Department of Justice

MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Patrick Staton, 30, Town of Maple, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 72 months in federal prison for possessing three firearms and ammunition as a felon. This prison term will be followed by three years of supervised release.

The investigation in this case stems from a confrontation initiated by Staton outside of his home in Maple on September 1, 2019. During that confrontation, Staton armed himself with a firearm and was subsequently shot by another individual in self-defense. Officers executed a search warrant at Staton’s residence on September 2, 2019, at which time they located three firearms and ammunition, including an AR-15 style rifle with seven additional magazines. All three guns had previously been reported stolen in Minnesota. Staton is prohibited from possessing any firearms or ammunition as a result of several Wisconsin felony convictions.

At sentencing, Judge Peterson recognized that Staton represents a threat to the public given his “hot head” nature. Judge Peterson also noted that this was not the first time Staton had been shot, and that incident as well as his prior felonies failed to deter him from possessing firearms. Judge Peterson also considered the injuries Staton sustained as a result of his conduct in this case, which included brain damage and the limited use of his right hand for the rest of his life.

The charge against Staton was the result of an investigation conducted by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office; Superior Police Department; Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; St. Louis County (Minnesota) Sheriff’s Office; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor L. Kraus.

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