Court Sentences Man on Charges Stemming From Break-In at Spooner Business

WASHBURN COUNTY — A Shell Lake, WI man has been sentenced in Washburn County Circuit Court on his charges stemming from an incident at a Spooner, WI business in January 2018, during which the business owner held the man at gunpoint.

DrydenWire.com reported on January 25, 2018 (see below), that Jack Thompson, of Shell Lake, WI was facing criminal charges following an incident at Joe’s Trading Post located in Spooner, WI.

During that incident, the owner of Joe’s Trading Post held Thompson at gunpoint while waiting for law enforcement to arrive. In a statement to law enforcement, the business owner said that he was awoken by the sound of breaking glass, retrieved his firearm, and went to investigate. At that time, he found Thompson inside the business. He went on to say that upon telling Thompson to take anything he’d stolen out of his pockets, Thompson produced a revolver and a semi-automatic pistol. The owner told law enforcement that he was afraid of being shot by Thompson, and so told him to place the firearms on a nearby cabinet and empty his pockets. Thompson did so and then sat in a chair until officers arrived.

Thompson was charged with Felony Burglary, two counts of Felony Theft of a Firearm, and Misdemeanor Criminal Damage to Property. Online circuit court records show that Thompson appeared for a sentencing hearing on October 29, 2018. At an earlier hearing in August 2018, Thompson had entered pleas of no contest to an amended charge of Attempted Theft of a Firearm and Misdemeanor Criminal Damage to Property. Thompson’s other charges were dismissed but read in during that August hearing.

At the hearing on October 29, 2018 the Court sentenced Thompson to 3 years of probation. Conditions of Thompson’s probation were not listed in online circuit court records at the time of this post. Thompson will also be eligible for expungement.

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Charges Filed Against Man Who Was Held at Gunpoint by Spooner Business Owner

DrydenWire.com l Thursday, January 25, 2018

WASHBURN COUNTY — A Shell Lake, WI man has received felony charges in Washburn County Circuit Court following a recent burglary at a Spooner, WI business.

Jack Thompson, of Shell Lake, WI, is facing charges of felony burglary and 2 counts of felony theft of firearms along with a charge of misdemeanor criminal damage to property after allegedly burglarizing Joe’s Trading Post in Spooner, WI and stealing two firearms out of a display case.

A press release issued by the Spooner Police Department stated that on January 12, 2018, a burglary had occurred at a Spooner business, and the business owner had held the suspect at gunpoint. The press release went on to state that 2 firearms were stolen during the burglary, but that they were recovered, and the suspect was transported for medical care for injuries consistent with glass cuts.

According to the criminal complaint filed against Thompson in Washburn County Circuit Court, on January 12, 2018, Spooner Police Officers and Washburn County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a call of a burglary in progress at Joe’s Trading Post, located at 118 Ash Street, in Spooner, WI.

Washburn County Dispatch advised that the owner of Joe’s Trading Post was holding a suspect at gunpoint. The owner told officers that he was sleeping in the back of the store, and had woken to the sound of breaking glass, at which time he retrieved his firearm, and went to investigate. The owner saw a display case with the glass broken out of it, and an individual near it; who was identified as Jack Thompson.

When the owner of Joe’s Trading Post told Thompson to take what he’d stolen out of his pockets, Thompson allegedly removed a revolver and a semi-automatic pistol. The owner told officers that he was afraid of being shot by Thompson, so he told Thompson to place the firearms on a nearby cabinet and empty his pockets. Thompson did and then sat in a chair until law enforcement arrived.

The criminal complaint goes on to state that officers noticed a strong odor of intoxicants coming from Thompson, and that he was bleeding from his right arm. Thompson was taken to the Spooner Health emergency room for medical care.

If convicted of the charge of Class H Felony Burglary - Arming Self with Dangerous Weapon, Thompson could face a maximum penalty of imprisonment for not more than 15 years, a maximum fine of $50,000, or both. The maximum penalty on each count of Class H Felony Theft of a Firearm is imprisonment for not more than 6 years, a maximum fine of $10,000, or both.

Thompson is scheduled to make an Initial Appearance on his criminal charges later this month in Washburn County Circuit Court. It is not known to DrydenWire.com at this time if Thompson has been placed on any bail bond regarding these 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.

**Previous Post**

Spooner Business Owner Holds Burglar at Gunpoint Until Police Arrive

Friday, January 12, 2018 | Spooner Police Dept. l Press Release

Shortly after midnight on the morning of January 12, 2018, Officers from the Spooner Police Department and Washburn County Sheriff's Office responded to a burglary in progress at a Spooner Business. Officers arrived and found the business owner had the suspect held at gunpoint.

During the initial investigation, it was determined that forced entry had been made into the business through a window, and two firearms were taken. The firearms were recovered and the suspect was transported to the Spooner Emergency Room for injuries consistent with glass cuts.

The Spooner Police Department would like to thank the Washburn County Sheriff's Office for their quick response and assistance with the investigation. This case remains under investigation.