Department of Justice

MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that David A. Kelly, 33, Madison, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William Conley to 54 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Kelly pleaded guilty to the charge on March 14, 2019.

 

On July 16, 2018, while on the west side of Madison, Kelly retrieved a firearm from his vehicle and brandished it at a group of people, threatening to kill them. Kelly left the scene before police officers arrived. A warrant was issued for his arrest, and a search of his home revealed a loaded .40 caliber pistol. Kelly’s fingerprints were found on the firearm.

 

Kelly had been convicted in Dane County Circuit Court four days prior to the July 16 incident for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Kelly also has three prior felony drug convictions.

 

Judge Conley rejected Kelly’s request for a 30-month sentence, citing the defendant’s history of violence and lack of remorse.

 

This case was 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.

 

The charge against Kelly was the result of an investigation conducted by the Madison Police Department, Wisconsin Department of Corrections, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. This prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow.