Probation ordered for recklessly endangering safety

A Rice Lake man was sentenced to probation on Friday for recklessly endangering safety when he pointed a gun at his girlfriend’s roommate in their south side apartment.

A jury on Aug. 15 had found Kameron M. Van Erp, 18, guilty of second-degree recklessly endangering safety. He had been charged with the felony on Nov. 3 in Barron County Circuit Court. Additional misdemeanor charges were for intentionally pointing a firearm at a person, disorderly conduct, possession of THC and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The trial took a full day and featured testimony from several Rice Lake police officers as well as the defendant himself. The defense attempted after the trial began to have the felony dismissed, but Judge Samuel Lawson ruled against the motion.

At 5:38 p.m. the jury returned guilty verdicts for the felony plus for intentionally pointing a firearm at a person and disorderly conduct with use of a dangerous weapon.

Van Erp was sentenced to three years of probation for recklessly endangering safety, two years for intentionally pointing a firearm at a person and two years for disorderly conduct with use of a dangerous weapon. They are to be served concurrently.

Conditions of probation include that Van Erp undergo a domestic abuse assessment and comply with recommended follow-up treatment. He also may not possess or consume alcoholic beverages, or enter any premises where alcohol is sold. He may not possess or consume controlled substances or drug paraphernalia, and must undergo random UAs and PBTs.

Van Erp is not allowed to possess any firearms, and the firearm was ordered to be destroyed by the State Crime Lab.

Also charged in the same case was Liceidy Yoliann Figueroa Cruz, 18. She pleaded guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct and possession of marijuana, a forfeiture, on May 10. Judge J.M. Bitney imposed and stayed a jail term of 90 days and gave her one year on probation.