MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Donald R. Spivey, Jr., 23, Madison, Wisconsin was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 78 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a felon. Spivey pleaded guilty to this charge on December 18, 2024.
On July 15, 2024, Spivey abused his partner after she kicked him out of the house. During this incident Spivey strangled her and then grabbed her phone preventing her from calling the police. Spivey also pointed a handgun at her and stole a Glock 19 9mm from her.
Only July 17, 2024, police found Spivey sleeping in a stolen Jeep and tried to arrest him. Spivey drove off, causing officers to jump out of the way. Spivey then led police on a chase at speeds up to 115 miles per hour before he crashed, rolling the Jeep which landed on top of two vehicles in a driveway. Spivey then fled from the Jeep and was arrested with the assistance of a K9. Officers found the victim’s stolen Glock 19 9mm along Spivey’s path of flight and near the Jeep. Officers also found a Glock 20 10mm handgun equipped with a machinegun conversion device (MCD) in the Jeep.
Spivey is a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing firearms. Possession of an MCD, also known as a “switch,” is illegal. An MCD is itself considered a machinegun and converts a handgun to fire fully automatic.
At sentencing, Judge Conley noted that Spivey’s criminal history started at a young age and included offenses where he assaulted the two mothers of his children, firing a handgun at one. Judge Conley observed that Spivey had served time in prison and was on state supervision when he once again engaged in domestic violence in this federal case, concluding that Spivey poses a danger to society.
The charge against Spivey was the result of an investigation conducted by the Madison Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan prosecuted this case.
This case has been brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Department’s program to reduce violent crime. The PSN approach emphasizes coordination between state and federal prosecutors and all levels of law enforcement to address gun crime, especially felons illegally possessing firearms and ammunition and violent and drug crimes that involve the use of firearms.
