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MADISON, WIS. — A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin, sitting in Madison, returned the following indictments today. You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes. If convicted, the sentencing of a defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
New Richmond Woman Charged with Tax & Fraud Crimes
Stephanie M. Johnson, also known as Stephanie Heidtke, 40, New Richmond, Wis., is charged with tax crimes and mail fraud. According to the indictment, Johnson was the co-founder, vice president, and treasurer of Paradigm Services, Inc. (PSI), a company which provided group homes and home health care to adults with developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, and mental illnesses. PSI was located in New Richmond.
The indictment alleges that throughout calendar years 2011, 2012, and 2013, PSI withheld tax payments from its employees’ paychecks and that Johnson, as the responsible person at PSI, was required to make quarterly payments to the IRS on behalf of PSI and its employees. The indictment charges her with 10 counts of failing to make quarterly payments to the IRS of all payroll taxes due to the United States from October 31, 2011 through January 31, 2014, and alleges that the total amount of payroll taxes due during this time period was $240,527.66.
Johnson is also charged with five counts of mail fraud related to a scheme to defraud PSI. The indictment alleges that Johnson misappropriated money from PSI’s corporate bank account and used the funds for her personal expenses, including meals, entertainment, clothing, and other items. The indictment alleges that she miscoded personal expenses in PSI’s books and records as company expenses. The indictment alleges that Johnson embezzled approximately $197,230.64 from PSI as a result of this fraud scheme.
If convicted, Johnson faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison on each tax count, and 20 years in federal prison on each mail fraud count. The charges against her are the result of an investigation by IRS Criminal Investigation. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Darren Halverson.
Mondovi Man Charged with Stealing from U.S. Postal Service
Anthony Q. Bell, 35, Mondovi, Wis., is charged with stealing funds from the U.S. Postal Service. The indictment alleges that from September through December 2015, he stole more than $5,000. At the time, Bell was an employee of the U.S. Postal Service at the Strum Post Office.
If convicted, Bell faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Schlipper.
Mexican Citizen Charged with Illegally Reentering U.S.
Antonio Uriostegui-Valencia, 30, a citizen of Mexico found living in Madison, Wis., is charged with illegally reentering the United States after previously being removed. The indictment alleges that he was found in the U.S. on August 28, 2017.
If convicted, Uriostegui-Valencia faces a maximum penalty of two years in federal prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Madison Police Department. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan.
