Fredonia felon caught with guns sent to prison

A felon whose collection of guns, including an AR-15 rifle and a tactical shotgun, was found by deputies at his Town of Fredonia home in August was sentenced to four years in prison last week.

Ozaukee County Circuit Judge Sandy Williams also sentenced Brett A. Golke, 44,  to four years of extended supervision following his incarceration.

Golke pleaded guilty to two felony counts of possession of a firearm by a felon — the same crime he was convicted of in 1994 in Sheboygan County — during a Feb. 11 hearing in Ozaukee County. 

Deputies were called to Golke’s home on Highway A early Sunday, Aug. 18, after he began trashing the house, ranting about the government and yelling “get the guns,” according to the criminal complaint. 

When they arrived at about 12:40 a.m., deputies found Golke wearing only sweatpants and said he was covered in his blood and sweating profusely. Although calm as first, Golke began yelling incoherently about the government and said he would “fight with everyone ’til the last (expletive) bullet.”

Golke’s 18-year-old son, who lived at the house with Golke’s other two children, ages 12 and 16, and Golke’s girlfriend, told deputies that he was in the living room when his father came out of his bedroom screaming profanities and yelling “get the guns,” the complaint states.

Golke’s son said his father punched a wall and TV and flipped over an end table before grabbing him by the face and pushing him against a bunk bed.

Golke’s girlfriend told authorities that they were in bed when Golke began “freaking out.” When asked if he had been drinking or using drugs, she said no, but then admitted that she and Golke had smoked marijuana, the complaint states.

In the drawer of Golke’s nightstand, a deputy found a 9mm handgun. The AR-15 rifle and shotgun were leaning against the wall next to the bed, according to the complaint.

Felons are prohibited from owning firearms and, in cases of violent felonies, body armor for their lifetimes.

Golke also pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct.

A third firearms possession charge, as well as possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia charges, were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.