Not guilty pleas entered in country club vandalism case

The Rhinelander 17-year-old charged in connection with a vandalism spree at the Rhinelander Country Club in late May has entered not guilty pleas to all charges.

 According to online court records, Landon M. Oldham-Schulte made an appearance in Oneida County Circuit Court on Friday, July 19 at which time he waived his right to a preliminary hearing and entered not guilty pleas to all charges. 

An initial criminal complaint, filed on June 3, charged him with felony burglary, felony theft, intentionally contributing to the delinquency of a minor (felony) and misdemeanor criminal damage to property. The burglary and theft charges are related to a separate incident involving a burglary at a local smoke ship.

On June 26, 15 new counts, including five felonies, were filed. The new charges include intentionally contributing to the delinquency of a minor (felony), three counts of taking/driving a vehicle (golf cart) without owner’s consent (all felonies), one count of criminal damage to property (felony), two counts of misdemeanor criminal damage to property, four counts of misdemeanor disorderly conduct and four counts of misdemeanor theft.

As the River News previously reported, Rhinelander police were called to the Rhinelander Country Club at approximately 6:14 a.m. Thursday, May 30 after several golf carts were found damaged in a suspected vandalism incident.

Several boats belonging to members were also damaged.

A total of six golf carts were damaged and one had to be retrieved from Boom Lake, according to club pro Kevin Schoppe.

According to the complaint filed on June 26, a total of 11 boats were damaged. Fire extinguishers were also discharged “leaving fire extinguisher powder all over the interior of the boats,” the complaint said. One fire extinguisher was also found in the lake.

In addition, the club reported two newly planted trees on Hole 1 and four sand trap rakes were damaged when the vandals rode golf carts over them. According to police reports attached to the complaint, Oldham-Schulte admitted that he and a juvenile hot-wired the carts and drove them around the golf course and Hodag Park.

The juvenile was referred to the Department of Social Services for adjudication.

Another man, Michael Anthony Youngs, 30, is facing charges with respect to the smoke shop burglary. He has also entered not guilty pleas.

Both men are due back in court in September.

Heather Schaefer may be reached at [email protected].