MONROE — A veteran from the New Glarus area was sentenced to 36 months probation and deferred prosecution in Green County Circuit Court Monday, more than a year after he was arrested for allegedly firing a gun indiscriminately while drunk, prompting a police search for him near his rural property.

According to court records and District Attorney Craig Nolen, Paul Michael Anderson, 37, was convicted of five misdemeanor offenses and placed on probation for a period of 36 months.  

“He additionally plead(ed) guilty to a felony offense of 2nd Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety with the Use of a Dangerous Weapon, which offense was placed on a 36-month deferred conviction agreement,” Nolen said in an email following the acceptance of the plea agreement by Circuit Judge Faun Phillipson.

Among the misdemeanors he pleaded guilty to were disorderly conduct, operating a firearm while intoxicated, and second degree recklessly endangering safety.

The ordeal began just before 7 p.m., Wednesday May 17, 2023. That’s when The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a Veteran At Risk Green Alert for the defendant. Police cautioned the public to ‘shelter in place’ for a time while they looked for the suspect, who had reportedly been shooting, drinking, and menacing children on the property. 

Once police were called, he fled into the countryside.

“Deputies have worked throughout the night in conducting searches, processing evidence and conducting numerous interviews in response to an incident on Hay Hollow Rd. in York Township, first called in at 6:55 p.m. Wednesday night,” a statement issued after the search said.

Anderson was taken into custody the next day without incident.

Assisting agencies in the search and response to the incident included New Glarus Police, Monroe Police, Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office deputies and personnel from the Dane County Sheriff’s Office.