Grand Jury Returns Indictments: Five Charged with Gun Crimes

MADISON, WIS. - A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin, sitting in Madison, returned the following indictments today. You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

In unrelated cases, four individuals have been charged with gun crimes and a fifth individual with drug and gun crimes. These cases are brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice's violent crime reduction efforts. PSN emphasizes coordination between state and federal prosecutors and all levels of law enforcement to address gun crime, especially felons illegally possessing firearms and ammunition, and violent crimes and drug crimes that involve the use of firearms.

James Gillaum, 33, Madison, Wisconsin is charged with being a felon in possession of a loaded handgun. The indictment alleges that he possessed the loaded handgun on August 22, 2021. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. The charge is the result of an investigation by the Madison Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan is handling the prosecution.

Anthony Brooks, 29, Middleton, Wisconsin is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that he possessed a 9mm handgun on July 19, 2021. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. The charge is the result of an investigation by the Madison Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Schlipper is handling the prosecution.

David Barber, 36, Beloit, Wisconsin is charged with being a felon in possession of a loaded handgun and ammunition. The indictment alleges that he possessed a loaded .45 caliber handgun and ammunition on December 20, 2020. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. The charge is the result of an investigation by the Beloit Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan is handling the prosecution.

Joshua K. Breidel, 33, La Crosse, Wisconsin is charged with 3 counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that he possessed a handgun on March 27, 2021, that he possessed a handgun and ammunition on August 4, 2021, and that he possessed a handgun and ammunition on August 5, 2021. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison on each charge. The charges are the result of an investigation by the La Crosse Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Anderson is handling the prosecution.

Benjamin T. Devine, 34, Holmen, Wisconsin is charged with two counts of distributing 50 grams of more of methamphetamine, one count of possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, and with being a felon in possession of a handgun and ammunition. The indictment alleges that he distributed methamphetamine on August 5 and 16, 2021, and that he possessed methamphetamine for distribution and a .22 caliber handgun and ammunition on August 16. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison on each drug charge, and a maximum of 10 years on the gun charge. The charges are the result of an investigation by the La Crosse, Onalaska, and Prairie du Chief Police Departments, La Crosse County Sheriff's Office, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Anderson is handling the prosecution.