Federal Grand Jury Returns Indictments

May 20, 2010 - MADISON, WI—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.

Tomahawk Man Charged with Producing Child Pornography

James A. Laffin, 46, Tomahawk, Wis., is charged with four counts of using a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct. The indictment alleges that Laffin produced child pornography on November 14 and November 15 , 2009.

If convicted, Laffin faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years and a maximum penalty of 40 years in federal prison on each count. The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Greenfield Police Department. The prosecution of this case has been assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Przybylinski Finn.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

La Crosse Man Faces Crack Cocaine Charges

Tremayne A. Palmer, 32, La Crosse, Wis., is charged with distributing five grams or more of crack cocaine, and with possessing 50 grams or more of crack cocaine with intent to distribute. The indictment alleges that he possessed and distributed crack cocaine on March 9, 2010.

If convicted, Palmer faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum penalty of 40 years in federal prison on the distribution charge, and a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years and a maximum of life in federal prison on the possession with intent to distribute charge.

The charges against Palmer are the result of an investigation by the La Crosse Police Department and La Crosse County Sheriff’s Department. The prosecution of this case has been assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter M. Jarosz.

Trego Woman Charged with Social Security Fraud

Suzi A. Anderson, 40, Trego, Wis., is charged in a four-count indictment with failing to disclose to the Social Security Administration that a minor was no longer in her custody with making false statements to the Social Security Administration, and with converting Social Security payments for her own use rather than for the use and benefit of a minor.

The indictment alleges that by these actions, Anderson received $7,590 in Social Security payments to which she was not entitled from October 2008 to October 2009.

If convicted, Anderson faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison on each count. The charges against her are the result of an investigation by the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General. The prosecution of this case has been assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Anderson.