Oconto County Circuit Court proceedings

Proceedings of Jan. 8

Nova J. Winans, 21, Kaukauna, formerly Oconto Falls, was sentenced to two years in prison followed by two years of extended supervision, for possession with intent to deliver amphetamine, in connection with an incident that occurred Oct. 3, 2019. Judge Michael T. Judge ruled that Winans is eligible for the Challenge Incarceration and Substance Abuse programs (CIP and SAP), which can result in early release upon successful completion. Conditions of extended supervision include that she maintain absolute sobriety and comply with any assessment, counseling and treatment deemed necessary by the Department of Corrections agent.

Cassy M. Devereux, 31, Oconto, was placed on two years of probation, beginning with 30 days in the county jail, for possession of methamphetamine in connection with an incident that occurred Nov. 24, 2019. Judge Jay N. Conley gave her credit for four days already served and ruled she is eligible for Huber work-release and good time privileges. Conditions of probation include that Devereaux maintain absolute sobriety and that she complete all assessments, counseling and treatment deemed necessary by her Department of Corrections agent.

Tracy Ann Christenson, 39, Appleton, pleaded no contest to possession of methamphetamine in connection with an incident that occurred June 6. Judge Jay N. Conley scheduled sentencing for March 15 and ordered a pre-sentence investigation.

Kevin J. Dotson, 36, Wauwatosa, pleaded no contest to misdemeanor counts of resisting an officer and disorderly conduct, in connection with an incident that occurred April 4. A felony count of bail jumping was dropped in a plea agreement. Judge Michael T. Judge sentenced Dotson to 279 days already served in the county jail and assessed fines and court costs totaling $926.

A three-day jury trial starting Aug. 18 was scheduled in the case of Michael J. Baye, 61, Oconto, who is charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (fifth or sixth offense), battery or threat to a law officer, misdemeanor counts of operating while revoked, tampering with or failure to install an ignition interlock device, three counts of resisting or obstructing an officer and disorderly conduct, in connection with an incident that allegedly took place May 19. A final pre-trial conference is scheduled for July 26.

After a preliminary hearing, William J. Neering, 45, Oconto, was bound over on charges of strangulation-suffocation and misdemeanor counts of battery and disorderly conduct, in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred Nov. 27. Arraignment was scheduled for Feb. 11.

Michael L. Connerton, 35, Cudahy, pleaded not guilty to charges of fleeing an officer in a vehicle, second-degree recklessly endangering safety and taking and driving a vehicle without the owner’s consent, as well as misdemeanor counts of resisting or obstructing an officer and criminal damage to property, in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred March 31, 2020. A status conference was scheduled for March 25.

Proceedings of Jan. 7

A three-day jury trial beginning March 2 was scheduled for Joshua M. Waschbisch, 32, Oconto, on charges of possession of methamphetamine, maintaining a drug trafficking place, possession of narcotic drugs and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred April 30. A final pre-trial conference was set for Jan. 29.

A two-day jury trial beginning April 13 was scheduled for Lee W. Phillips, 39, Oconto, on charges of strangulation-suffocation and misdemeanor disorderly conduct and possession of drug paraphernalia, in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred Aug. 22. A final pre-trial conference is scheduled for March 25.

After a motion hearing, Judge Jay N. Conley ruled that the state must return a truck seized from Kevin Lynn Ruhnke, 65, Hermantown, Minnesota, when he was arrested July 30 and charged with second-degree reckless injury. To preserve evidence for the pending trial, no alterations may be made to the vehicle’s condition without order of the court, except for normal maintenance, such as an oil change. A pre-trial conference is scheduled for March 11.

Proceedings of Jan. 6

Emily A. Hock, 24, Gillett, pleaded no contest to harboring/aiding a felon and three misdemeanor counts of resisting or obstructing an officer, in connection with incidents that occurred Aug. 30, 2019, and Jan. 6, 2020. Judge Michael T. Judge withheld sentencing on the felony count based on a deferred prosecution agreement and placed Hock on two years’ probation for the misdemeanors, assessing fines and court costs totaling $1,509 and issuing a no-contact order, among other conditions.

Breanna B. List-Kimball, 28, Oconto, pleaded no contest to counts of burglary, one count of felony bail jumping and one count of misdemeanor bail jumping, in connection with incidents that occurred in late April and early May. Judge Michael T. Judge scheduled sentencing for March 12 and ordered a pre-sentence investigation.

