Wisconsin man sentenced to federal prison after possessing gun as a felon

MADISON, Wis. (WFRV) – A 34-year-old Wisconsin man was sentenced Wednesday to federal prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon.

Jesse Turnmire, 34, of Durand, was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison for the crimes to which he pleaded guilty in February, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Wisconsin.

Court records show that on July 7, 2023, law enforcement was dispatched to the town of Clear Creek in response to a report that a man, later identified as Turnmire, had collapsed over the steering wheel of his vehicle at a stop sign.

Officers investigating his condition suspected Turnmire was under the influence of drugs and searched his vehicle. During the search, they found a firearm wrapped in a restaurant uniform shirt, which was in a bag hidden under the corner of the front bumper.

Police also discovered a gun magazine in the center console containing seven .45 caliber rounds.

Turnmire is prohibited from legally possessing firearms due to multiple drug crime convictions in La Crosse and Trempealeau counties, as well as state and federal convictions for possessing a firearm as a than crime.

Judge James Peterson revoked Turnmire's federal supervision and imposed a two-year sentence, cumulative with the 51 months of his resentencing.

The charge against Turnmire resulted from an investigation by the Eau Claire County Sheriff's Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.