MADISON, WIS. — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Wisconsin, Western), published as received.

MADISON, WIS. - A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin, sitting in Madison, returned the following indictments this week. You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation, and a person named as defendant in an indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Madison Man Charged With Illegally Possessing Firearm and Ammunition

Johnell L. Britt, 27, Madison, Wisconsin, is charged with possessing a firearm as a felon. The indictment alleges that on December 11, 2025, Britt possessed a Glock 19 Gen5 9mm caliber pistol and 9mm ammunition.

If convicted, Britt faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison  .

The charge against him is the result of an investigation conducted by the ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force, which is comprised of federal agents from ATF and Task Force Officers from state and local agencies throughout the Western District of Wisconsin. Assistant U.S. Attorney Colleen Lennon is handling the case.

Illinois Man Charged With Drug Distribution

Kendrick Payton, 30, Rockford, Illinois, is charged with distributing controlled substances. The indictment alleges that Payton distributed heroin on December 18, 2024, and cocaine on February 18, 2025. The indictment further alleges that Payton distributed 40 grams or more of fentanyl on January 6, 2025, January 10, 2025, and February 18, 2025.

If convicted, Payton faces a minimum penalty of 5 years in federal prison and a maximum penalty of 40 years in federal prison for each of the charges involving fentanyl. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the charges involving cocaine and heroin.

The charges against Payton are the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Rock County Sheriff’s Office, and Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Louis Glinzak is handling the case.

The cases in the press release are part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the U.S. 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).