Leader Staff
Two men were charged Tuesday in connection with an armed home invasion in Wittenberg in which they allegedly intended to kidnap a young relative from his parents.
Paul M. Nueman, 59, and Benjamin D. Sheldon, 32 — both of Stacy, Minnesota — are each facing numerous felony counts, including attempted forceful abduction, armed burglary and reckless endangerment, as well as several weapons-related and drug-related charges.
The men arrived at a residence on Mission Street shortly before 9 a.m. Monday armed with a sawed-off shotgun and other weapons to demand custody of Nueman’s grandson, according to the criminal complaint.
The residents were Nueman’s daughter and son-in-law, who attempted to defend themselves with a crossbow, according to the complaint.
The complaint states Sheldon rushed the son-in-law and was able to get the crossbow away from him, after which he allegedly held a gun to his head. The complaint also alleges Nueman held a gun on his daughter when she tried to call police.
Nueman’s son-in-law was able to go upstairs at one point during the encounter and called 911.
According to the complaint, Nueman told the couple he would return and kill them if he didn’t get custody of the child.
Shawano County sheriff’s deputies arrived on scene as the men were getting back into their vehicles.
Deputies followed the vehicle a short distance until there was another squad on scene and conducted a traffic stop. The men surrendered without incident and were taken into custody.
Deputies found handguns on the men and numerous other weapons in the vehicle, according to the complaint, including a .380 caliber pistol, a .32 caliber Derringer pistol, a .357 revolver, sawed-off shotgun, a rifle with scope, a Ruger LC9 pistol, multiple boxes of ammunition and magazines, brass knuckles, a Smith and Wesson knife set, and several other knives.
Deputies also found a grinder and containers of suspected marijuana, along with smoking devices, according to the complaint.
Both men are charged with attempted forceful abduction of a child, which carries a maximum possible penalty of 20 years in prison and a $50,000 fine; armed burglary, a maximum 15 years in prison and a $50,000 fine; first-degree recklessly endangering safety, a maximum 12½ years and a $25,000 fine; intimidating a witness, a maximum 10 years and $25,000 fine; and possession of short-barreled shotgun, six years and a $10,000 fine.
Both are also charged with misdemeanor counts of possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, and Nueman also faces misdemeanor counts of carrying a concealed weapon for the brass knuckles allegedly found in his pocket.
Nueman and Sheldon were each ordered held Tuesday on $50,000 cash bonds after initial appearances before Shawano-Menominee County Circuit Court Judge William Kussel Jr. They are scheduled for adjourned initial appearances Monday.