Tim Ryan, tryan@wolfrivermedia.com
Two men accused of coming to Wittenberg in February with an arsenal packed in their vehicle to kidnap a relative pleaded no contest Wednesday to some of the charges against them on the day they were set for a jury trial.
Paul M. Neuman, 60, and Benjamin D. Sheldon, 32 — both of Stacy, Minnesota — are scheduled for sentencing on Dec. 17, pending the results of a pre-sentence investigation.
The men arrived at a residence on Mission Street shortly before 9 a.m. Feb. 9 armed with a sawed-off shotgun and other weapons to demand custody of Neuman’s grandson, according to the criminal complaint.
The residents were Neuman’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 Neuman held a gun on his daughter when she tried to call police.
Neuman’s son-in-law was able to go upstairs at one point during the encounter and called 911.
According to the complaint, Neuman told the couple he would return and kill them if he didn’t get custody of the child.
Shawano County sheriff’s deputies arrived 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.
Neuman pleaded no contest to felony charges of first-degree reckless endangerment, intimidating a victim with the threat of force and possession of a short-barreled shotgun, along with misdemeanor counts of carrying a concealed weapon and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
Felony counts of burglary and forceful abduction were dropped under the agreement.
Sheldon, who was originally charged with the same counts, pleaded to reckless endangerment and felony intimidation. The other counts were dropped.
Their sentences will be argued at the Dec. 17 hearing.
First-degree recklessly endangering safety carries a possible maximum sentence of 12 1/2 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.