MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Christian Killian, 33, Madison, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to six years in federal prison, for robbing a Pizza Hut restaurant while armed. Killian pleaded guilty to these charges on May 6, 2019. His prison term will be followed by a three-year period of supervised release.
On Jan. 29, 2019, at approximately 11:50 a.m., Killian robbed a Pizza Hut restaurant on South Park Street, Madison. Killian demanded money from the clerk and when the clerk asked if he was joking, Killian opened his coat and held a revolver close to his chest. The clerk complied with the demand and gave Killian the money from the register.
Killian fled from the store and citizen witnesses reported that he ran into the Arboretum. Madison Police officers responded to the Arboretum and saw Killian in possession of a firearm, but Killian kept running and ignored commands to stop. Officers spent over two hours looking for Killian in frigid temperatures and below-zero wind chills. When they arrested Killian, officers recovered on his person a loaded speed loader (used to quickly load a revolver) and the stolen money.
At the time of the offense, Killian was out on bond in two felony drunk driving cases (5th or 6th), in Dane County.
This case has been brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Department’s program to reduce violent crime. The PSN approach involves collaboration by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and communities to prevent and deter gun violence.
The charges against Killian were the result of an investigation conducted by the Madison Police Department. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
