Mondovi Man Sentenced to Over 15 Years in Prison for Possession of Firearms by a Felon
Madison, Wis.– John W. Vaudreuil, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that William Ernest Ziemer, 48, Mondovi, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Barbara B. Crabb to just over 15 years and 8 months in prison, without parole, for possession of firearms by a felon. Ziemer pleaded guilty to this charge on April 24, 2012.
On September 7, 2011, the defendant burglarized a home in Polk County, Wisconsin. Among other things, the defendant stole a Norinco SKS semi-automatic rifle, a Winchester, model 120, 12 gauge shotgun , and a Remington 7600, .270 caliber rifle. He took these firearms to his sister's residence and hid them in some bushes. The defendant had three prior violent felony convictions -- an aggravated robbery conviction in Washington County, Minnesota, another aggravated robbery in Washington County, Minnesota, and a burglary of a dwelling or building in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Because of these, he is considered an Armed Career Criminal under federal law and faced a penalty of 15 years to life.
The charges against Ziemer were the result of an investigation conducted by ATF; Chippewa County Sheriff's Department; Polk County Sheriff's Department; and St. Croix County Sheriff's Department. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Munish Sharda.
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