Department of Justice

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.

 

Superior Resident Charged with Drug & Gun Crimes

Brian Kainu, 37, Superior, Wisconsin, is charged with two counts of distributing methamphetamine, one count of possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The indictment alleges that Kainu distributed methamphetamine on March 27 and April 2, 2019, and that on April 2, he possessed 50 grams or more of the drug with the intent to distribute. The fourth count of the indictment alleges that he possessed a .22 caliber revolver on April 2.

If convicted, Kainu faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison on the count alleging 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, a maximum of 20 years on each of the distribution counts, and 10 years on the felon in possession of a firearm count.

The charges against Kainu are the result of an investigation by the Superior Police Department, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Northwest Area Crime Unit, Duluth Police Department, and the Lake Superior Drug & Violent Crime Task Force. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Chadwick Elgersma.

 

Maryland Man Charged with Gun Crime

John K. Stroman, 31, Capitol Heights, Maryland, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that on April 18, 2019, he possessed a loaded 9mm pistol.

If convicted, Stroman faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Wisconsin State Patrol; U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and Dane County Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow.

The Kainu, Robinson, and Stroman indictments have been brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Department’s program to reduce violent crime. The PSN approach emphasizes coordination between state and federal prosecutors and all levels of law enforcement to address gun crime, especially felons illegally possessing firearms and ammunition and violent and drug crimes that involve the use of firearms.

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