A federal grand jury in Madison, Wisconsin, has returned several indictments involving charges of bank fraud, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, and assault on a federal officer. It is important to note that these charges are accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Samantha Watters, 33, from Boscobel, Wisconsin, faces three counts of bank fraud. According to the indictment, Watters allegedly made unauthorized withdrawals totaling approximately $134,498 while working as a teller at BMO Harris Bank in Lancaster between March 2023 and October 2023. If convicted, she could face up to 30 years in prison for each count. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation - Office of Inspector General and the Lancaster Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Wegner is prosecuting the case.
In separate cases concerning illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, three men have been charged:
Kory Washington, 21, from Madison is accused of possessing a loaded Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 9mm handgun and Hornady 9mm ammunition as a felon on November 19, 2024. If found guilty, he could receive a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. This charge resulted from an investigation by the Madison Police Department and ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force with prosecution led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan.
James K. Wilder Jr., 19, also from Madison is charged with possessing a Taurus G2C handgun and .45 caliber ammunition as a felon on November 26, 2024. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted. The Fitchburg Police Department along with ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force conducted this investigation; Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor L. Kraus is handling his case.
Demetrius Howard, 34 from Menomonie stands accused of possessing a loaded Smith & Wesson .40 caliber handgun and ammunition as a felon on December 20th last year facing similar potential penalties upon conviction following investigations by Dunn County Sheriff’s Office alongside ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force again under prosecution guidance from Assistant U.S Attorney Corey Stephan.
These firearm-related cases fall under Operation Take Back America aimed at combating illegal immigration transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities against violent crime through collaborative efforts across justice departments nationwide resources streamlined within initiatives such as Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Finally Demetrius Brown aged forty-six hailing Pekin Illinois indicted assaulting federal officer inflicting bodily harm alleged incident occurring August twenty-fourth Oxford Wisconsin Correctional Institution employee duty performing role duties during said time frame resulting FBI Bureau Prisons collaboration investigation Assistant US attorney Steven Ayala managing proceedings potential consequences reaching twenty-year imprisonment verdict unfavorable circumstances materialize subsequently confirmed court settings