A federal grand jury in Madison, Wisconsin, has returned indictments against several individuals on charges related to drug trafficking and firearms offenses. The indictments were announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Wisconsin.
Gairitt Schad, 27, of Madison, is accused of possessing cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin with intent to distribute. He is also charged with possessing a loaded handgun in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes and with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. According to the indictment, these alleged offenses occurred on April 17, 2025. If convicted on the methamphetamine charge involving 50 grams or more, Schad faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to forty years in prison. The firearm-related charge carries an additional mandatory minimum sentence of five years. Other charges carry maximum penalties ranging from fifteen to twenty years.
The investigation into Schad was conducted by the Dane County Narcotics Task Force and the ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan is prosecuting the case.
Jason Bloedow, 41, from Eau Claire, faces charges including distributing methamphetamine, possessing methamphetamine intended for distribution, and maintaining a drug-involved premises. The indictment alleges that Bloedow sold methamphetamine on two occasions in March and April 2025—one sale involving at least fifty grams—and possessed over five hundred grams intended for distribution later that month. He is also accused of using his residence as a base for drug activity. If convicted on the most serious charge involving over five hundred grams of methamphetamine, Bloedow could face ten years to life in prison.
The West Central Drug Task Force led the investigation into Bloedow’s activities with support from local sheriff’s offices and assistance from district attorney’s offices in Dunn County and Eau Claire County. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Remington is handling prosecution.
Noah A. Hodges, 43, also from Madison, has been indicted for allegedly possessing fifty grams or more of methamphetamine intended for distribution on February 6, 2025. If found guilty, Hodges faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to forty years in prison.
His case resulted from an investigation by multiple agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force, Dane County Narcotics Task Force, Lake Winnebago Area Metropolitan Enforcement Group, Wisconsin State Patrol, and Madison Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven P. Anderson is prosecuting.
Austin Heil, 27, Wausau resident, is charged with possessing fifty grams or more of methamphetamine intended for distribution as alleged on February 20, 2024. If convicted he faces between five and forty years’ imprisonment.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force led this investigation along with other local law enforcement agencies; ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force assisted as well. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Remington is prosecuting this case.
Jalen Hayes, 25 of Fitchburg is charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl mixture along with cocaine oxycodone heroin; being a felon in possession of a loaded firearm; as well as possessing that firearm during drug trafficking—all alleged to have occurred July 25th this year according to prosecutors: “If convicted of the drug charge Hayes faces maximum penalty twenty years… felon-in-possession charge carries maximum penalty fifteen years… firearm-in-furtherance-of-drug-trafficking crime carries mandatory minimum penalty five years maximum life.”
Investigators included Fitchburg Police Department together with ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force; Assistant U.S Attorney Corey Stephan leads prosecution.
These cases are part of Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative under the Department of Justice designed to combat illegal immigration-related crime and dismantle cartels and transnational criminal organizations through coordinated efforts such as Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Officials remind that “a charge is merely an accusation,” adding: “a person named as defendant in an indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.”
A correction was issued noting that Austin Heil was not charged with illegally possessing a firearm contrary to earlier reports.
