BARRON COUNTY -- The Court has sentenced a man on convictions stemming from a January 2021 incident during which he fled from law enforcement in the City of Chetek.
DrydenWire published a post on January 25, 2021, stating that Kiel Gowin had been taken into custody following a pursuit in which he fled from Barron County Sheriff’s Department squad cars and Chetek Police Department squad cars.
The Barron County Sheriff’s Department received a call at around 3a on January 24, 2021, from a woman stating that she was being stalked and chased by an ex-boyfriend. Law enforcement located the suspect vehicle, however, it failed to stop for the officer and a short pursuit ensued. The vehicle was not stopped at that time. The Sheriff’s Department received another call a short time later from the same woman stating that the vehicle was in front of her house, doing donuts. Law enforcement responded and engaged in another short pursuit of the suspect vehicle during which the suspect vehicle struck squad cars, causing damage. A Sheriff’s Deputy utilized a pit maneuver to stop the suspect vehicle and Gowin was taken into custody.
Online circuit court records show that Gowin was charged with Class I Felony Vehicle Operator Flee/Elude Officer; two counts of Class I Felony Criminal Damage to Property (Over $2500); Misdemeanor Domestic Disorderly Conduct; Operating While Intoxicated 1st Offense; Operating With Prohibited Alcohol Concentration 1st Offense; Fail/Stop at Stop Sign; Operating a Motor Vehicle Without Insurance; and Non-Registration of a Vehicle.
Gowin’s court case was scheduled for a Jury Trial in September 2021, however, at a hearing on August 27, 2021, the Court accepted a plea Guilty from Gowin to his charges of Class I Felony Vehicle Operator Flee/Elude Officer; Misdemeanor Domestic Disorderly Conduct; and Operating While Intoxicated 1st Offense. The remaining charges filed against Gowin were dismissed.
On November 17, 2021, Gowin appeared for a sentencing and restitution hearing in Barron County Circuit Court.
The Court ordered withheld sentences for Gowin on his criminal convictions, with 3 years of probation and 90 days of conditional jail time for his conviction of Class I Felony Vehicle Operator Flee/Elude Officer and 1 year of probation for his conviction of Misdemeanor Domestic Disorderly Conduct.
Conditions of probation will require Gowin to successfully complete any and all evaluations, counseling and treatment ordered by the Department of Corrections including an Alcohol and Other Drug Assessment.
Gowin will also be prohibited from possessing or consuming any alcohol or going onto any premises where alcohol is sold. For the conviction of Operating While Intoxicated 1st Offense, Gowin will pay nearly $1,000 in fines and costs and his driver’s license will be revoked for a period of 8 months.
Online court records also show that the Court found Gowin responsible for nearly $4,000 in restitution for insurance costs and damages to the squad cars.
Last Update: Nov 19, 2021 12:37 pm CST
