WASHBURN COUNTY -- A 27-year-old Spooner, WI man has plead to his charge of Felony Child Enticement - Give/Sell Drugs as well as a charge of Felony Possession of THC (Marijuana) 2nd+ Offense.
According to online circuit court records, Richard Priesgen appeared in Washburn County Circuit Court on August 10, 2018, and entered pleas of No Contest to his charges of Class D Felony Child Enticement-Give/Sell Drugs, and Class I Felony Possession of THC (2nd + Offense).
Priesgen was charged following an investigation by the Spooner Police Department in which the Department utilized a “sting” investigation. DrydenWire.com reported in May 2017 (see below), that the Spooner Police Department had received reports that Priesgen was sending sexually inappropriate messages to an underage female.
According to the criminal complaint filed against Priesgen, a fictitious Facebook account was created through which a police officer communicated with Priesgen, presenting as a 15-year-old female. Priesgen allegedly sent a series of sexually inappropriate messages to the individual who was presented as being an underage female.
A meeting was arranged with Priesgen, and the criminal complaint states that he came to the meeting place with a ziplock bag containing marijuana and a pipe for smoking marijuana.
The Court revoked Priesgen’s bail bond at the time of his hearing on August 10, and a sentencing hearing has been scheduled for October. Other charges filed against Priesgen, including Class C Felony Use of a Computer to Facilitate a Child Sex Crime and Class D Felony Child Enticement-Sexual Contact, were dismissed at the time of his plea according to online circuit court records.
Priesgen faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in state prison for his conviction of Class D Felon Child Enticement-Give/Sell Drugs, and 3 years confinement in state prison for his conviction of Class I Felony Possession of THC (2nd + Offense).
**Previous Post Below**
Spooner Man Demands Jury Trial on Charges of Computer Use to Facilitate Child Sex Crime
Friday, June 1, 2018 | by Ben Dryden
A Jury Trial has been scheduled in August 2018 for a Spooner man charged in Washburn County Circuit Court with using a computer to facilitate a child sex crime and child enticement.
DrydenWire.com reported in May 2017 (see below) that Richard Priesgen, of Spooner, WI, was facing charges following a ‘sting’ investigation conducted by the Spooner Police Department. A criminal complaint filed against Priesgen states that the Spooner Police Department had received reports that Priesgen was sending sexually inappropriate messages to an underage female.
Numerous hearings have been held regarding Priesgen’s criminal case in Washburn County since the last update was posted by DrydenWire.com with the most recent hearing on May 30, 2018 at which time Priesgen renewed his demand for a Speedy Trial. The Court scheduled a Jury Trial to be held in August.
The criminal complaint filed against Priesgen in Washburn County Circuit Court states that a fictitious Facebook account was created by Spooner Police Officers, who then communicated with Priesgen via that account, presenting as a 15-year old female.
Priesgen told the female that she was ‘so young’ and that he ‘could get in so much trouble for talking’ to her, however, he then allegedly proceeded to escalate the conversation to a sexual nature, sending her sexually inappropriate images and statements.
A meeting was arranged between Priesgen and the female, and the criminal complaint states that Priesgen came to the meeting place with a ziplock bag containing marijuana and a pipe for smoking marijuana.
Online circuit court records show that Priesgen is charged with Class C Felony Use of a Computer to Facilitate a Child Sex Crime, Class D Felony Child Enticement-Sexual Contact, Class D Felony Child Enticement-Give/Sell Drugs, Class I Felony Possession of THC (2nd+ Offense), and Misdemeanor Possess Drug Paraphernalia. All of the charges filed against Priesgen include the Repeater penalty modifier which means that if convicted, the Court could order a more severe penalty for Priesgen.
The charge of Use of a Computer to Facilitate a Child Sex Crime is a Class C Felony, punishable upon conviction by maximum confinement of not more than 40 years in state prison. Child Enticement is a Class D Felony and a conviction would result in maximum punishment of not more than 25 years in state prison. Felony Possession of Marijuana (2nd Offense) is a Class I Felony, punishable upon conviction by imprisonment for not more than 3 years in state prison. Conviction of Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia carries a maximum penalty of not more than 30 days in jail.
