MADISON, WIS. – Deonte Turner, 32, of Fitchburg, Wisconsin, is staring down a daunting 15-year prison sentence after being indicted for illegal possession of a firearm as a felon. The federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin, sitting in Madison, returned an indictment today charging Turner with possessing a Sig Sauer handgun and ammunition on October 2, 2023.
The charges stem from an investigation led by the Madison Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). If convicted, Turner, who is presumed innocent until proven guilty, faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
U.S. Attorney Timothy M. O’Shea and Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Stelljes are handling the case, which has sent shockwaves through the Fitchburg community.
In separate but equally serious charges, three Dane County residents face prison time for making false statements during firearms purchases. Candice Patterson, 36, of Middleton, and Deovion Baker, 19, of Madison, were charged with lying about their identities on September 1, 2023, when they purchased two Glock handguns from a Sun Prairie gun store. Patterson is accused of claiming she was the buyer, while Baker is charged with influencing her to do so.
Erik Smay, 44, of McFarland, Wisconsin, faces similar penalties for making false statements on firearms purchase forms, falsely claiming he was not an unlawful user of a controlled substance when he actually was. The investigation into Smay’s case involved the ATF, Drug Enforcement Administration, and local law enforcement agencies.
Another Eau Claire resident, Corey Hobbs, 38, faces charges related to methamphetamine distribution in two separate incidents on November 1 and November 7, 2023. These cases are currently under investigation and further details will be released as they become available.
Related Federal Cases
- Eau Claire Felon Potter Sentenced to 4 Years for Firearm Possession · Wisconsin
- Cashius Carter Sentenced for Felon in Possession of Firearm · Wisconsin
- Beloit Man Sentenced for School Zone Firearm Possession · Wisconsin
- Janesville Felon Gets 3 Years for Illegal Gun Possession · Wisconsin
- La Crosse Felon Marcelle Davis Sentenced to 5 Years for Gun Possession · Wisconsin
Key Facts
- State: Wisconsin
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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