MADISON, WI – Cashius Carter, 21, of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced to 2 ½ years for illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition. Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson delivered the sentence today, adding a 3-year term of supervised release following Carter’s incarceration. The case highlights the continued crackdown on convicted felons illegally armed – and the consequences for those who try to run.
The trouble began September 25, 2024, when a Fitchburg police officer pulled over a vehicle Carter was driving. The smell of marijuana hung heavy in the air, prompting the officer to request Carter exit the vehicle for a search. Instead of complying, Carter bolted, initiating a brief foot chase before being apprehended. It was in that vehicle, between the driver’s seat and center console, that officers discovered a loaded Glock 19 9mm handgun, equipped with an extended magazine. The search didn’t stop there.
Officers also recovered nearly 700 grams of marijuana from the back seat of the vehicle. Forensic analysis by the Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory confirmed Carter’s DNA on the firearm, solidifying the case against him. Crucially, Carter was already prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition due to a prior felony conviction for eluding an officer – a fact that carried significant weight during sentencing.
Judge Peterson didn’t mince words during the sentencing hearing, citing the dangerous combination of a loaded firearm and a substantial amount of marijuana. He also pointed to Carter’s aggravated criminal history, including a prior violent battery and the high-speed police chase that led to his initial felony conviction. The judge stated the sentence was necessary to protect the public and deter Carter from future criminal activity. This wasn’t just about a gun; it was about a pattern of disregard for the law.
The investigation was a joint effort between the Fitchburg Police Department and the ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force, a collaborative unit comprised of federal agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and task force officers from various state and local agencies across the Western District of Wisconsin. Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan handled the prosecution of the case, building a solid case based on forensic evidence and police testimony.
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide initiative by the U.S. Justice Department aimed at reducing violent crime. PSN emphasizes coordinated efforts between federal and state prosecutors, as well as all levels of law enforcement, to target gun crime, particularly illegal firearm possession by felons, and violent and drug-related offenses involving firearms. The message is clear: illegally possessing a weapon will bring federal scrutiny and a hefty prison sentence.
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Key Facts
- State: Wisconsin
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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