Kavant Smith, a 25-year-old resident of Fitchburg, Wisconsin, was sentenced on Mar. 12 to two years in federal prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon, according to an announcement by United States Attorney Chadwick M. Elgersma for the Western District of Wisconsin. The sentence was handed down by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson and will be followed by three years of supervised release.
The case highlights ongoing efforts to address gun-related offenses among individuals with prior felony convictions. Smith pleaded guilty to the charge on December 15, 2025.
According to court records, Smith was stopped by Fitchburg police on January 27, 2025, while driving alone. Officers searched his vehicle and found a loaded Smith & Wesson M&P 9 Shield handgun with a partially obliterated serial number under the passenger seat. Although Smith denied knowledge of the weapon, DNA analysis later confirmed his DNA on multiple parts of the gun. Due to previous felony convictions, Smith is legally barred from possessing firearms or ammunition.
During sentencing, Judge Peterson said that Smith’s criminal history was an aggravating factor in determining the sentence. The judge noted that Smith had two other gun-related offenses and was on state probation for another felon-in-possession conviction at the time of this federal offense. Additionally, Smith has a prior felony conviction involving robbery with an armed accomplice.
The investigation was conducted by the Fitchburg Police Department and the ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force, which includes federal agents from ATF as well as state and local law enforcement throughout the Western District of Wisconsin. Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan prosecuted the case.
Federal prosecutions like this are part of Operation Take Back America, an initiative by the U.S. Department of Justice aimed at combating illegal immigration, eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protecting communities from violent crime through coordinated efforts such as Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Smith’s sentencing reflects continued law enforcement focus on reducing violent crime associated with illegal firearms possession.
