COURTR - Charges dismissed against man whose remains were found in Millpond

COURT R

EPORTS

Taylor County Circuit Court Judge Ann Knox-Bauer approved dismissing a number of cases against Martevious Watts, 31, of Antigo.

Watts’ remains were recently recovered from the Medford Millpond after a weeklong search. Watts had changed his address with the courts from Medford to Antigo effective October 1.

It is routine for the courts to dismiss charges when the defendant is deceased.

Charges dismissed include: fishing without a license, six counts of bail jumping - misdemeanor, disorderly conduct, resisting or obstructing an officer and battery or threat to judge, prosector or law enforcement officer.

Found guilty

Dante Axon, 19, of Medford, was found guilty at a court trial of operating a vehicle without stopping lights and was ordered to pay $162.70. He was also found guilty of failure to display vehicle license plates and was ordered to pay $150.10.

Daren Belen Olivera, 21, of Medford, was found guilty due to a no contest plea of operating without a valid license and was ordered to pay $200.50. She was also found guilty due to a no contest plea of operating a motor vehicle without insurance and was ordered to pay $200.50.

Jason Bouwma, 41, of Hazelhurst, was found guilty due to a guilty plea of disorderly conduct - domestic abuse. A charge of battery was dismissed but read in for sentencing purposes. Court orders a withheld sentence and places the defendant on probation for a period of one (1) year. Conditions of probation include: Payment of court costs, DNA sample and surcharge fee, counseling as deemed necessary by probation agent. Total amount owed is $543, to be paid out of cash bond posted. Remaining cash bond to be refunded to defendant. Sentence credit of 5 days if revoked from probation.

Matthew Bunkelman, 56, of Medford, was found guilty due to a no contest plea of disorderly conduct as an ordinance violation amended from misdemeanor disorderly conduct and was ordered to pay $330.50.

Katrina Cowan, 26, of Merrill, was found guilty due to a no contest plea of disorderly conduct - domestic abuse and was ordered to pay $579.

Bruce Drangle, 85, of Gilman, was found guilty due to a no contest plea of animal running at large and was ordered to pay $206.60. A charge of animal running at large was dismissed on prosecutor’s motion.

James Mortensen, 18, of Barronett, was found guilty due to a guilty plea of disorderly conduct and was ordered to pay $579. A charge of resisting or obstructing an officer was dismissed but read in for sentencing purposes.

Kenneth Petersen, 69, of Rib Lake was found guilty due to a no contest plea of five counts of being an unlicensed car dealer/wholesaler and was ordered to pay $767.50 for each count, totaling $3,837.50.

Dawson Westrich, 23, of Medford, was found guilty due to a no contest plea of possession of THC, amended from possession of THC (2nd + offense) and of possession of drug paraphernalia. Under terms of a plea agreement, court dismissed the following charges: possess open intoxicants in motor vehicle - driver; failure to maintain vehicle brakes in working order; vent/side window excessive tinting; rear side window excessive tinting; automobile following too closely. Court orders a withheld sentence and places the defendant on probation for a period of one year. Conditions of probation include: $100 fine plus court costs on each count, DNA sample and surcharge fee on each count, AODA and follow through with all treatment recommendations, counseling as deemed necessary by the probation agent, defendant to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent as deemed necessary by the probation agent. Total due $1,347. Defendant shall make all payments to the Clerk of Court's office at the rate of $300 per month starting no later than November 8, 2024. Sentence credit of 2 days if revoked from probation.

Joseph Zak, 59, of Stetsonville, was found guilty due to a no contest plea of battery - domestic abuse and dismissed on prosecutor’s motion a charge of battery - domestic abuse. Court orders a withheld sentence and places the defendant on probation for a period of one year. Conditions of probation include: Payment of courts costs, DNA sample and surcharge fee, restitution in the amount of $261.64, no contact with J.A.Z., and counseling as deemed necessary by the probation agent. Total amount due is $543.00 as restitution has been paid. Defendant shall set up a payment plan with the Clerk of Court's office to pay $75 per month with the first payment due no later than December 9, 2024 and will continue being due the second Tuesday of each month thereafter.

Deferred prosecution

A deferred prosecution agreement was approved for Christine Ketterhagen, 40, of Rib Lake, for a charge of trespassing.