Winnebago County supervisors pleads guilty to charges of bringing gun to meeting, being drunk

FOREST CITY — A Winnebago County supervisor has pleaded guilty to charges after bringing a gun to a meeting and being drunk.

63-year-old Michael Stensrud of Lake Mills pleaded guilty to the charges of carrying a firearm while under the influence and public intoxication.

Stensrud was charged on May 21st after law enforcement was called to the Winnebago County Courthouse in Forest City for a man who was possibly intoxicated. Stensrud was at a supervisors meeting at the time, with officers saying he smelled of alcohol and had a pistol in his right pocket. Court documents state that Stensrud’s blood alcohol level was above the legal limit.

Stensrud had a request to have his trial moved out of Winnebago County denied, then agreed to plead guilty as part of a plea deal in which prosecutors would recommend a deferred judgment and six month probation. Under the terms of a deferred judgment, if he completes the terms of his probation, the conviction would be removed from his record.

Stensrud is scheduled to be sentenced on January 24th.