Rhinelander man bound over in meth-related human trafficking case

A 57-year-old Rhinelander man facing six counts of human trafficking was bound over for further proceedings following a preliminary hearing in Oneida County circuit court Thursday that featured testimony from a pair of sheriff’s office investigators.

John Leo Hildebrand was charged with the six felonies on Aug. 16. Progress in litigating the case was delayed due to difficulties in finding a public defender attorney to represent Hildebrand. On Thursday, attorney Brent DeBord served as defense counsel.

The state called two witnesses during the preliminary hearing, both members of law enforcement.

A task force investigator testified that the investigation began after an individual who was in custody of the probation and parole department asked to speak with law enforcement regarding human trafficking. The individual reported that Hildebrand had offered various quantities of methamphetamine in exchange for sexual acts. 

The investigator also described interviews with three other alleged victims, all of whom reported similar experiences with Hildebrand with respect to location and requests for sex in exchange for meth.

The second witness, a detective sergeant, recounted interviews with the other two alleged victims as well as Hildebrand’s arrests for possession of methamphetamine and felony bail jumping.

DeBord had no questions for the second witness but he did ask the first witness how law enforcement became aware of the existence of other alleged victims.

As the investigation broadened, individuals being interviewed shared the names of other individuals law enforcement should contact, the officer explained.

According to that complaint, one of the alleged victims told investigators they did not want to participate in sex acts with Hildebrand but they “cared more about meth than food or water.” 

The same individual also told police they felt as if they were selling their “soul” for meth.

After hearing from the officers, Oneida County circuit judge Mike Bloom found that their testimony  was sufficient to establish probable cause that Hildebrand committed multiple felonies. He then set arraignment for 3:30 p.m. Nov. 20.

Bloom then turned his attention to a defense motion requesting bond be reduced from $100,000 to $10,000.

Assistant district attorney Mary Sowinski opposed the motion.

“The strength of the state’s evidence is significant and strong with multiple victims testifying to similar acts,” she said. “The behavior of Mr. Hildebrand would suggest he cannot follow court orders which makes him not a great bet for coming back to court.”

She noted that Hildebrand has not cooperated with court-ordered monitoring and has failed to reside with a relative, after promising to do so to secure release from jail.

“He’s been arrested with methamphetamine in his possession multiple times and it would be the state’s contention that this is proof that the strength of his addiction is such that, even if well-intended, he cannot and will not be responsible in returning to court,” she added.

Finally, Sowinski noted that the state believes it can prove that Hildebrand has a history “taking horrible advantage of incredibly vulnerable victims” and suggested he is a potential threat to public safety.

Bloom denied the motion.

“$100,000 is a substantial amount of money but we have a situation here where, on the face of things, the evidence against the defendant is relatively straightforward,” the judge noted. “We have multiple alleged victims giving narrative information to law enforcement that is consistent with each other. So the state’s evidence is strong and when you look at this situation in the context of methamphetamine use, there’s no question that in the context of the public welfare that methamphetamine in Oneida County, the State of Wisconsin and elsewhere constitutes a genuine scourge.” 

“The facts of this case are unique in many ways,” the court continued. “The allegations are of conduct that is predatory, depraved, that constitutes exploitation of the destructive effects of methamphetamine and provide a very potent illustration of the dehumanizing effect of addictive drugs such as methamphetamine or opiate drugs or what have you. In other words, the totality of the circumstances, in my judgement, call for a high cash bond and for that reason the bond that was set shall remain until further order of the court.”

Human trafficking is a Class D felony carrying a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.

Heather Schaefer may be reached at [email protected].