September 2, 2015 at 5:07 p.m.
Rhinelander man facing several weapons-related charges
Rhinelander man facing several weapons-related charges
Dustin J. LaPuma made his initial appearance Aug. 31 before Branch II Judge Michael Bloom on charges of armed burglary, attempted armed robbery, negligent handling of a weapon, three counts of disorderly conduct, resisting an officer, battery by prisoners, and misdemeanor bail jumping, all with the repeater enhancer.
According to the criminal complaint, just after 8 p.m. on Aug. 29, the alleged victim contacted 911 to report LaPuma was trying to break into his house and vehicle. While officers were responding to the alleged victim's location, he called back to say that LaPuma, who he knew from prior contact, had fled. A description of his vehicle was provided.
When a member of the Rhinelander Police Department arrived at the alleged victim's residence, he "observed the butt stock of a long gun on the grass in the front yard near the front entrance," according to his report. "The barrel and receiver portion of the long gun was near the driveway at the front of the residence." Upon closer inspection, the officer discovered the rifle was actually a BB gun.
The alleged victim told the officer that he was inside his residence when her heard "four or five loud bangs" at his front door. He said he thought someone was trying to kick the door in to gain entrance. When he opened the door, he said he was confronted by LaPuma, who initially had part of his face covered with a T-shirt and was allegedly brandishing a rifle toward his head and face. According to the police report, the alleged victim said he recognized LaPuma despite the mask.
The alleged victim said he grabbed the barrel of the rifle and wrestled with LaPuma for it. As the fight moved to the front lawn, the alleged victim struck LaPuma on the left side of the face with the rifle in self-defense, breaking the rifle, the report states. He momentarily restrained LaPuma on the ground and called 911, but LaPuma was able to escape and fled to a waiting vehicle. The alleged victim said he recognized the female driver of the vehicle from Facebook and identified her to the officer.
Police were called to the St. Mary's Hospital Emergency Room at about 9:45 that same evening when LaPuma sought treatment for "a significant injury on the left side of his head." He told police he had gone to the alleged victim's house to purchase marijuana and decided to rob him over an insult related to a prior transaction.
He attempted to leave the treatment room a couple of times but was stopped by officers, according to the report. Eventually he had to be restrained to the bed. He was eventually medically cleared and transported to the Oneida County Jail for booking.
At about 11:16 a.m. Aug. 30, LaPuma reportedly told jail staff that he had smuggled several prescription anti-anxiety pills into the jail and had taken them. When he was removed from his holding cell and searched, LaPuma allegedly punched a corrections officer in the face. Both the officer and LaPuma were taken to the emergency room for treatment. The corrections officer told an Oneida County detective that LaPuma punched him for no reason and without warning.
After it was determined that LaPuma was not suffering any ill effects from the pills he allegedly ingested, he was transported back to the jail.
At his Aug. 31 appearance, LaPuma asked Bloom about the repeater enhancers, saying he had not been convicted of some of the charges. Bloom explained to him that because of his past criminal convictions for misdemeanor offenses, the enhancer was added to the charges. The enhancer could add two additional years of prison time to each charge upon conviction.
Assistant district attorney Steve Michlig said because of the seriousness of the original charges, and the fact that the corrections officer has been off-duty due to his injuries, along with LaPuma's long criminal history, some cash bond was in order. Bloom agreed, and ordered a $10,000 cash bond in the case, even though LaPuma is on a probation hold.
He is scheduled for a adjourned initial appearance on Sept. 8 before Branch I Judge Patrick O'Melia, who is hearing two other open cases involving LaPuma.
Three of the charges LaPuma faces in the case - armed burglary, attempted armed robbery and battery by prisoners - are felonies with a combined possible maximum imprisonment of up to 41 years before the repeater enhancer is applied.
Jamie Taylor may be reached at jtaylor@ lakelandtimes.com.
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