Man gets prison time for assaulting two women

A 35-year-old Saukville man was sentenced to three years in prison on Tuesday for choking his ex-girlfriend and sexually molesting another woman during a drunken episode in May.

Michael J. Viezbicke pleaded no contest to one count of strangulation and suffocation, a felony, and one count of fourth degree sexual assault, a misdemeanor. 

Ozaukee County Circuit Judge Joseph Voiland sentenced him to 18 months in prison on each count, to be served consecutively.

According to a criminal complaint, Viezbicke and a woman, with whom he has a child and has a long-running relationship, went drinking on May 12. Viezbicke became intoxicated and when they got into an argument outside a bar he grabbed her by the throat and pushed her against her car.

After she got home, Viezbicke knocked on her door and was let into the house. Another argument ensued and when she ordered him out of the house, he sexually assaulted the woman’s female cousin who was lying on a couch.
    Neither victim was in the courtroom Tuesday during sentencing or submitted written statements.

Viezbicke’s attorney Robert Olmr urged Voiland to give Viezbicke probation along with drug and alcohol rehabilitation rather than prison time, saying he and the first victim have “a long sordid history of substance abuse and relationship problems.”

Probation coupled with court-ordered rehab would put Viezbicke in a “sink or swim” situation in which he would face certain prison time if he failed, Olmr said.

Even before Olmr spoke, however, Voiland indicated he likely would not consider probation.

Viezbicke’s offenses “went beyond his relationship” with the first woman when he assaulted the other victim, Voiland said.        He also noted Viezbicke’s lengthy criminal record dating back to 2001, which includes two probation revocations, five bail jumping convictions and twice resisting arrest and obstructing police. He also was convicted of felony THC possession with intent to deliver in 2004. 

Viezbicke has been held in Ozaukee County Jail since the incident in May on a probation violation stemming from a 2017 case.

“I’m not convinced at all that Mr. Viezbicke  should be considered for probation,” Voiland told Olmr.    

Viezbicke’s mother, Paula Wendt, spoke on her son’s behalf, calling his relationship with the victim “very turbulent and toxic” and that she was most concerned about their child, her grandchild.

“I hope Michael’s sobriety will be sometime in his future,” she told Voiland.

Voiland also sentenced Viezbicke to two years extended supervision. Conditions of extended supervision include absolute sobriety, random testing for alcohol and drugs and no contact with the victims.

One count of disorderly conduct was dismissed but read into the record for sentencing purposes.