WASHBURN COUNTY -- Felony charges have been filed against a Spooner, WI man after a recent incident during which he allegedly nearly struck a law enforcement officer with a vehicle and then fled the scene.
Michael E. Stoner, Jr., of Spooner, WI, is facing felony charges after an incident that occurred on July 24, 2020.
A Washburn County Sheriff’s Deputy was conducting a traffic stop in the area of Highway 70 and Plainview Road just before 11:00 PM. The Deputy noticed a truck with loud diesel exhaust was approaching. The truck accelerated past the Deputy, with only 2-3 feet of clearance. The Deputy noted the license plate number; ended the traffic stop; and engaged in pursuit of the diesel truck.
The diesel truck was travelling eastbound on Highway 70, when it made an illegal U-turn in the area of County Highway O and started travelling westbound on Highway 70. The truck’s lights were turned off, then back on again, and when the truck approached the area of Plainview Road again, the lights were turned off again.
The Deputy saw the truck drive into a residence off Highway 70, which was identified as the residence of Michael E. Stoner, Jr. The driver exited the truck; the Deputy had his firearm drawn and shouted multiple times for the driver to stop; however, the driver continued to run.
Additional law enforcement officers were dispatched to provide assistance with the search for the driver of the vehicle. The driver was visually located in a wooded area near the residence; but did not obey Officer directions, instead fleeing on foot further into the woods. The driver was apprehended a short time later after a pursuit of about 20 yards, and was identified as Michael E. Stoner, Jr., according to a criminal complaint filed in Washburn County Circuit Court.
Stoner, Jr. submitted to a preliminary breath test which provided a result of 0.234 according to a criminal complaint filed against him.
Charges filed against Stoner, Jr. include Class G Felony Second Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety, Class I Felony Attempting to Flee or Elude an Officer, Misdemeanor Resist Officer - Failure to Stop Vehicle, Misdemeanor Obstructing an Officer, and Misdemeanor Resisting an Officer.
At at a recent hearing the Court placed Stoner, Jr. on a $1,000 cash bond with $10,000 Signature bond. Conditions of bond will require Stoner, Jr. to maintain absolute sobriety.
Stoner, Jr. appeared most recently for an adjourned initial appearance on August 17, 2020, while in custody, and is scheduled to appear again in October 2020 for a preliminary examination hearing.
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: Aug 21, 2020 6:49 am CDT
