ROCKLAND, WI – A brazen overnight raid on a Village of Rockland gun shop in April has led to federal charges against three men, authorities announced Friday. The trio allegedly made off with a staggering 41 firearms, throwing the quiet La Crosse County community into alarm. The investigation, a joint effort between local and federal agencies, points to a calculated operation that’s now landed these individuals in the crosshairs of the justice system.
Robert E. Benson, 18, of La Crosse, Wisconsin, Mackey K. Drake, 22, also of La Crosse, and Nehemiah J. Sample, 26, of Trempealeau, Wisconsin, are named in a federal indictment returned June 28, 2023, by a grand jury in Madison. The indictment details the alleged theft that occurred on April 25, 2023, from a federally licensed firearms business. While details of the break-in remain scarce, the sheer number of weapons stolen suggests a well-planned scheme, potentially aimed at fueling further criminal activity.
Adding to the gravity of the charges, Mackey K. Drake, 22, is also accused of being a felon in possession of firearms. This secondary charge significantly increases his potential sentence and paints a picture of a repeat offender. Federal prosecutors are not taking this lightly, and Drake’s history will undoubtedly be a key factor in the upcoming trial. The involvement of a convicted felon in this type of crime raises serious questions about the source and intended use of the stolen weapons.
Robert Benson is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Madison today, marking the first step in the legal process. Initial appearances for Drake and Sample have yet to be scheduled, but authorities assure the public that they are actively pursuing their cases. Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan is leading the prosecution, indicating the seriousness with which the Department of Justice views this case.
If convicted, each of the three men – Benson, Drake, and Sample – faces a maximum of 10 years behind bars on the charge of stealing the firearms. However, Drake’s additional charge of being a felon in possession of firearms could add another 15 years to his potential sentence, bringing his maximum exposure to 25 years in federal prison. The investigation was spearheaded by the La Crosse County Sheriff’s Office, with crucial assistance from the Lake Village (Arkansas) Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
This case falls under the umbrella of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence nationwide. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, PSN focuses on fostering trust within communities, supporting local organizations, and strategically targeting enforcement efforts. While the program’s intentions are laudable, the Grimy Times will continue to report on the realities of crime and the individuals perpetuating it, regardless of broader initiatives. It is crucial to remember that an indictment is merely an accusation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Related Federal Cases
- Nehemiah Sample, Gun Theft, Rockland WI, 2024 · Wisconsin
- Felon Caught with Firearm, Gun Smarts Go Up in Flames · Wisconsin
- Lorenzo Lacey, Straw Purchasing Firearms, Wisconsin 2024 · Oregon
- Lorenzo Lacey, Inducing False Statement, Wisconsin 2024 · Oregon
- Christopher J. Melahn, Illegal Gun Possession, Illinois 2024 · Illinois
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