JEFFREY PAUL

IRON MOUNTAIN — A Wausau, Wis., man will spend 48 months to 10 years in prison for fleeing law enforcement and then firing a rifle.

Jeffrey Lee Paul, 32, was sentenced May 7 in Dickinson County Circuit Court after earlier pleading no contest on the felony charges of weapons-firearms-discharge from vehicle, police officer-fleeing-third degree-vehicle, assault with a dangerous weapon and the misdemeanor charge of operating-license suspended, revoked or denied. As part of the plea agreement a charge of weapons-felony was dropped.

On July 22, 2022, Paul was stopped by a Department of Natural Resources conservation officer in Breitung Township while operating an ORV with expired registration. Paul initially stopped the ORV and provided the conservation officer with a false name. He then pointed a rifle at the conservation officer as he fled. After losing control of the ORV and colliding with the conservation officer’s vehicle, Paul shot himself in the head.

He was found competent to stand trial Aug. 28.

Paul’s attorney, Daniel Jaspen, stated that the biggest factor in the case was Paul’s mental health issues and asked that Paul be afforded whatever mental health treatment the prison system can provide him with.

Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Kristin Kass said that law enforcement officers have a dangerous job and it is dangerous because of people like Paul. Kass asked Circuit Court Judge Mary Barglind to include restitution as part of the sentencing.

In handing down her sentence, Barglind noted a crime Paul was not convicted of but entered into the presentencing report which she did consider for sentencing purposes. Barglind noted that Paul also had one prior felony conviction, 17 misdemeanor convictions, and a long psychiatric and substance abuse history.

“It is always difficult to weigh the need for punishment, rehabilitation, protecting society and deterring others when you have a situation that has contributed to an individual’s deteriorating mental health combined with substance abuse,” Barglind said.

Barglind sentenced Paul to 48 months to 10 years on the weapons-firearms-discharge charge. Paul also received 12 month sentences on the police officer-fleeing-third degree-vehicle and assault with a dangerous weapon charges and 93 days for operating-license suspended, revoked or denied.

In addition, Paul was also ordered to pay $2,580.03 in restitution.

Paul received 634 days credit for time served and all sentences will run concurrently.

Jim Paul can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 229, or jpaul@ironmountaindailynews.com.