Waukesha standoff: Man sentenced to 4 years in prison
Paul Neilson
WAUKESHA, Wis. - A Waukesha man, convicted on multiple charges related to an hours-long standoff that happened last year, was sentenced to prison.
Prison sentence
In Court:
Prosecutors charged 63-year-old Paul Neilson with four felonies and two misdemeanors in 2024. A jury found him guilty of three felonies and one misdemeanor – and not guilty of the remaining counts – earlier this month.
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On Monday, a Waukesha County judge sentenced Neilson to four years in prison and four years of extended supervision.
Tactical response
The backstory:
The standoff and tactical situation unfolded at a home near Moreland and American on Oct. 5, 2024. The Waukesha Police Department said officers were initially called to the home for a domestic violence incident.
Police tried negotiations, tactical means and even tear gas pumped into the house for two hours. But court filings said he barricaded himself inside the home. Investigators said there was junk piled "five feet high" – and police said Neilson even texted one of the negotiators to "stop harassing him."
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A drone located Neilson in his basement. Prosecutors said he intentionally made it difficult for officers to get him. Nothing worked until a K-9 was sent in and bit Neilson on the arm, police said, which ultimately got him to surrender.
Investigators also said Neilson threatened to kill a woman in his house, and the woman told police that Neilson tried to run her over.
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The Source: FOX6 News referenced information from the Wisconsin Circuit Court, as well as prior coverage of the case that included information from the Waukesha Police Department and Waukesha County District Attorney's Office.