Oconto County Circuit Court proceedings

Proceedings of Sept. 23

Paul J. Baugnet, 41, Oconto Falls, waived his right to a preliminary hearing and was bound over on charges of possession of drug paraphernalia to manufacture, compound, convert, produce or store methamphetamine, and maintaining drug trafficking place, in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred April 5. Arraignment was scheduled for Oct. 17.

After a preliminary hearing Adam J. Julius, 19, Oconto Falls, was bound over on a charge of battery by a prisoner, in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred June 9. Arraignment was scheduled for Oct. 17.

Thomas L. Zeise, 32, Cecil, waived his right to a preliminary hearing and was bound over on a charge of possession with intent to deliver THC, in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred Feb. 25. Arraignment was scheduled for Oct. 30.

Proceedings of Sept. 20

Diann L. Moeller, 53, Oconto Falls, waived her right to a preliminary hearing and pleaded not guilty to possession of methamphetamine (second and subsequent offense), possession of narcotic drugs (second and subsequent offense), possession of THC (second and subsequent offense), in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred May 23. A pre-trial conference was scheduled for Oct. 18. In another case, an Oct. 7 preliminary hearing was scheduled on bail jumping and four other felony charges that arose after a search warrant was executed at her home Sept. 6, related to the manufacture and delivery of methamphetamine.

After a preliminary hearing Curt Porath, 48, Oconto, was bound over on charges of manufacture and delivery of amphetamine, possession of methamphetamine precursors, bail jumping, possession of paraphernalia to produce methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine waste, possession of methamphetamine, in connection with incidents that allegedly occurred Jan. 1 and Sept. 6. A Sept. 26 jury trial was removed from the calendar, involving two counts of manufacture or delivery of methamphetamine, in connection with incidents that allegedly occurred March 21 and March 22, 2018. Arraignment on the new charges was scheduled for Oct. 17, along with a status conference on the 2018 charges.

Brennan M. Covert, 33, Gillett, pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of possession of THC, criminal damage to property, and disorderly conduct, in connection with an incident that occurred Dec. 20. The drug charge was originally filed as a felony. Judge Michael T. Judge placed Covert on probation for two years, during which he must maintain absolute sobriety and full-time employment. He may have contact with the victim only with the consent of his probation agent, and he must undergo an alcohol and other drug abuse assessment, as well as anger and domestic abuse treatment, following through on any and all recommendations.

Brittney M. Rankel, 30, Green Bay, waived her right to a preliminary hearing and pleaded not guilty to charges of burglary and misappropriating ID information to obtain money, in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred June 21. Her next court appearance was scheduled for Nov. 14.

After a preliminary hearing Gary G. Rosek, 65, Mountain, was bound over on a charge of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (seventh offense), in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred Aug. 24. Arraignment was scheduled for Oct. 17.

Proceedings of Sept. 19

Douglas Lee Kluth, 66, Green Bay, was sentenced to prison for six years and six months, followed by four years of extended supervision, for his 10th conviction of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated in connection with an incident that occurred Feb. 27. Judge Michael T. Judge ruled that Kluth can be eligible for the Substance Abuse Program, under which inmates can earn reduced time upon completion, but not until after he has served at least five years in prison. Terms of the extended supervision include that he maintain absolute sobriety and that ignition interlock systems be installed in his vehicles.

After a preliminary hearing Aaron Hames Haun, 43, Abrams, was bound over on two counts first-degree sexual assault of a child younger than 13 and one count of false imprisonment, in connection with incidents that allegedly occurred April 1 and July 19. Arraignment was scheduled for Oct. 17. A defense request to reduce bond — currently set at $100,000 cash — was denied.

After a preliminary hearing Travis K. Smith, 35, Oconomowoc, was bound over on charges of second-degree recklessly endangering safety, operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (sixth offense) and misdemeanor operating while his driver’s license was revoked, in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred Aug. 30. Arraignment was scheduled for Oct. 17.

Emerson K. Reed III, 33, Green Bay, pleaded not guilty to charges of misappropriating identity information to obtain money and misdemeanor resisting or obstructing an officer and operating a motor vehicle while his license was revoked, in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred Sept. 24, 2018. A pre-trial conference was scheduled for Oct. 17.

Glen T. Vanlannen, 21, Mountain, pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of taking and driving a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent, in connection with an incident that occurred Sept. 14, 2018. The charge was originally filed as a felony. Judge Jay N. Conley accepted a deferred judgment agreement, withholding a finding of guilt and suspending the case for eight months, during which Vanlannen must abide by the terms of the agreement.

Proceedings of Sept. 18

Christopher M. Hatfield, 50, Wabeno, was sentenced to five years in prison, followed by four years of extended supervision, for repeated first- or second-degree sexual assault of the same child. Judge Michael T. Judge ordered that Hatfield have no contact with the victim or the victim’s family, and he may have no contact with anyone under 18 except family members without prior agent approval. Hatfield also must participate in and successfully complete sex offender treatment and follow through with recommendations. He is ordered to comply with the Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry.

After a preliminary hearing Christopher M. Earley, 44, Oconto, was bound over on charges of second-degree sexual assault and misdemeanor disorderly conduct, in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred Dec. 16, 2018. In a separate case, Earley is charged with injury by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle and injury by use of vehicle with a prohibited blood-alcohol content, in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred Jan. 26. Arraignment on the assault case and a status conference on the intoxication case were scheduled for Oct. 31.

