FORMER STATE TROOPER CONVICTED IN MARQUETTE COUNTY THEFT

MONTELLO - On Thursday December 18, 2008 a Marquette county jury, after deliberating approximately 1 hours returned two guilty verdicts against a former Wisconsin State Trooper. The defendant, Christopher Becker, had been charged with stealing a John Deere Skidsteer and a utility Trailer from Faivre Implement on October 17, 2007. The crime was discovered when the defendant had an accident, while pulling the Skidsteer, on I-39 about 1 mile south of Westfield.

The defendant had claimed that he had rented the skidsteer and trailer from a Faivre Implement employee, but no employee was working and the business was closed when the defendant took the skidsteer.

The case was initially investigated by the Marquette County Sheriffs Department, but when it appeared the defendant may be a suspect, the investigation was taken over by the Wisconsin State Department of Justices Division of Criminal Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Marquette County District Attorney, Richard J. Dufour. The defendant was convicted of two counts of Felony Theft, one count of theft of property with a value in excess of $10,000, a Class G Felony with a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and a $25,000 fine for the theft of the skidsteer and one count of theft of property in excess of $2,500, a Class I Felony with a maximum penalty of 3 years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine.

Sentencing has been set for March 18, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. in Marquette County Circuit Court. Questions concerning this case should be directed towards Marquette County District Attorney Richard J. Dufour at 608-297-3020 or at (608) 297-2452.