A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin has returned indictments against several individuals on drug and firearm-related charges. The indictments, announced in Madison, include cases involving methamphetamine trafficking, possession of firearms by convicted felons, and maintaining drug-involved premises.
Gairitt Schad, 27, of Madison, is charged with possessing cocaine, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and heroin intended for distribution. He is also accused of possessing a loaded handgun in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The indictment alleges these offenses occurred on April 17, 2025. If convicted on the charge involving 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, Schad faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to forty years in prison. The charge related to possessing a firearm during drug trafficking carries an additional mandatory minimum penalty of five years. Other charges carry maximum penalties ranging from fifteen to twenty years.
The investigation into Schad was conducted by the Dane County Narcotics Task Force and the ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan is prosecuting the case.
Jason Bloedow, 41, from Eau Claire, faces charges including distributing methamphetamine, possessing methamphetamine intended for distribution, and maintaining a drug-involved premises. According to the indictment, Bloedow sold methamphetamine on two occasions—March 19 and April 15—with the latter involving fifty grams or more. He is also alleged to have possessed five hundred grams or more for distribution on April 25 and used his residence as part of these activities. If convicted on the most serious charge involving five hundred grams or more of methamphetamine, Bloedow could face ten years to life in prison.
The West Central Drug Task Force led the investigation into Bloedow’s activities with assistance from local sheriff’s offices and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Remington is handling prosecution.
Noah A. Hodges, 43, also from Madison, is charged with possessing fifty grams or more of methamphetamine intended for distribution on February 6, 2025. Conviction would result in a mandatory minimum sentence of five years up to forty years in prison.
Hodges’ case stems from an investigation by multiple agencies including the DEA; ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force; Dane County Narcotics Task Force; Lake Winnebago Area Metropolitan Enforcement Group; Wisconsin State Patrol; and Madison Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven P. Anderson is prosecuting this case.
Austin Heil, 27, Wausau resident, has been indicted for allegedly possessing fifty grams or more of methamphetamine for distribution on February 20, 2024—a charge that carries similar sentencing guidelines as others named above if convicted.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force investigated Heil's case along with several local law enforcement agencies and support from ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Remington leads prosecution efforts here as well.
Jalen Hayes, age 25 from Fitchburg is charged with possessing controlled substances—including fentanyl—intended for distribution as well as illegally possessing a loaded firearm both as a felon and in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes stemming from incidents alleged to have occurred July 25th this year (2025). Hayes faces potential sentences ranging up to life imprisonment depending upon conviction outcomes across multiple counts.
Hayes’ indictment followed investigations by Fitchburg Police Department alongside ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force with prosecution handled by Assistant U.S Attorney Corey Stephan.
All federal cases described are prosecuted under Operation Take Back America—a national initiative aiming to address illegal immigration issues while eliminating cartels/transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) through coordinated efforts among Department Of Justice resources such as Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) & Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Authorities emphasize that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
