Grand Jury Returns Indictments
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.
Man Charged with Robberies of Madison Businesses
Scott C. Tolliver, 42, Madison, Wisconsin, is charged with robbing two business in Madison. The indictment alleges that on April 15, 2022, he robbed the McDonald’s Restaurant on Regent Street and the Walgreens on East Campus Mall. The indictment alleges that the robberies occurred by means of actual and threatened force, violence, and fear of injury.
If convicted, Tolliver faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count. The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the Madison Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Anderson is handling the prosecution.
Milwaukee Man Charged with Illegally Possessing Firearm & Ammunition
Marcell Davis, 31, Milwaukee, Wisconsin is charged with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. The indictment alleges that on March 8, 2022, Davis possessed a .22 caliber handgun, a .357 revolver, and 9mm ammunition.
If convicted, Davis faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the La Crosse Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan is handling the prosecution.
The charges against Tolliver and Davis are brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Department’s program to reduce violent crime. The PSN approach emphasizes coordinator between state and federal prosecutors and all levels of law enforcement to address violent crime, especially felons illegally possessing firearms and ammunition and violent and drug crimes that involve the use of firearms.
Tomah Man Charged with Possessing Methamphetamine for Distribution
Stephen Thompson, 56, Tomah, Wisconsin, is charged with possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. The indictment alleges that he possessed the methamphetamine on March 17, 2022.
If convicted, Thompson faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Trempealeau County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Wegner is handling the prosecution.
Bayfield County Man Charged with Stealing Timber from National Forest
Jerod Hecimovich, 40, Mason, Wisconsin, is charged in a 3-count indictment with stealing live oak timber, injuring live oak timber, and knowingly cutting and removing live oak timber from the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in Bayfield County. According to the indictment, in April 2019 Hecimovich, as owner and operator of Hecimovich Forest Products, LLC, was awarded a contract by the U.S. Forest Service to harvest certain timber from U.S. Forest land. The indictment alleges that Hecimovich harvested certain live oak timber which the contract specified should not be removed. The indictment seeks the forfeiture of proceeds traceable to the offenses charged, including $24,736 representing the amount of proceeds obtained as a result of the alleged theft of government property.
If convicted, Hecimovich faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on the charges of stealing government property and injuring government property. The charge of cutting and removing timber from the National Forest has a maximum penalty of 1 year in prison. The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Graber is handling the prosecution.
Man Charged with Escape
Craig Bellis, 42, formerly of Boscobel, Wisconsin, is charged with escape. The indictment alleges that on April 30, 2022, he escaped from custody at Rock Valley Community Programs Inc. in Janesville, Wisconsin, a residential reentry center in which he was lawfully confined.
If convicted, Bellis faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Graber is handling the prosecution.