U.S. Attorney’s Office
January 07, 2014

Western District of Wisconsin
(608) 264–5158
MADISON, WI—John W. Vaudreuil, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Leotis Lewis, 40, Madison, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to five years in federal prison, to be followed by a three-year period of supervised release, for transporting stolen merchandise in interstate commerce. Lewis pleaded guilty to this charge on October 22, 2013.

Lewis and co-defendant Christopher Davis stole a trailer of merchandise from a Walgreens Distribution Center in DeForest, Wisconsin, on June 18, 2012. Several months earlier, they had stolen a semi-truck cab from a local trucking company, which they used to steal the trailer of merchandise.

On June 19, 2012, they transported more than $220,000 worth of the stolen merchandise to Chicago and left $198,000 worth of merchandise behind in Madison. They solicited heroin addicts to rent U-Hauls in Madison, which Lewis and Davis used to transport the stolen merchandise to Chicago.

Judge Conley chose a five-year sentence because Lewis has an extensive criminal history that includes convictions for attempted homicide, distributing cocaine, theft, and weapons offenses. Lewis’ sentence will be served consecutively to a sentence he is currently serving in state prison.

Davis pleaded guilty to participating in this crime and was sentenced on November 15, 2013, to four years in federal prison. Lewis and Davis were also sentenced to pay $418,000 in restitution.

The charges against Lewis were the result of an investigation conducted by the DeForest Police Department, Town of Madison Police Department, and Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita M. Rumbelow.

Original Release

In Brazil, Sao Paulo’s state assembly has passed a new bill (885/2009) aimed at combating cargo theft in the state. The bill, currently pending the governor’s signature, will introduce penalties for the sale or purchase of stolen goods as well as fines up to twice the amount of the stolen goods. The bill is designed to make it harder for thieves to find individuals willing to fence stolen merchandise.

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