Federal Grand Jury Returns Indictments

Madison, Wisconsin -- 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.

Hayward Man Charged with Arson & Insurance Fraud

Phillip C. Lathrop, 38, of Hayward, Wis., is charged in a six-count indictment with arson and insurance fraud. The indictment alleges that Lathrop owned and operated a bar called Player’s Sports Bar & Grill, located at W566 U.S. Highway 63, in Hayward, and that on August 16, 2003, he caused it to be destroyed by fire. The indictment alleges that from July 2003 through December 20, 2005, Lathrop devised a scheme to defraud Capitol Indemnity Corporation by ordering the arson of Player’s and then submitting a fraudulent proof of loss claim, resulting in the payment by Capitol Indemnity Corporation of $253,038.39.

The indictment alleges that as part of the scheme, Lathrop hired an individual identified in the indictment as D.M. to burn down the bar, and that Lathrop promised to pay D.M. $5,000 in cash and cocaine. The indictment also alleges that after the fire, Lathrop instructed D.M. and others to tell investigators that a third individual, J.M., ordered the arson.

In addition to one count of arson, the indictment includes four counts of mail fraud and a forfeiture count, seeking the forfeiture from Lathrop of any property constituting or derived from the proceeds of the alleged arson and mail fraud.

If convicted, Lathrop faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum of 20 years in federal prison on the arson count, and 20 years on each mail fraud count. The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the Sawyer County Sheriff’s Department, Washburn County Sheriff’s Department, and the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation-Arson Bureau. The prosecution of this case has been assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Graber.

Two Brooklyn Residents Charged with Forging Checks of Title Company

Amanda Ferch, 37, and Randy Ruth, 37, both of Brooklyn, Wis., are charged in a 12-count indictment with conspiring to make and utter forged checks, from December 2005 until July 1, 2008, and with 10 counts of creating or cashing a forged check. The indictment alleges that while Ferch was employed by the Dane County Title Company (DCTC), the defendants made and uttered DCTC checks payable in their names, using real DCTC check stock on a DCTC escrow closing account, and that Ferch forged the signature of the authorized signatory on the account. The indictment alleges that the defendants forged DCTC escrow checks totaling approximately $447,524, and received approximately $316,101 in proceeds from cashing them. The indictment also seeks the forfeiture of any property constituting or derived from proceeds of this alleged scheme.

If convicted, Ferch and Ruth face a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison on the conspiracy count, and 10 years on each of the forgery counts. The charges against them are the result of an investigation by the Madison Police Department. The prosecution of this case has been assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Graber.

Two Charged with Making False Statements to Firearms Dealers & Federal Agent

William L. Dinga, 22, of Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., and Danielle A. Sunderlage, 24, of Friendship, Wis., are charged with conspiracy to submit false statements in the acquisition of firearms to conceal the identity of the true purchasers. The indictment also charges Dinga and Sunderlage with making false statements to a firearms dealer and making false statements to a federal agent.

The indictment alleges that on March 6 and March 8, 2008, Dinga falsely claimed he was the actual buyer of three firearms, and on April 9, 2008, he falsely claimed he was the actual buyer of six firearms. These false statements were allegedly made on a federally-required form to be kept in the records of a firearms dealer. The indictment also alleges that on April 9 and April 16, 2008, Dinga made a false statement to a special agent of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The indictment alleges that on March 12, 2008, Sunderlage falsely claimed she was the actual buyer of two firearms, and on March 15, 2008, she falsely claimed she was the actual buyer of a firearm. These false statements were allegedly made on a federally-required form to be kept in the records of a firearms ealer. The indictment also alleges that on April 22, 2008, Sunderlage made a false statement to a special agent of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

If convicted, Dinga and Sunderlage face a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison on each count of the indictment. The charges against them are the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Wisconsin Rapids Police Department. The prosecution of this case has been assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter M. Jarosz.

Plover Man Faces Firearm Charge

Glen A. Steger, 58, of Plover, Wis., is charged with being a felon in possession of firearms. The indictment alleges that on June 17, 2008, Steger possessed 11 firearms, which included seven handguns and four rifles.

If convicted, Steger faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Plover Police Department, Portage County Sheriff’s Department, Marathon County Bomb Squad, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution of this case has been assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Anderson.

Madison Man Charged with Credit Union Robbery

Michael P. Caldwell, 34, of Madison, Wis., is charged with robbing the Badger Campus Credit Union, located at 1101 Spring Street in Madison, on July 31, 2008. The indictment alleges that he used a dangerous weapon to commit this robbery.

If convicted, Caldwell faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in federal prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Madison Police Department, University of Wisconsin Police Department, and Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution of this case has been assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman.

Press Releases | Milwaukee Home