Jon Paquette, pastor of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Birchwood, WI has been charged in Barron County Circuit Court with felony burglary. According to documents received via public records request, Paquette was identified as a suspect in a report of a break-in and theft of prescription pain medication in Rice Lake, WI.
Barron County Sheriff's Department investigators responded to a complaint of a break-in on October 26th, 2016. The victims advised the investigators that their home had been broken into approximately one month earlier and they had installed a camera on their driveway as a result.
On October 26th, the victims returned home in the evening after being away all day and noticed a door on the residence was broken. Barron Sheriff's Department investigators observed that the door had visible pry marks along the door jamb and that the bolt from the door knob was broken. The victim reviewed the footage from their outdoor camera with the investigators and identified the individual as their pastor, Jon Paquette.
Paquette was observed entering the property with what appeared to be a flat style crowbar. The victim advised investigators that the only item missing was a pill bottle containing his prescription for oxycodone.
A search warrant was obtained for Jon Paquette's residence and vehicle and the pry bar was located along with a pill bottle matching the description of the missing medication given by the victim of the break-in.
Paquette was placed under arrest and interviewed by Barron County Sheriff's Department investigators. During the interview, Paquette confessed to the break-in and admitted to taking the prescription pills. Paquette also admitted to the earlier break-in of the same residence, stating he did not locate any medication that time. Paquette also admitted to breaking into at least 3 other residences with the intent of finding prescription pain medications, and stated that he did take hydrocodone pills from one of those other break-ins.
Paquette has been placed under a $5,000 signature bail bond and is due back in Barron County Circuit Court on January 13th, 2017.
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Birchwood Pastor Arrested On Burglary Charges
Friday, October 28, 2016 | Barron County Sheriff's Dept. Press Release
On Thursday, October 27, 2016, the Barron County Sheriff’s Department served a search warrant at 117 E Park Avenue in the Village of Birchwood and took Jon Paquette, 56 of this address, into custody.
Mr. Paquette is the Pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Birchwood and is currently being held in the Barron County Jail on Burglary charges.
While this investigation is ongoing, it appears that Mr. Paquette was targeting the homes of church members while they were not home, burglarizing them and taking prescription medications.
At this time this case remains under investigation while we determine the number of houses where this has occurred.
Per Chris Fitzgerald, Barron County Sheriff
Image Via Barron County Inmate Roster
Last Update: Nov 22, 2016 10:21 am CST
