Michael Karmo, Firearms Possession, Kenosha WI, 2020

KENOSHA, WI – Michael Karmo, 42, of Hartsville, Missouri, will spend the next 64 months in federal prison after being sentenced Friday for possessing firearms despite a prior felony conviction, a charge stemming from his trip to Kenosha, Wisconsin during the height of the 2020 unrest. U.S. District Judge J.P. Stadtmueller also sentenced Karmo to two years of supervised release following his incarceration.

Court documents reveal Karmo’s disturbing motivation. In the summer of 2020, he became fixated on the protests sweeping the nation, texting a friend, “[A]ll I care about is f**king up antifas and black lives matters mother f**kers these days.” He then embarked on a cross-country trek, “driving back and forth across America going to where they be rioting the hardest,” according to filings. On August 31, 2020, Karmo and an accomplice headed to Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Before reaching Wisconsin, Karmo brazenly sent photos of himself and his friend brandishing long guns to a woman in Iowa. He also shared a picture of a firearm equipped with a large drum magazine, calling it a “game changer.” The woman, alarmed by the images and Karmo’s intent, contacted the police, triggering a swift response from federal and local authorities. The pair were arrested in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, and a disturbing cache of weapons was recovered.

The search uncovered an AR-15 assault rifle, a 12-gauge shotgun, two 9mm handguns, a substantial amount of ammunition (67 rounds of 9mm and 131 shotgun shells), a homemade silencer, multiple high-capacity magazines, a firearm muzzle attachment, a drone, body armor, tactical gear, and a dagger. Adding to the unsettling nature of the case, authorities also found a Confederate flag amongst Karmo’s belongings. The investigation was led by the FBI, with significant assistance from the ATF, Kenosha Police, and other local agencies.

Even more damning, investigators discovered videos on Karmo’s phone detailing his plans and violent intentions. He spoke of being on the streets “when the thugs come out,” stating he would intervene if law enforcement didn’t “handle business.” He coldly referred to protestors as “a bunch of victims” and chillingly expressed a desire to “lay out” a protestor chanting “Justice for Jacob Blake.” The evidence painted a clear picture of a man intent on escalating violence in an already volatile situation.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Richard G. Frohling and Margaret B. Honrath successfully prosecuted the case, securing the 64-month sentence for Karmo. This conviction serves as a stark reminder that individuals who travel across state lines armed and fueled by extremist ideologies will face the full weight of federal law. The case highlights the ongoing threat of politically motivated violence and the commitment of law enforcement to protect communities from such dangers.

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