Christopher Alan Barstow, 36, Marinette, pleaded not guilty to possession of methamphetamine, in connection with an incident that occurred July 29. Judge James A. Morrison scheduled sentencing for March 9 and ordered a pre-sentence investigation.

Mckenzie Paige Ottesen, 29, Green Bay, pleaded not guilty to possession with intent to deliver amphetamine and misdemeanor possession of THC and possession of drug paraphernalia, in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred Oct. 27. A status conference was scheduled for March 9.

Joyce A. Madison, 54, Oconto, pleaded not guilty to charges of possession of paraphernalia to produce methamphetamine (second and subsequent offense) and possession of methamphetamine (second and subsequent offense), in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred Nov. 4. In another case, she waived her right to a preliminary hearing and pleaded not guilty to manufacturing with intent to deliver amphetamine, maintaining a drug trafficking place, in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred April 8. A status conference was scheduled for March 9.

Elliot Lee Preston, 37, Wallace, Michigan, waived his right to a preliminary hearing and pleaded not guilty to possession of narcotic drugs, in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred Dec. 7. A status conference was scheduled for March 9.

Proceedings of Jan. 5

Colton Duwayne Brede, 26, Bonduel, pleaded no contest to second-degree recklessly endangering safety and misdemeanor counts of endangering safety by use of a dangerous weapon, disorderly conduct and intentionally mistreating animals, in connection with an incident that occurred Nov. 3, 2019. Judge Jay N. Conley approved a deferred judgment agreement on the felony and placed Brede on three years of probation for the misdemeanors, including 30 days in the county jail. Among other conditions, Brede must maintain absolute sobriety, may not possess firearms and must undergo an alcohol and other drug abuse assessment and follow through with recommended treatment.

Jesse Brian Rickard, 29, Gillett, pleaded no contest to substantial battery with the intent to cause bodily harm and misdemeanor charges of criminal damage to property and bail jumping, in connection with an incident that occurred Feb. 23. Judge Jay N. Conley scheduled sentencing for March 9 and ordered a pre-sentence investigation.

Manuel Antonio Herrera-Hernandez, 32, Green Bay, pleaded not guilty to charges of possession with intent to deliver amphetamine and misdemeanor possession of THC and possession of drug paraphernalia, in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred Oct. 27. A pre-trial conference was scheduled for Jan. 25.

Armando A. Pena, 24, Green Bay, waived his right to a preliminary hearing and was bound over for possession with intent to deliver amphetamine and misdemeanor possession of THC and possession of drug paraphernalia, in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred Oct. 27. Arraignment was scheduled for Jan. 12.

Proceedings of Jan. 4

Adam J. Charles, 50, Suamico, was placed on three years’ probation after a prison term was imposed and stayed for possession of materials to produce methamphetamine and misdemeanor operating while revoked, in connection with an incident that occurred Dec. 18, 2019, and possession of methamphetamine, in connection with an incident that occurred June 27. Judge Michael T. Judge ruled that probation includes three months in jail, with 25 days credit for time already served. Conditions of probation also include that Charles maintain absolute sobriety and complete all programs deemed appropriate by the Department of Corrections.

Jesse Brian Rickard, 29, Gillett, pleaded no contest to charges of substantial battery with the intent to cause bodily harm and misdemeanor counts of criminal damage to property and bail jumping, in connection with an incident that occurred Feb. 23. Judge Jay N. Conley revoked Rickard’s bail, scheduled sentencing for March 9 and ordered a pre-sentence investigation.

After a preliminary hearing, Phillip E. Miller, 40, Gillett, was bound over on a charge of repeated sexual assault of the same child. Arraignment was scheduled for Feb. 11.

Bond was set at $5,000 cash for Brody J. Tappa, 34, Oconto, after he was charged with two counts of victim intimidation, child abuse recklessly causing harm, false imprisonment, substantial battery and misdemeanor counts of battery and theft of movable property, in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred July 1. His initial appearance was adjourned until Jan. 14.

Bond was set at $5,000 cash for Christopher Thomas VanDenElzen, 47, Green Bay, after he was charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (fifth or sixth offense), in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred Dec. 31. His initial appearance was adjourned until Jan. 14.