Matthew J. Hornung, Methamphetamine Trafficking, Wisconsin 2020

Wausau Man Indicted for Methamphetamine Trafficking

A Wausau man has been indicted on charges of methamphetamine trafficking and firearm offenses, according to the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. Matthew J. Hornung, 36, was charged with three counts in a federal grand jury indictment returned on January 28, 2020.

The indictment alleges that on or about October 16, 2019, Hornung possessed more than 5 grams of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute the substance. Additionally, Hornung is accused of possessing a 9mm semiautomatic handgun in furtherance of drug trafficking, despite knowing he could not legally possess firearms.

Hornung faces mandatory minimum sentences of 5 years in prison and up to 40 years in prison for the methamphetamine trafficking charge. He also faces mandatory minimum sentences of 5 consecutive years in prison and up to life in prison for the firearm offense. Furthermore, Hornung may face up to 10 years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The case is being prosecuted as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, a federal, state, and local law enforcement collaboration to identify, investigate, and prosecute individuals responsible for violent crimes in our neighborhoods. The case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.

The Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force and Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration and Shawano County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Maier will prosecute the case.

An indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edwi/pr/wausau-man-indicted-illegal-firearm-possession-and-drug-trafficking-offense