May 14, 2014 at 4:21 p.m.
Defendant in Verizon burglary case facing federal charges
Defendant in Verizon burglary case facing federal charges
Siphanh Phongsavath, 35, is facing several charges in Oneida County Circuit Court for the November break-in, but is also suspected to have ties to the gang the Latin Kings and other crimes in Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota. He was indicted earlier this year for two robberies in the Milwaukee area. During a status conference on Tuesday in Oneida County Circuit Court, Phongsavath's attorney, Anthony Cotton, asked the court to adjourn the case while scheduling is worked out and the investigation continues on the federal level.
"The U.S. attorney has indicated he's working on some sort of comprehensive resolution that takes into account everything my client is charged with or suspected of being involved in," Cotton said.
He said a scheduling conference for the federal case is set for June 25 and at that point he will likely know more about how the Oneida County charges will factor in.
Phongsavath was arrested by local officials on Nov. 26, 2013 following a foot pursuit that occurred when a Rhinelander patrol officer was alerted to an alarm coming from a Lincoln Street shopping complex at approximately 2:30 a.m. As the officer investigated the alarm, she observed a smashed window at the Verizon store and an individual (later identified as Phongsavath) inside. Phongsavath fled, but law enforcement officials were able to track his footprints in the snow and eventually took him into custody.
In Oneida County Circuit Court, Phongsavath was charged with felony counts of burglary and possession of burglarious tools, as well as misdemeanor counts of attempted theft, criminal damage to property and resisting or obstructing an officer. According to prosecutors, Phongsavath's arrest caught the attention of Milwaukee detectives who believe he is affiliated with the Latin Kings and various crimes around Wisconsin and in neighboring states connected to the gang, such as home invasions and store break-ins similar to the incident in Rhinelander.
In the federal case filed earlier this year, Phongsavath is facing three charges connected to two incidents. The indictment alleges that on Jan. 1, 2013 Phongsavath and another man, Jarold Cruz, robbed the owner of a Milwaukee area liquor store and obtained approximately $10,000. The indictment also alleges that on Oct. 4, 2013 Phongsavath and David Vega Jr. attempted to rob the owner of a Milwaukee area restaurant. In that case, Phongsavath and Vega are also accused of discharging a firearm during the robbery.
The two counts of robbery carry a combined maximum possible penalty of 40 years in prison. Discharging a firearm during a robbery adds a minimum of 10 years to a prison sentence.
Kyle Rogers may be reached at [email protected].
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