A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin has returned several indictments, as announced by authorities in Madison. The charges span various offenses, including bank fraud, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, and assault on a federal officer.
Samantha Watters, a 33-year-old from Boscobel, Wisconsin, faces three counts of bank fraud. It is alleged that between March 2023 and October 2023, while working as a teller at BMO Harris Bank in Lancaster, Wisconsin, she made unauthorized withdrawals from customer accounts totaling approximately $134,498. If convicted, Watters could face up to 30 years in prison for each count. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation - Office of Inspector General and the Lancaster Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Wegner is prosecuting the case.
In separate cases involving firearms charges under Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative aimed at combating violent crime—three men have been indicted for illegally possessing firearms and ammunition.
Kory Washington, aged 21 from Madison, Wisconsin, is charged with possessing a firearm as a felon. On November 19, 2024, he allegedly possessed a loaded Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 9mm handgun and Hornady 9mm ammunition. If found guilty, Washington could face up to 15 years in prison. The case was investigated by the Madison Police Department and ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force with Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan handling prosecution.
James K. Wilder Jr., aged 19 also from Madison, is accused of possessing a Taurus G2C handgun and .45 caliber ammunition on November 26, 2024. He too faces up to 15 years if convicted. This charge resulted from an investigation by Fitchburg Police Department and ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force with Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor L. Kraus prosecuting.
Demetrius Howard from Menomonie is charged similarly for possessing a loaded Smith & Wesson .40 caliber handgun on December 20, 2024. Howard could also face up to 15 years if convicted following an investigation by Dunn County Sheriff’s Office and ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force with Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan handling this case as well.
Lastly Demetrius Brown from Pekin Illinois has been charged with assaulting an employee at Federal Correctional Institution Oxford on August 24th last year causing bodily harm while they were performing official duties; facing potential maximum sentence twenty years imprisonment upon conviction based FBI Bureau Prisons investigations overseen Assistant US Attorney Steven Ayala
