Racine County man sentenced to 4.5 years for assault on warden in Forest County

In July of 2022, what started as a UTV being stopped for speeding left both a Department of Natural Resources (DNR) warden and another UTV rider injured. At approximately 9:37 p.m. on Friday, July 15, 2022, a DNR conservation warden conducted a traffic stop on Keith Siding Road in the town of Lincoln in Forest County. During that stop, another UTV came onto the scene parking between the first UTV and the warden. This UTV was driven by Mark A. Szczerba II 43, of Kansasville, Wis. The ATV driver who was pulled over for allegedly speeding was his daughter, who was not named in the complaint. 

The March 6, 2025 press release stated Szczerba brutally attacked the warden. The warden stated they feared for their life. The warden pulled their weapon and discharged their weapon, hitting Szczerba. Both the warden and Szczerba were transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The warden had been placed on administrative leave, as is DNR policy. The Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) was assisted in their investigation by the Forest County Sheriff’s Department and the Crandon Police Department. In November of 2022, the Forest County district attorney cleared the DNR warden of any criminal charges.

Szczerba ultimately pleaded guilty to battery of a law enforcement officer and attempted battery to a law enforcement officer. This week Forest County circuit court judge Leon D. Stenz sentenced Szczerba to 4.5 years initial confinement and 4.5 years of extended supervision. The Forest County District Attorney’s Office prosecuted this case with assistance from assistant atorney general Adrienne Blais.

Beckie Gaskill may be reached via email at [email protected].