MADISON, WI – Robert A. Goldsberry, 29, of Madison, is headed to federal prison for six years after a high-speed chase and discovery of a loaded firearm in his vehicle. U.S. District Judge William M. Conley handed down the sentence today, citing Goldsberry’s repeated criminal behavior and disregard for public safety.
The trouble began November 3, 2022, when Dane County Sheriff’s deputies pulled Goldsberry over for speeding on Highway 51. The routine traffic stop quickly escalated when deputies detected a strong marijuana odor emanating from the car and observed Goldsberry repeatedly reaching for the gear shift. Instead of cooperating, Goldsberry floored it, blowing through red lights and narrowly avoiding collisions with other vehicles before ultimately crashing into a traffic signpost.
Undeterred, Goldsberry abandoned the wrecked vehicle and attempted to flee on foot, but was quickly apprehended. A search of the car revealed a loaded firearm, 54 bags of marijuana, and a stash of 156 oxycodone pills. The arrest exposed Goldsberry’s extensive criminal history, including prior felony convictions for armed robbery, substantial battery, and drug dealing – a pattern Judge Conley directly addressed during sentencing.
“He’s been in and out of jail and has supported himself by dealing drugs,” Judge Conley stated, emphasizing the need for accountability and a recognition that previous attempts at supervision had failed to deter Goldsberry’s dangerous conduct. The judge specifically highlighted Goldsberry’s squandered opportunities, signaling a determination to impose a sentence that would protect the community.
Federal prosecutors, led by Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Reinhard, successfully argued that Goldsberry’s actions warranted a significant prison term. The case was a collaborative effort between the Dane County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Wisconsin, under Timothy M. O’Shea, brought the charge as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a national initiative focused on reducing violent crime through coordinated law enforcement efforts.
PSN specifically targets gun crime, with a focus on individuals like Goldsberry – convicted felons illegally possessing firearms. The $3,000 found on Goldsberry at the time of his arrest suggests a continued involvement in illicit activities, further reinforcing the judge’s assessment of his pattern of criminal behavior. The six-year sentence aims to disrupt that pattern and send a clear message that illegally possessing firearms while a convicted felon will not be tolerated.
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