Frank R. Thorpe, 34, Sobieski, waived his right to a preliminary hearing and was bound over on charges of possession of narcotic drugs and misdemeanor resisting an officer and possession of drug paraphernalia, in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred July 1. Arraignment was scheduled for Oct. 17.

Proceedings of Sept. 17

Wyatt J. Wheelock, 22, formerly of Keshena, was sentenced to three years in prison followed by three years of extended supervision for burglary to a building or dwelling in connection with an incident that occurred May 29, 2017. Judge Michael T. Judge ordered that the sentence be served consecutive to any prison terms from other counties. Online court records indicate he is serving a 21-month sentence from Brown County for escape and has cases awaiting sentencing in Shawano and Langlade counties.

Earl Stone, 28, Oconto Falls, was sentenced to 18 months in prison followed by two years of extended supervision for possession of narcotics drugs (second or subsequent offense) in connection with an incident that occurred July 28, 2018. Among conditions of the extended supervision, Judge Michael T. Judge ordered that Stone maintain absolute sobriety and complete an alcohol and other drug abuse assessment, following through with any and all recommendations.

Krystal I. Hardy, 37, Pound, was placed on three years of probation for two counts of possession of methamphetamine, in connection with an incident that occurred April 5. Judge Michael T. Judge ordered the probation after he imposed and stayed an 18-month prison term followed by two years of extended supervision. Conditions of probation include that she serve six months in the county jail, maintain absolute sobriety and complete an alcohol and other drug abuse assessment with follow through.

Bruce J. Carr, 65, Oconto Falls, entered an Alford plea of possession with intent to deliver THC, maintaining his innocence but conceding the state may have enough evidence to convict, and was found guilty in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred Feb. 8. A second charge of maintaining a drug trafficking place was dismissed but will be read into the record at sentencing, which Judge Jay N. Conley scheduled for Oct. 31. He also ordered a presentence investigation.

Judge Jay N. Conley accepted a deferred judgment agreement for Laurel Carr, 59, Oconto Falls, after she pleaded no contest to a charge of maintaining a drug trafficking place in connection with an incident that occurred Feb. 8. He suspended the case and placed her in the Oconto County VIP (Volunteers in Probation) program for one year.

Salvatore M. Ortiz, 25, Oconto Falls, pleaded no contest to charges of fleeing an officer and misdemeanor resisting/obstructing an officer, in connection with an incident that occurred March 2. Judge Michael T. Judge scheduled sentencing for Oct. 31 and ordered a presentence investigation.

Travis J. Gagnon, 21, Oconto, pleaded no contest to misdemeanor possession of THC in connection with an incident that occurred April 14 and was sentenced to 30 days in the county jail. The charge was originally a felony count but was amended in a plea agreement.

Francois-Xavier Brandon Marin, 26, Green Bay, waived his right to a preliminary hearing and was bounded over on charges of fleeing or eluding an officer while driving and misdemeanor resisting or obstructing an officer, in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred Sept. 4. Arraignment was scheduled for Oct. 17.

Proceedings of Sept. 16

Chalone P. VanHulle, 39, Green Bay, was sentenced to 18 months in prison, followed by two years of extended supervision, for possession of methamphetamine, in connection with an incident that occurred Nov. 4. A charge of manufacture/delivery of methamphetamine was dismissed but read into the record. Judge Jay N. Conley gave VanHulle credit for 275 days already served and ruled that she is eligible for the Substance Abuse Program, which allows for reduced time upon completion. During extended supervision she must obtain and maintain full-time employment and maintain absolute sobriety. A no-contact order with two individuals was also given.

Jason Michael Seckel, 22, River Falls, was placed on two years probation for fleeing an officer in his vehicle (repeat offender) in connection with an incident that occurred Dec. 7. Judge Michael T. Judge imposed and stayed an 18-month prison sentence, followed by two years of extended supervision, before imposing the probation, which includes 212 days in county jail consecutive to a 132-year Brown County jail term. During his probation Seckel must maintain absolute sobriety and undergo an alcohol and other drug abuse assessment, following through with the recommended treatment and counseling.

Nathan M. Kollman-Depner, 17, Oconto, waived his right to a preliminary hearing and was bound over on two counts of criminal damage to property, in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred May 4. Arraignment was scheduled for Oct. 17.

Mark A. Katt, 60, Sheboygan, waived his right to a preliminary hearing and was bound over of charges of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (fifth or sixth offense) and three counts of OWI causing injury, in connection with a crash that occurred July 14. Arraignment was scheduled for Oct. 17.

Proceedings of Sept. 12

Andrew Thomas Dupuis, 34, Porterfield, pleaded not guilty to charges of misappropriating ID information to obtain money, and misdemeanor theft by false representation, in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred Jan. 26. A further plea hearing was scheduled for Nov. 4.

Nicholas T. Knoerzer, 36, Oconto Falls, pleaded not guilty to charges of child abuse-intentionally causing harm and strangulation-suffocation, in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred June 30. A pre-trial conference was scheduled for Oct. 17.

Proceedings of Sept. 11

Darien N. Mcdonough, 24, Oconto Falls, was sentenced to two years of probation, including 47 days in jail already served, for false imprisonment, and assessed fees and costs of $533 in connection with a domestic incident that occurred Jan. 28. Charges of strangulation-suffocation and misdemeanor battery and disorderly conduct were dismissed but read into the record.