Two Wisconsin Men Charged with Illegally Possessing Firearm During Madison Protests
MADISON, WIS. – Two men have been charged with federal firearms crimes in complaints filed today in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin. According to United States Attorney Scott C. Blader, the two defendants have been charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm after allegedly being found with a firearm during Madison protests. The cases are not related.
“It is important to speak plainly and give fair warning to those who might consider using legitimate protesters as ‘cover’ for criminal conduct. Every American has a right for their voice to be heard, especially during these challenging times, and my office defends the right of individuals to speak, assemble, and protest,” said U.S. Attorney Blader. “However, public safety is a necessary prerequisite for the free exercise of First Amendment rights. My office will prosecute those who exploit legitimate protests to commit federal crimes.”
Kyle C. Olson, also known as Kyle Charles Quade, 28, Edgerton, Wisconsin, is charged with being a felon in possession of a .45 caliber handgun. The affidavit accompanying the complaint alleges that at approximately 11:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 31, 2020, police officers stationed in the area of 220 West Gilman Street to respond to the civil unrest occurring in downtown Madison observed an individual later identified as Olson remove a handgun from the trunk of his car and place the handgun in his back waistband.
Anthony R. Krohn, 36, Madison, is charged with being a felon in possession of a .22 caliber handgun. The affidavit accompanying this complaint alleges that at approximately 2:12 a.m. on Monday, June 1, 2020, police officers were dispatched to the area of South Fairchild and West Doty Streets in Madison in reference to a person with a gunshot wound, and found a person later identified as Krohn bleeding from a wound in his leg with a gun on the ground next to him. The affidavit further alleges that Krohn told a law enforcement officer that he had shot himself.
Olson and Krohn are currently in custody at the Dane County Jail. Their initial appearances in federal court have not been scheduled and will take place by videoconference.
If convicted, Olson and Krohn each face a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. The charges against them are the result of investigations by the Madison Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey C. Stephan is handling the prosecution of these cases.
You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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