A Siren, WI man has been sentenced in Burnett County Circuit Court on his criminal charges stemming from the January burglary of the Siren Laundromat.
BurnettWire.com reported in February 2018 that James Keller, of Siren, WI, was facing charges of Burglary of a Building or Dwelling, Criminal Damage to Property, and Possession of Burglarious Tools following the investigation into the January burglary of the Siren Laundromat.
During the course of the investigation into the burglary, Keller was identified from surveillance video as the individual who forced open a door at the laundromat and attempted to remove a change machine from a wall at the laundromat.
According to online circuit court records, Keller appeared on June 21, 2018 for a plea hearing in Burnett County Circuit Court and entered a plea of Guilty to a charge of Misdemeanor Theft of Movable Property (amended down from the original charge of Felony Burglary), along with pleading guilty to his charge of Misdemeanor Criminal Damage to Property. Keller’s charges of Felony Possession of Burglarious Tools and Misdemeanor Possess Drug Paraphernalia were dismissed but read in by the Court.
Keller has been ordered to pay over $800 in restitution to the Siren Laundromat. The Court ordered a withheld sentence of 1 year of probation for Keller. Conditions of Keller’s probation will require him to maintain gainful employment, participate in a Victim Impact Panel, maintain absolute sobriety, and work on his GED.
**Original Post**
Siren Man Charged in Alleged Burglary of Siren Laundromat
Friday, February 9, 2018 | DrydenWire
A Siren man has been charged in the alleged burglary of the Siren Laundromat on Sunday, Jan. 21.
James David Keller, 22, received three charges related to that event and a fourth charge that occurred as a result of a search that officers conducted at Keller’s residence.
Charges related to the laundromat incident include Burglary of a Building or Dwelling, Criminal Damage to Property, and Possession of Burglarious Tools.
On Monday, Jan. 22, Burnett County Sheriff’s Department notified the Village of Siren Police Department it had received a report of a burglary at the Siren Laundromat. The deputy reviewed surveillance video taken of events Sunday morning inside the laundromat but did not recognize the suspect.
The report states the subject was first on camera at 7:20a. At 7:38a the subject moved the surveillance camera positions, then sat in the chairs in the laundromat on the highway side to the building. At 8:24a, the subject stood and removed an item from under his coat and walked toward the change machine. The deputy said the framing around the change machine had been pried off in an attempt to remove the machine from the wall, and the office door was forced open.
Siren Police reviewed surveillance video and, according to the criminal complaint, recognized the suspect as James David Keller of SIren.
After obtaining a search warrant, four officers from multiple jurisdictions want to the suspect’s home on Tuesday, Jan. 23. Keller answered their knock on the door and admitted the officers to the home.
The officers allegedly located several items of burglarious tools at Keller's residence which were taken as evidence, including a hammer, a blue pry tool which had sheetrock dust on it, a screwdriver, a flat type chisel, a purple style chisel which Keller stated was his ice pick for ice fishing.
Officers also located a multi-colored glass marijuana pipe on the kitchen counter which had the odor of burnt marijuana. This item did test positive for THC, and a pill container which also had the odor of marijuana.
The items were labeled and sealed at the Siren Police Department. Keller was informed he was under arrest for the charges of burglary, criminal damage to property and possession of burglarious tools. He was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.
The burglary charge is a Class F Felony, and upon conviction may be fined not more than Twenty Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000), or imprisoned not more than twelve (12) years and six (6) months, or both.
The charge of possession of burglarious tools charges is a Class I Felony, upon conviction carries a fine not more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000), or imprisoned not more than three (3) years and six (6) months, or both.
The charge of criminal damage to property is a Class A Misdemeanor which, if convicted carries a fine of not more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000), or imprisoned not more than nine (9) months, or both.
Possession of drug paraphernalia is a Misdemeanor, and upon conviction may be fined not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500), or imprisoned for not more than thirty (30) days, or both. Further, the court may suspend the defendant's operating privileges for not less than six (6) months nor more than five (5) years. If the defendant's driving privileges are already suspended, any suspension imposed must be served consecutively.
Keller appeared for a bail bond hearing in Burnett County Circuit Court on January 24, 2018 and was placed on a $5,000 signature bond. One condition of Keller's bond prohibits him from being in possession of any tool which could be used in a burglary. He was also ordered to have no contact with the Siren Laundromat Facility.
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 28, 2018 10:14 am CDT
