Wilson man pleads guilty to pair of felony charges

By Cara L. Dempski

MENOMONIE — A former Boyceville resident pleaded guilty to one count of burglary of a building or dwelling and one county of theft of movable property valued between $2,500 and $5,000 last Friday.

Zachary D. Morgan, age 32 of Wilson, entered his pleas during a December 15 hearing in front of Dunn County Circuit Court Judge Rod Smeltzer. The guilty pleas are in relation to an October 2015 burglary of a home in the Town of Tiffany and the November 2016 theft of items from a trailer in the Town of Stanton.

Morgan was in court for several different matters, including charges of forgery-uttering which are related to a 2016 case of counterfeit currency passed to several Boyceville businesses. Judge Smeltzer accepted the state’s recommendation to accept Morgan’s pleas and dismiss but read in the other four charges from the same case, and all charges from the other four cases.

While the other charges were dismissed, they are still being read in for the purpose of restitution.

Public Defender Greg Amman said during the plea hearing that Morgan has taken part in both drug and alcohol abuse treatment and mental health treatment. Morgan himself informed the judge he is employed by Lindus Construction.

Smeltzer noted the company owner, Adam Lindus, had sent the court a letter supporting the positive changes Morgan has made in the past year, and indicating his continuing support.

When questioned by Smeltzer about the number of positive changes Morgan has made, the Wilson man had a simple answer.

“Sobriety. I got sober,” he told the judge.

Smeltzer ordered a pre-sentence investigation before reminding prosecutor Andrew Maki, Amman and Morgan that Morgan’s bond had been modified to signature at a prior hearing; Maki had no objection to the bond remaining that way.

At the end of the hearing, the judge told Morgan to be proud of the changes he has made, and grateful for the chance to have made them.

Morgan’s sentencing hearing is scheduled before Smeltzer at 11 a.m. March 27, 2018.

Burglary of a building or dwelling is considered a class F felony in Wisconsin, and can be punished with a fine not more than $25,000, up to 12 years and six months in prison, or both. Theft of movable property valued between $2,500 and $5,000 is a class I felony and carries a penalty of a fine up to $10,000, no more than three years and six months in prison, or both.