A few criminal cases came before Judge Karin Noakes in Custer County District Court on Thursday, August 21st.
Ethan A. Walker, age 41 of Oconto, appeared for arraignment in two separate cases. The first case stems from charges this past June. Walker is charged on three counts: 2nd degree domestic assault, a Class IIIA felony; making terroristic threats, a Class IIIA felony; and child abuse, a Class I misdemeanor. Walker pleaded not guilty to all counts and a jury trial was set for October 20th.
The second case against Walker is from his arrest on August 7th. In that case, Walker is charged with one count of possession of a controlled substance-heroin, and a second count of possession of a controlled substance-methamphetamine. Walker also pleaded not guilty to those charges. Judge Noakes set an October 20th jury trial for that case as well. A request to reduce Walker’s bond from $25,000 with a 10% privilege to $10,000 with 10% privilege was denied.
Christina M. Page, 45 of Miller, appeared for sentencing on charges of probation violation. In March of 2023, Page was placed on four years’ probation after being found guilty of an unauthorized use of a financial transaction device, a Class IV felony. At that time, she was also ordered to pay restitution to the harmed institutions. After reviewing a presentence investigation report that was submitted earlier this year and hearing from the County Attorney as well as the defense attorney, Judge Noakes sentenced Page to six months in the Custer County Jail with credit for 53 days previously served. Page was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $2,818, pay court costs and fees, and will be placed on post-release probation for 12 months.
Appearing by Zoom for a hearing was Vikki Stamm, attorney for Adam J. Schaefer. On July 3rd, Schaefer was sentenced to a period of 15 to 20 years in prison after pleading no contest to the charge of intentional child abuse resulting in injury. The case stems from injuries suffered by Schaefer’s 15-day old son last October. An appeal has been filed in the case and Stamm requested a stay of sentence pending the review of the case. Judge Noakes denied the motion due to the nature of the crime.
