Federal Grand Jury Returns Indictments

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

Sixteen Charged in Jefferson County Drug Conspiracy

In two separate indictments, sixteen individuals have been charged with conspiring to distribute cocaine. The first indictment alleges a conspiracy that operated from August 15, 2007 to June 19, 2008, involving five kilograms or more of cocaine. It charges nine residents of Watertown, Wis.:

Maximo Pineda-Buenaventura, 25;
Efrain Pineda Buenaventura, 32;
Servando Herrera-Vazquez, 19;
Martin Pineda Pineda, 24;
Emmanuel Pineda-Gonzalez, 23;
Perfecto Pineda-Duque, 22;
Celestino Velazquez-Rodriguez, 22;
Jesus Duque Pineda, 20; and
William Bryant, 33.

This indictment alleges that the defendants used cellular phones to take orders for cocaine from customers, used cellular phones to direct the distribution of cocaine to customers at various locations in Jefferson and Dodge Counties, used cellular phones to contact individuals to arrange for the deliver of cocaine for re-sale, and used cellular telephones to contact individuals in Mexico to arrange for members of the conspiracy to illegally re-enter the United States. The indictment also alleges that the defendants maintained three residences and a storage locker in Watertown for the purpose of storing cocaine, firearms, and proceeds from cocaine sales.

The second indictment alleges a conspiracy that operated from March 21, 2008 to June 19, 2008, involving at least 500 grams of cocaine. It charges six Watertown residents and a Janesville resident:

Arturo Pineda-Lopez, 22;
Gerardo Pineda Soria, 21, Janesville, Wis.;
Juan C. Pineda Pineda, 30;
Teodulo Pineda-Buenventura, 29;
Otoniel Mendoza, 31;
Eli Torres Banos, 20; and
Angel Ayala Pineda, 26.

The indictment alleges that these defendants used the same three residences and storage locker in Watertown named in the first indictment, as well as a residence in Janesville, for the purpose of storing cocaine, firearms, and proceeds from cocaine sales. The indictment alleges that the defendants used cellular telephones to arrange for the distribution of cocaine and to negotiate the price and quantity of cocaine to be distributed.

Twelve of the defendants were arrested on June 19, following the execution of 10 search warrants in Jefferson, Dodge, and Rock Counties. Angel Ayala Pineda, Martin Pineda Pineda, Emmanuel Pineda-Gonzalez, and Celestino Velazquez-Rodriguez remain at large. During the searches, over 2.5 kilograms of cocaine, $109,855 in cash, three loaded firearms, and 11 vehicles were seized.

These charges follow a ten-month long investigation, which involved the used of court-approved wiretaps from February to June 2008. The agencies involved in the investigation include the Drug Enforcement Administration; Jefferson County Drug Task Force; Jefferson County Sheriff's Department; Fort Atkinson Police Department; Jefferson Police Department; Lake Mills Police Department; Waterloo Police Department; Watertown Police Department; Town of Lake Mills Police Department; Johnson Creek Police Department; Jefferson County District Attorney's Office; Dodge County Drug Task Force; Dodge County Sheriff's Department; Horicon Police Department; Juneau Police Department; Beaver Dam Police Department; Waupun Police Department; Janesville Police Department; and the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation-Narcotics Bureau.

If convicted, the individuals who are charged in the first indictment face a mandatory minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life in federal prison. The individuals charged in the second indictment face a mandatory minimum of five years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison. The prosecution of this case has been assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul W. Connell.

Two Madison Men Charged with Additional Robberies in East Washington Avenue Corridor

Curtis J. Langlois, 27, and Scott M. Andruss, 18, of Madison, Wis., are charged in a superseding indictment with conspiracy to obstruct interstate commerce by robbery. The indictment alleges that the defendants committed armed robberies of businesses using handguns and knives, and that the defendants committed and threatened physical violence to persons during the course of the robberies. These men face federal charges because the businesses involved are engaged in interstate commerce.

The businesses within the East Washington Avenue corridor which were robbed during the alleged conspiracy include:

1. April 25, 2008 - Red Letter News;
2. April 27, 2008 - Red Letter News;
3. April 30, 2008 - Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel;
4. May 5, 2008 - Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel;
5. May 8, 2008 - Red Roof Inn (attempted robbery);
6. May 9, 2008 - PDQ Store

Langlois and Andruss were charged in an indictment returned by the grand jury on May 14, 2008, with only the May 8 attempted robbery and the May 9 robbery. Langlois and Andruss were arrested by officers of the Madison Police Department on May 9, 2008. Their trial is set for September 15, 2008.

United States Attorney Peterson praised the efforts of the Madison Police Department for their work following this series of robberies in the East Washington Avenue corridor, which led to this indictment.

If convicted, Langlois and Andruss face a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count. The charges against them are the result of an investigation by the Madison Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution of this case has been assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Graber.

Waterloo Man Faces Drug and Gun Charges

Odell Dobbs, 32, of Waterloo, Wis., is charged with possessing 50 grams or more of crack cocaine with the intent to distribute, and with being a felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that he possessed the crack cocaine and a 9 mm pistol on June 19, 2008.

If convicted, Dobbs faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years and a maximum of life in federal prison on the drug charge and a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison on the gun charge. The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Dane County Narcotics and Gang Task Force. The prosecution of this case has been assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow.

Madison Man Faces Drug Charges

Kenyotta Jones, 29, of Madison, Wis., is charged in a five-count indictment with possessing and distributing cocaine and crack cocaine. The indictment alleges that he distributed cocaine on May 28, 2008, and five grams or more of crack cocaine on May 30 and June 3, 2008. The indictment also alleges that on June 10, 2008, he possessed 50 grams or more of crack cocaine in a Chevrolet Camero and 5 grams or more of crack cocaine in a residence on High Street in Madison, with intent to distribute.

If convicted, Jones faces a minimum penalty of five years and a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the Dane County Narcotics and Gang Task Force. The prosecution of this case has been assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman.

Beloit Man Charges with Gun Crime

Ryen Harris, 21, Beloit, Wis., is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that on September 14, 2007, he possessed a 9 mm pistol.

If convicted, Harris faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Beloit Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution of this case has been assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow.

Madison Man Charged with Gun Crime

Matthew Yancey, 18, of Madison, Wis., is charged with being an unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The indictment alleges that on June 17, 2008, as an unlawful user of marijuana, he possessed a .22 caliber revolver and ammunition.

If convicted, Yancey faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Madison Police Department. The prosecution of this case has been assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow.

Wausau Man Faces Drug Charges

Johnny Bruce Mathews, 28, of Wausau, Wis., is charged in a four-count indictment three counts of crack cocaine distribution and one count of possessing 50 grams or more of crack cocaine with intent to distribute. The indictment alleges that he distributed crack cocaine on January 31, February 4, and February 23, 2008, and that he possessed crack cocaine on February 28, 2008.

If convicted, Mathews faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each distribution count, and a mandatory minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison on the possession with intent to distribute charge. The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the Central Area Drug Enforcement Group and the Special Investigations Unit of the Marathon County Sheriff’s Department. The prosecution of this case has been assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Graber.

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