Melrose Felon Sentenced to 57 Months in Federal Prison for Possessing a Firearm
MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Victor Williams, 41, Melrose, Wisconsin, was sentenced on Tuesday, January 28, by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 57 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Williams pleaded guilty to this offense on November 13, 2019.
On July 2, 2019, agents executed a search warrant at Williams’ residence outside of Melrose. In the defendant’s room, officers found a 9 mm Ruger handgun and some Remington ammunition. The defendant was later interviewed and said the firearm was his and that he had it for protection. Williams had previously been convicted of multiple drug felonies.
In sentencing the defendant, Judge Conley stated that having a loaded firearm as part of the drug trade created a dangerous situation, and expressed hope that the sentence would be a wake-up call for the defendant.
The charge against Williams was the result of an investigation conducted by the Tomah Police Department, West Central Metropolitan Enforcement Group, Jackson and Monroe County Sheriffs’ Offices, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman.
This case was brought as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, the U.S. Justice Department’s program to reduce violent crime. The PSN approach 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.
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