Whitehall man sentenced to three years probation, restitution in Boyceville counterfeiting case

By Cara L. Dempski

MENOMONIE — A 33-year-old Trempealeau County man was sentenced to three years’ probation and $5,000 restitution in Dunn County Circuit Court last Friday.

Juan A. Campos of Whitehall appeared before Judge James Peterson June 9 for sentencing and a restitution hearing after pleading guilty to one count of forgery-uttering. His three years of probation, $5,000 restitution to Enterprise Rent-A-Car of Tempe, Arizona, and $528 in court fees are all part of a plea deal reached after Campos was charged with forgery in relation to a counterfeiting case in Boyceville.

Peterson indicated Campos’ probation period could be reduced to just two years if he could pay full restitution in that time span and his probation agent recommended it.

The initial agreement also included six months in the Dunn County Jail, with credit given for 165 days already served. Judge Peterson opted to alter that to immediate release, stating Campos had already served a significant portion of the time, and it did not seem necessary to keep him longer.

Assistant Dunn County District Attorney Andrew Maki indicated Campos made statements over the course of the investigation that he was fully aware a printer he purchased for Zachary Morgan of Boyceville was being used to produce counterfeit United States currency.

Maki detailed conversations between Campos and Morgan in which Campos was informed Morgan and his significant other, Lori Klund, were able to produce a variety of paper denominations since Morgan had learned how to recreate a security watermark via printer.

The prosecuting attorney also said Campos was provided with a cigarette pack of counterfeit bills at some point in his interactions with Morgan and Klund, and admitted to using some of the forged currency to pay for a drug transaction in Arizona. Maki noted the defendant seemed more intimidated by the people to whom he had given fake currency to pay for drugs than he is of legal authorities.

Maki also discussed dismissed charges of taking and driving a vehicle without the owner’s consent after Campos allegedly stole a rental car from an Arizona agency. Campos is alleged to have turned the vehicle over to Woodrow Piaskoski of Boyceville, who dismantled the car believing there to be drugs hidden somewhere inside the vehicle.

The prosecutor indicated the pre-sentence investigation report noted Campos presents as arrogant and cavalier in attitude at times.

The district attorney’s office also noted Campos’ former significant other, Cheryl Riebe, had indicated the defendant could become violent and had assaulted her several times in the past.

Defense attorney Richard Yonko countered Maki’s statements and the PSI, stating men of Campos’ heritage can often appear arrogant to someone not familiar with the cultural background. Additionally, he cited an incident during the defendant’s incarceration where Campos called jail staff’s attention to a fellow inmate who was attempting to hang himself in his cell.

“There’s no question he saved that guy’s life,” Yonko explained.

The $5,000 restitution payment ordered as part of sentencing is approximately one-third the value of the stolen vehicle. Campos and his attorney also agreed to paying $268 in court fees, $250 for mandatory DNA testing, and a $10 drug abuse surcharge. The defendant was informed the money was due within 60 days, or could be set up through a monthly payment plan.

Campos addressed the court prior to Peterson reading the sentence, stating his trust in the judge’s knowledge of the law and ability to give people the benefit of the doubt.

“I want to show you that I am grateful for the programs I was offered and am trying to change,” Campos said.

The defendant indicated he was shown education and compassion while in jail, and it made him want to improve on his situation in life.

“I apologize to the state of Wisconsin for the use of time and resources for something so petty,” Campos said.

Yonko presented Peterson and Maki with documentation of all jail programming Campos participated in during his 165 days in the Dunn County Jail. Campos said he is ready to pay his restitution, and has already created a payment plan that will allow him to do so.

While he seemed disappointed that probation will harm his ability to maintain 50 percent custody of his daughter, he assured Peterson he will be able to complete his full probation period without issue. He also informed Peterson he intends to maintain his sobriety and keep himself out of trouble in the hopes of someday serving as a mentor for other people in his position.

Peterson stated he did not feel Campos was being completely honest with him, but was willing to take a chance by putting him on probation and ordering restitution. He also praised Campos’ efforts to improve himself while incarcerated.

“You didn’t just sit there, you tried to better yourself,” Peterson said. “Your words and the way you carry yourself tell me you are very intelligent and have a great deal of potential.”

Campos was also ordered to not have contact with Zachary Morgan, Woodrow Piaskoski and Cheryl Riebe as part of his probation.