Charges Filed Against Two Following High-Speed Chase In Burnett County

BURNETT COUNTY — Criminal charges including fleeing an officer and receiving stolen property have been filed against two people following a high-speed chase in Burnett County.

On August 6, 2019 at around 12:25a, an Officer for the Grantsburg Police Department saw a red PT cruiser leave the Sinclair Gas Station in Grantsburg, WI. Shortly after that, the Officer saw the vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed on S. Pine Street before turning on West St. George while still traveling at a high rate of speed, according to the criminal complaint.

The Officer activated the squad car emergency lights however the vehicle did not respond but instead increased speed, eventually crossing Highway 70. The vehicle continued on to Russell Road, and the criminal complaint states that the Officer’s squad car was in pursuit at around 95 miles per hour, while the suspect vehicle continued to increase the gap between them.

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Shortly after that, the red PT Cruiser crashed into a ditch on the south side of Skog Road near the intersection of Skog Road and Russell Road. A female, identified as Kerissa Morrin, exited the driver’s seat, falling into the tall grass on the side of the road, despite Officer instructions to remain in the vehicle.

A Burnett County Sheriff’s Deputy arrived on scene to assist, and at that time a male passenger from the vehicle, identified as Jeremy Paulson, responded to Officer instruction and walked out of the ditch towards Law Enforcement while stating, “sorry guys, dumb move”.

Officers searched the vehicle and located a purse containing plastic gem baggies along with a small glass bubble pipe with white crystal residue and a white cut straw - both of which tested positive for methamphetamine.

Numerous items located inside the vehicle were identified as items reported as stolen in the afternoon of August 5. These items included a Jonsered chainsaw valued at approximately $400 and a Marcum fish camera valued at approximately $450.

Charges of Class I Felony Attempting to Flee or Elude an Officer, Class H Felony Bail Jumping (2 counts), Misdemeanor Receiving Stolen Property (<$2500) - Party to a Crime have been filed against Paulson who appeared for a hearing on August 29, 2019 while in custody. Paulson is scheduled to appear again in October 2019.

Paulson is also facing charges of Class H Felony False Imprisonment, Misdemeanor Domestic Battery, Misdemeanor Domestic Disorderly Conduct, Class I Felony Possession of Methamphetamine, Class H Felony Bail Jumping, Class I Felony Possession of Narcotic Drugs, and Misdemeanor Obstructing filed against him in four additional criminal cases in Burnett County Circuit Court. He is scheduled to appear again in October 2019 regarding those charges.

Morrin is facing charges of Misdemeanor Receiving Stolen Property (<$2500) - Party to a Crime (2 counts), and Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Morrin made an Initial Appearance regarding her charges on August 28, 2019, and is scheduled to appear again in October 2019.

Pursuant to the direction of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, as found in Supreme Court Rule 20:3.6, Trial Publicly, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.