A Grantsburg, WI man is facing new charges of Felony Theft of Movable Property in Burnett County Circuit Court in addition to a case filed against him earlier this year charging him with felony fleeing and drug-related offenses.
DrydenWire.com reported in March 2018 that Denn was being charged with Class I Felony Possession of Methamphetamine, Class H Felony Battery to Law Enforcement Officer, Class I Felony Attempting to Flee or Elude a Traffic Officer, Class H Felony Attempt Disarming a Peace Officer, Class H Felony Escape, two counts of Misdemeanor Resisting an Officer, and Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia after an incident on February 16, 2018 in the Town of Trade Lake, Burnett County. Multiple non-criminal traffic citations were also filed against Denn, including Operating While Intoxicated 1st Offense, Reckless Driving-Endanger Safety, Operating Left of Center Line, Operate Without Insurance, Operate Without Registration Lamps, and Fail to Wear Seat Belt.
A criminal complaint filed on June 18, 2018, in Burnett County Circuit Court states that Denn is now facing new charges of Class G Felony Theft of Movable Property (greater than $10,000, less than $100,000); Class H Felony Receiving Stolen Property (greater than $5,000, less than $10,000); Class I Felony Possession of Methamphetamine; Class H Felony Bail Jumping; Misdemeanor Possession of THC (Marijuana); and Misdemeanor Possess Drug Paraphernalia. These charges stem from a report received by the Burnett County Sheriff’s Office that Denn had been staying without permission at a cabin in Burnett County.
The owner of the cabin contacted the Sheriff’s Office and stated that when her family members went to the cabin on May 18, 2018, Denn and numerous other people, including children, were at the cabin and had apparently been staying there for some period of time.
The cabin owner went on to tell investigating officers that Denn had previously done “handyman work” for her on the cabin. Statements received by the investigating officers indicated that it took several hours for Denn and the other people at the cabin to pack up their belongings, including a large amount of food stored in the freezer.
Denn also indicated that he was going to take a Bobcat, which belonged to the cabin owner and had an estimated value of $12,000. Denn was advised that he was not allowed to take the Bobcat, however, he ultimately did load it up on a trailer and leave with it. The owner of the Bobcat confirmed to investigating officers that although she had agreed to allow Denn to use the Bobcat at one point in time, she had not given him permission to take it during this time frame. She also reported that a John Deere residential grade riding lawn mower was missing.
According to the criminal complaint on May 24, 2018, a search warrant was executed at a Burnett County property connected to Michael Denn, and during that search warrant, investigating officers located marijuana and items of drug paraphernalia that testing positive for methamphetamine.
Interviews conducted by officers investigating this case also revealed that Denn had been in possession of property reportedly stolen from construction sites, including a trailer and a generator. On a trailer that was located, officers noted that modifications had damaged the trailer and were most likely done to mask the original appearance of the trailer.
Online circuit court records show that Denn appeared for a bail bond hearing in Burnett County Circuit Court on May 25, 2018, and the court placed him on a $2,500 cash bail bond which was posted the next day. Denn is scheduled to appear again in August regarding his various criminal charges.
Pursuant to the direction of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, as found in Supreme Court Rule 20:3.6, Trial Publicly, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Last Update: Jun 22, 2018 9:49 am CDT
