FLORENCE, Wis. - Two men charged in separate felony cases in Florence County Court have been scheduled for jury trials.
Both men requested a substitute judge, as is allowed under Wisconsin law. Judge Patrick J. Madden of Iron County, Wis. will preside over the cases instead of Judge Leon D. Stenz of Florence County. The proceedings will still be held in Florence County.
Joseph Pete, 72, of Phelps, Wis. will have a jury trial on March 21.
He faces one felony count of operating while intoxicated-eighth offense and one felony count of operating with a prohibited alcohol concentration-eighth offense.
If convicted on both counts, Pete could spend up to 20 years in prison.
According to the criminal complaint in the case, Pete allegedly had a blood alcohol level of 0.196 while he was driving on State Highway 70 in Florence on Oct. 1.
Donald John Niemi, 36, of Aurora, Wis. will also have a jury trial on March 21.
He faces one felony count of possession of marijuana-second offense and one misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia.
If convicted on both counts, Niemi could spend up to three years and seven months in prison.
According to the criminal complaint in the case, deputies from the Florence County Sheriff's Department allegedly found marijuana and drug paraphernalia in Niemi's apartment on July 30 while they were investigating a different case.
Nikki Younk's e-mail address is nyounk@ironmountaindailynews.com.