Two men each face multiple charges, more than $100,000 in fines and up to 56 years of incarceration for their alleged roles in several burglaries, including the burglary and vandalism of Fennimore High School last December.
Ryne D. Stanko, 20, Fennimore, and Dillon J. Potts, 18, Platteville, are each charged with four counts of burglary-building or dwelling, a class F felony; one count of criminal damage to property (over $2,500), a class I felony; three counts of criminal damage to property, a Class A misdemeanor; and three counts theft-movable property (less than or equal to $2,500), a Class A misdemeanor.
Each felony count carries a maximum sentence of  12 years and six months in prison, and a $25,000 fine. Each misdemeanor count carries a maximum sentence of nine months in jail and a $10,000 fine.
All counts include a PTAC [as a party to a crime] modifier. According to Wisconsin legislative documents, a person is concerned in the commission of the crime if the person:
• Directly commits the crime; or
• Intentionally aids and abets the commission of it; or
• Is a party to a conspiracy with another to commit it or advises, hires, counsels or otherwise procures another to commit it. Such a party is also concerned in the commission of any other crime which is committed in pursuance of the intended crime and which under the circumstances is a natural and probable consequence of the intended crime.
Stanko is scheduled to make his initial appearance before Grant County Circuit Court Judge Craig Day on Monday, Jan. 14. Stanko’s criminal complaint was filed Nov. 28, according to Wisconsin Circuit Court records.
Potts is scheduled to make his preliminary appearance before Day today (Dec. 20). Potts made his initial appearance and signed a $10,000 signature bond the following day.
A narrative filed with the criminal complaints against Stanko and Potts alleges both played a role in several burglaries, which began over a year ago.
The Liberty Mutual Insurance Office in Stitzer reported on Nov. 28, 2011 a break-in  that resulted in the theft of a safe. The safe, which weighed in excess of 200 pounds, was recovered near Blue River.
Fennimore High School was burglarized during the early morning hours on Friday, Dec. 9, 2011. Many items were stolen and the school was vandalized, according to the criminal complaint.
The narrative alleges Stanko, Potts and a third suspect gained roof access to the high school and entered through a window above the choir room.
After gaining entry, Stanko, Potts and the third suspect entered classrooms, stole items and vandalized some rooms, according to the criminal complaint.
The burglars allegedly gained access to the high school’s technology education room and stole a cordless drill, which was used to gain access to additional rooms.
Bolt cutters were used to break into lockers and steal bookbags. Laptops, computer hard drives, cash from the office safe, student medication, electronic scales, snacks from the kitchen and more were stolen, according to the criminal complaint.
The Golden Eagle at the center of the gymnasium floor was vandalized as well.
Stanko and Potts allegedly were part of burglaries to cabins on Castle Rock Creek Road in Castle Rock Township in early January this year, as well as a burglary at Hickory Grove Golf Course on July 24.