual reported that Lacey had threatened him with the handgun. This led to a high-speed chase, where Lacey fled from police after initially attempting to pull over during a traffic stop.

The investigation and chase ultimately ended with Lacey crashing into another vehicle and fleeing on foot. Officers eventually located Lacey and recovered the handgun that Waldinger had purchased for him.

At the sentencing, Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson stated that Lacey is a danger to society, and the primary goal of the sentence in this case was to protect the public.

Codefendant Garrett Waldinger pleaded guilty to straw purchasing the firearm and is scheduled for sentencing on April 1, 2026. The charges against Lacey and Waldinger were the result of an investigation conducted by the Eau Claire Police Department and the ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan as part of the U.S. Department of Justice's Operation Take Back America. This nationwide initiative aims to protect communities from violent crime and dismantle cartels and transnational criminal organizations.

Mandatory Facts:

Defendant: Leo Lacey

Criminal Charges: Possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon

City and State: Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Exact Date: January 5, 2026 (sentencing)

Sentence: 64 months in federal prison, followed by a 3-year term of supervised release

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwi/pr/eau-claire-man-sentenced-more-5-years-illegally-possessing-firearm-and-ammunition