January 3, 2014 at 5:28 p.m.
Former RHS teacher sentenced on drug, theft charges
Former RHS teacher sentenced on drug, theft charges
Joshua Juergens, 35, will be on probation for four years and spend another 31 days in jail as part of a sentence handed down by Forest County Circuit Judge Leon Stenz. Stenz followed the joint recommendation of Oneida County District Attorney Mike Schiek and Juergens' attorney, Mary Hogan. That agreement had Juergens entering guilty pleas Friday to two misdemeanor counts of theft, a misdemeanor count of possession of THC and a felony count of manufacturing/delivery of THC.
"Given all the circumstances we have what I feel is a reasonable solution," Schiek said.
Schiek said the root problem in the case is Juergens' drug addiction which he said goes beyond just the use of marijuana and included injecting prescribed narcotics. Schiek said Juergens is already addressing that problem through the 45-day treatment program at Koinonia and the terms of the sentence will continue that rehabilitation.
"I think we have identified the problem and will be able to take care of it through the supervision for four years," Schiek said. "That's enough time to determine if (Juergens) will take (his rehabilitation) seriously."
He said jail time is necessary to send a message to the community that there are consequences for the types of activities Juergens was engaged in. Schiek said he believes a total of 90 days behind bars should be sufficient and told the court he was willing to give Juergens credit for 59 days already served. That includes the time Juergens has spent in the Oneida County jail since being arrested in early November as well as the last 25 days he has been at Koinonia. That means Juergens will serve another 31 days in jail once he completes his treatment program on Jan. 22. Schiek noted that another punitive aspect of the sentence is that Juergens lost his job with the school district as a result of the charges and will now be a convicted felon.
Police began investigating Juergens on Nov. 5 when officers responded to a disorderly conduct complaint at a Pine Lake home. A woman accused Juergens of pushing her when she came to the residence to retrieve her keys and vehicle. Schiek said Friday additional information from that woman ultimately led investigators to seek a warrant to search the residence the following day. The woman had relayed information about possible drug abuse and items Juergens had that may have been stolen.
When investigators searched the home they discovered a 66-plant marijuana grow, several items believed to have been stolen from the high school, and a laptop computer belonging to a woman who conducted a staff training at the school on Sept. 9. They also found drug paraphernalia and several prescription medications.
Schiek said the theft allegations are connected to what he described as a very serious drug abuse problem. According to Schiek a pontoon boat and log splitter were located on the property that Juergens rented in the town of Pine Lake. Juergens sold both items to buy drugs, the prosecutor said.
"The major issue here is the drug problem," Schiek said. "He was doing anything to obtain money for drugs."
Schiek said all the property belonging to the school district was recovered as was the pontoon boat, but Juergens still owes restitution to the person who purchased the boat. In total, Juergens owes nearly $5,000 to victims.
Hogan said her client has recognized he has a drug problem and is working to turn his life around.
"He had an opiate addiction that spiraled out of control," she said. "The most important thing here is that he recognized he needed to take care of his addiction and he's doing that."
Hogan agreed with Schiek's recommendation of focusing on treatment and limiting the amount of additional time Juergens spends in jail. Juergens expressed remorse in a statement to the court.
"I would like to apologize to the community and the School District of Rhinelander," Juergens said. "My behavior was unacceptable and I take responsibility for it. Koinonia has given me the opportunity to learn how to rebuild myself. I'm grateful for what I still have that I've been able to keep together. I lost a lot - my job, friends I've made in the community. I will continue to work at treatment and gaining that trust back."
Judge Stenz followed the recommendation of attorneys for the length of probation and jail time but added a few more conditions. He ordered the restitution to be paid back within two years and 100 hours of community service to be completed in the next year.
"You are now a convicted felon," Stenz told Juergens. "You should have seen this coming. It takes a lifetime to build a reputation and only a second to lose it. Unfortunately, that's the position you've put yourself in."
While there is no indication Juergens' actions involved any students at the high school, Stenz noted that Juergens was in a position where he would have been looked to as a role model.
"There's nothing that suggests Mr. Juergens can't be rehabilitated, but the message also has to be sent that this behavior can't be tolerated in positions of authority and respect," Stenz said. "I think the agreement is appropriate under the circumstances."
Kyle Rogers may be reached at [email protected].
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