Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
MADISON, WIS. – Chadwick M. Elgersma, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Kory Washington, 21, Madison, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 33 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. Washington pleaded guilty to this charge on June 5, 2025.
On November 19, 2024, law enforcement in Madison attempted to arrest Washington because he had an outstanding warrant. Washington fled and during the chase, officers saw him throw a handgun. Officers ultimately apprehended Washington and recovered the handgun, which was a loaded .9mm Smith & Wesson M&P Shield. The handgun had previously been reported stolen in Illinois. Washington is prohibited from legally possessing firearms or ammunition because of prior felony convictions.
At sentencing, Judge Peterson noted that despite his young age, Washington had already committed an unrelenting stream of crimes, and his criminal conduct was escalating as evidenced by his decision to arm himself in this case. Judge Peterson also cited Washington’s gang ties as a reason for concern, commenting that Washington was the seventh member of the same gang sentenced to federal prison.
The charge against Washington was the result of an investigation conducted by the Madison Police Department and the ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force, which is comprised of agents from ATF and Task Force Officers from state and local agencies throughout the Western District of Wisconsin. Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan prosecuted this case.
Federal criminal cases involving firearms are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).