Wilkes found guilty, faces sentencing in Gilman armed robbery

A Gilman man who robbed the Gilman Corner Store on Christmas Eve 2022 is awaiting sentencing after being found guilty by Judge Ann Knox-Bauer.

On June 25, Tommy Wilkes, 38, of Gilman, was found guilty of armed robbery due to a no contest plea as part of a plea agreement. A charge of theft movable property less than or equal to $2,500 was dismissed but read in for sentencing purposes.

The court ordered a presentence investigation and a sentencing hearing is set for October 16, at 10 a.m.

On December 24, 2022, at 5:47 p.m. the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting an armed robbery at the Cenex gas station located at 485 East Main Street in the Village of Gilman.

It was reported that a man entered the Cenex gas station in dark clothing wearing gloves and a mask to cover his face. The suspect was armed with a handgun that he pointed at the clerk while demanding money. The clerk indicated that the suspect exited the store with the money and was last seen leaving the scene on foot.

Taylor County Sheriff’s deputies arrived on scene and were unable to locate the suspect. However, they were able to follow the suspect’s foot tracks in the snow which led to an area where it appeared the suspect entered a parked vehicle and drove away.

Taylor County Detectives continued the investigation into the robbery and a suspect was developed. On December 26, 2022, a search warrant was conducted on the suspect’s home which is also located in the village of Gilman leading to the arrest of Wilkes.

Other court news:

Found guilty

William Cahoon, 34, of Medford, was found guilty due to a no contest plea of speeding in 55 mph zone, 1-10 mph and was ordered to pay $175.30. A charge of inattentive driving was dismissed on prosecutor’s motion Oliver Castrejon Conde, 27, of Dorchester, was found guilty due to a guilty plea of operating while revoked (revoked due to alcohol/controlled substance/refusal) and was ordered to pay $443.

Jeremy Dodge, 40, of Gilman, was found guilty due to a guilty plea of operating while revoked (revoked due to alcohol/controlled substance/refusal) and was ordered to pay $516.

Luke Hudak, 39, of Hayward, was found guilty due to a no contest plea of resisting or obstructing an officer and of criminal damage to property. A charge of disorderly conduct was dismissed but read in for sentencing purposes. Court orders a straight sentence with five (5) months in the county jail on each count, to be served concurrent to each other and to be served concurrent to any other sentence in being; DNA sample and surcharge fee on both counts; payment of court costs on both counts; $75 reimbursement of service of process fees on the resisting charge only. State is to look into any applicable sentence credit available to the defendant and report back to the court.Total financial obligations equal $961. Defendant is to set up a payment plan with the Taylor County Clerk of Court's office at a rate of $25/month beginning within 30 days of defendant's release from custody.

Andre Reid, 17, of Medford, was found guilty due to a no contest plea of truancy-1st and was ordered to pay $200.50.

Brandon Rice, 29, of Spencer, was found guilty due to a no contest plea of inattentive driving, amended from failure to yield while making a left turn and was ordered to pay $162.70.

Ethan Szydel, 33, of Stetsonville, was found guilty due to a guilty plea of OWI (1st) a charge of operating with a PAC >=.15 was dismissed. Court ordered Szydel to pay $1,057.50 in fines and cost. DOT License is revoked for 7 months, alcohol assessment and ignition interlock device were ordered.

Kamdyn Thompson, 20, of Gilman, was found guilty due to a no contest plea of operating without a valid license, amended from operating while revoked (revoked due to alcohol/controlled substance/refusal) and was ordered to pay $267.50

Dismissed

A charge of disorderly conduct - domestic abuse was dismissed on prosecutor’s motion against Kayleb Krohn, 22, of Medford.

Deferred prosecution agreement

A deferred prosecution agreement was approved for Luke Freeman, 31, of Stetsonville for a charge of disorderly conduct - domestic abuse.

Pleas entered

Anthony Sossaman, 44, of Colby, pled not guilty to a charge of disorderly conduct - domestic abuse and a charge of strangulation and suffocation - domestic abuse.

Juan Arauz Rodriguez, 37, of Medford, pled not guilty to bail jumping -felony, OWI (2nd), and operating without valid licenses (second within 3 years). A pretrial conference with the district attorney is scheduled for 11:15 a.m. on July 25. A status hearing is set for 10:45 a.m. on August 13.

Glenroy Vanlannen, 22, of Medford, pled not guilty to charges of possession of THC and bail jumping - felony. A jury trial is scheduled for January 28, 2025 at 8:30 a.m.

Jake Wendt, 38, of Rhinelander, pled not guilty to battery or threat to judge, prosecutor, or law enforcement officer; resisting or obstructing an officer; disorderly conduct; and bail jumping -felony. A pre-trial conference is scheduled for July 15 at 10 a.m. with a status hearing set for July 29 at 9:30 a.m.

Divorces

On June 24 a divorce was granted to Chantel Kuhn of Medford and Charles Kuhn of Medford.