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.
The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes. If convicted, the sentencing of a defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Two Sun Prairie Men Charged in Heroin Conspiracy
Darnell A. Brunt, 33, and Claudius L Fincher, 21, both of Sun Prairie, Wis., are charged with conspiring to possess heroin with the intent to distribute it. The indictment alleges that the conspiracy operated from August 2017 to Sept. 18, 2017, and that it involved 100 or more grams of heroin.
The indictment further charges Brunt with four counts of distributing heroin on Aug. 28, Aug. 31, September 6, and September 12. Fincher is charged with possessing heroin with the intent to distribute on September 18. Each of the defendants is charged with possessing 100 or more grams of heroin with the intent to distribute on September 18.
Brunt and Fincher were arrested on September 18 in Sun Prairie, and were charged in complaints filed in U.S. District Court on September 20. They made an initial appearance in federal court on Sept. 21, and have been detained in federal custody since that time. Federal law requires that felony offenses be charged by an indictment returned by a grand jury within 30 days of the date a criminal complaint is filed.
If convicted, Brunt and Fincher face a mandatory minimum of five years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison on each of the two charges involving 100 or more grams of heroin. The other charges have a maximum penalty of 20 years.
The charges against Brunt and Fincher are the result of an investigation by the Dane County Narcotics Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Reinhard.
Madison Man Charged with Drug and Gun Crimes
Eric Howard, 37, Madison, Wis., is charged with possessing cocaine with intent to distribute, and with discharging a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The indictment alleges that he possessed the cocaine and discharged a 9mm handgun on Sept. 25, 2017.
If convicted, Howard faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on the cocaine charge, and a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years on the gun charge. Federal law requires that any penalty on the gun charge be served consecutive to any sentence imposed on the drug charge.
The charges against Howard are the result of an investigation by the Madison Police Department. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita Rumbelow.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
