STEVENS POINT, Wis. (WSAU) – A Stevens Point man who robbed two gas stations in September at knifepoint to fuel his drug addiction will spend the next five years in prison.
Portage County Judge Thomas Flugaur also sentenced Nicholas Weisenberger on Monday to five years on extended supervision. The 23-year-old Weisenberger must remain sober, avoid contact with the victims and pay nearly $1,500 in restitution. He must also write an apology letter.
“Even though the drug addiction was the reason I committed the robberies, it is by no means the excuse,” Weisenberger said, apologizing to the victims and the community. “I am disappointed in myself.”
Weisenberger admitted robbing the Westisde Mobil on September 4th and the Southside BP on September 8th. He also tried to rob Emy J's on September 8th but a clerk refused to give him the money and Weisenberger left.
“One really can't imagine what kind of terror that would cause,” district attorney Tom Eagon said in describing the impact Wesienberger's robberies had on the community.
Eagon said his office has noticed more crimes fueled by drug addicts looking for money to feed their habit. “He's lost everything he's owned because of his drug use,” he said of Weisenberger.
Weisenberger made a bad choice but the sentence will help treat his drug addiction, defense attorney Stephen Sawyer said. Weisenberger began using marijuana when he was 14 and also used cocaine, LSD, ecstasy and prescription medicine.
“Today is not one of his successes – it's his low point,” Sawyer said of his client outside court. “He's got an uphill battle but I think he's the kind of guy who will make it.”
