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Presentence investigation ordered in multiple-charge plea agreement

Taylor County Circuit Court Judge Ann Knox-Bauer ordered a presentence investigation and a sentencing hearing to be held in January for a Rib Lake man facing multiple drug, property, bail jumping and disorderly conduct charges.

Lloyd Westphal, 54, of Rib Lake, was in court on October 31 for a plea hearing. The plea agreement brought together six different felony cases encompassing a total of 26 counts of criminal activity going back to 2022.

Under terms of the agreement, Westphal agreed to plead no contest to the following charges: arson of property other than a building; 1st degree recklessly endangering safety; possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine; and two counts of felony bail jumping.

The following charges were dismissed but read in for sentencing purposes: battery; Arson of property other than building; throw or discharge bodily fluid at a public safety worker or prosecutor; criminal damage to property; disorderly conduct - domestic abuse; negligent handling of burning material; two counts of possession of THC (2nd+ offense); two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia; and 11 counts of felony bail jumping.

In return for the no contest pleas, District Attorney Kristi Tlusty said the state planned to cap the sentencing recommendations at four years of initial confinement followed by five years of extended supervision. Westphal’s attorney had the opportunity to argue those recommendations.

While plea agreements are negotiated by lawyers for the prosecution and defense, it is ultimately the judge who approves them and can either go along with the sentence recommendations in the agreement or order something else.

The court ordered the presentence investigation for the arson, reckless endangerment, and possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine cases. Sentencing is scheduled for January 2, 2025 at 11 a.m.

In other court action last week, a charge of OWI (3rd) against Tammy Radzinski, 52, of Monico, was dismissed on prosecutor’s motion.

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