In a separate case, Priesgen is facing criminal charges in Chippewa County Circuit Court for Class H Felony Bail Jump, Class I Felony Possession of THC (2nd+ Offense), Misdemeanor Possess Drug Paraphernalia, and Misdemeanor Possess/Illegally Obtained Prescription. Details of that case are not known to DrydenWire.com at this time.
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 Below**
Spooner Man Appears on Charges of Using Computer to Facilitate a Child Sex Crime
Wednesday, May 24, 2017 | by Ben Dryden
According to public record Richard Priesgen, of Spooner, WI, appeared in Washburn County Circuit Court today May 24, 2017, for a preliminary examination hearing on his Felony charges which were recently filed.
DrydenWire.com reported on May 18, 2017 (see below) that Priesgen is facing charges of Felony Use of a Computer to Facilitate a Child Sex Crime, and Felony Child Enticement, along with Felony Possession of Marijuana and Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia following an investigation by the Spooner Police Department in which he allegedly attempted to meet with an underage female for sexual purposes.
The court heard testimony from a Spooner Police Officer regarding the charges and found that there is probable cause to bind Priesgen over for trial.
Public record also shows that Priesgen's defense attorney submitted an application for a substitution of judge in this case. No future court date is listed at the time of this post.
The Sheriff's Office also confirmed that Priesgen remains in custody at the Washburn County Jail.
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.
***Original Post Below***
Spooner Man Charged With Use of Computer to Facilitate Child Sex Crime
Thursday, May 18, 2017 | by Ben Dryden
A Spooner man has been charged in Washburn County Circuit Court with Felony Use of a Computer to Facilitate a Child Sex Crime, and Felony Child Enticement, along with Felony Possession of Marijuana and Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
According to the criminal complaint, Richard Priesgen, 26 years of age, utilized Facebook Messenger to communicate with a female who told him that she was 15 years old. The criminal complaint states that Spooner Police Department received reports that Priesgen may be sending sexually inappropriate messages to an underage female.
Officers created a fictitious Facebook account of a female who then became 'friends' on Facebook with Priesgen. On April 29, 2017, Priesgen was engaged in a Facebook messenger conversation with this 'female', in which she told Priesgen she was 15 years old. While Priesgen initially told the female she was 'so young' and that he 'could get in so much trouble for talking to' her; he quickly escalated the conversation to a sexual nature.
The criminal complaint states that in one message Priesgen sent to the female he included a photo depicting a naked male and female in 9 different sexual positions with a heading that says: “Pick 3 (3 only) put them in the order you'd want them ;-)”. Additional messages from Priesgen included the statements, “that's why I wish you were 18 already”; “I'll teach you”; and “I'd love to F**K YOU”.
The female and Priesgen ultimately agreed to meet behind the Buckhorn Bar, located in Spooner, WI. Priesgen reportedly chose that location, telling the female that they cannot be seen together in public, and that they needed to meet somewhere “secluded” and that she should not bring anyone with her. Priesgen stated he was already there waiting for her.
Spooner Police Officers went to the location at around 9 PM on April 29, 2017, and located Priesgen behind the Buckhorn Bar. He was arrested for Child Enticement. During a search of Priesgen, officers located a pouch in his coat pocket which contained a ziplock bag containing marijuana and a pipe for smoking marijuana.
The charge of Use of a Computer to Facilitate a Child Sex Crime is a Class C Felony, punishable upon conviction by maximum confinement of not more than 40 years in state prison. Child Enticement is a Class D Felony, a conviction would result in maximum punishment of not more than 25 years in state prison. Felony Possession of Marijuana (2nd Offense) is a Class I Felony, punishable upon conviction by imprisonment for not more than 3 years in state prison. Conviction of Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia carries a maximum penalty of not more than 30 days in jail.
The Washburn County District Attorney's Office filed these charges against Priesgen with Repeat Offender Enhanced Penalties attached; the criminal complaint states the Enhanced Penalties are attached due to Priesgen having multiple prior criminal convictions and that these Enhanced Penalties could increase any sentence Priesgen may receive if convicted of 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.
Last Update: Aug 14, 2018 9:42 am CDT
