DARLINGTON — A Darlington man on probation for a misdemeanor conviction of intentional timber theft was arrested again on the same charge Nov. 22 for reportedly cutting down trees at a foreclosed property.
Jeremy Michael Mullen, 39, appeared Nov. 25 in Lafayette County Circuit Court on Class A misdemeanor counts of intentional timber theft with a value less than $2,500 and obstructing an officer, both as a repeat offender.
The criminal complaint, filed the same day, indicates Mullen cut down several trees at a foreclosed residence on Ohnstad Road earlier in November. A sign on the door of the property stated nobody was to be on the property and any violators would be trespassing.
Mullen told Lafayette County deputies he had permission from the maintenance worker working on the property to take all the wood that was down for firewood. Mullen also said he was not responsible for felling the trees. After deputies spoke with the maintenance worker, Mullen’s story reportedly changed and he said someone at Apple River State Bank told him he could cut down the trees.
Mullen was sentenced to probation March 27 after pleading no contest to cutting down five large Aspen trees at Bard Material’s Ruef Quarry just south of Darlington on County K, causing $1,785 in damage.
Conditions of his probation in that case include an alcohol-abuse assessment, participation in counseling, no drinking, no nonprescription controlled substances and no bars except for a specified Gratiot bar for employment purposes. He is also barred from any Bard Materials locations in Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois and Minnesota.
According to the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office, Mullen was arrested and jailed on charges related to the alleged Ohnstad Road timber thefts and for violating his probation at about 3 p.m. Nov. 22 on County K in Darlington.
Mullen’s signature bond is set at $1,500, with conditions that he have no contact with the Ohnstad Road address.
Judge Duane Jorgenson has recused himself from the case due to previous contact with Mullen while Jorgenson was in private practice. A Green County judge will likely replace Jorgenson.