OCONTO COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) – Charges have been filed against the 50-year-old Lena man accused of firing at officers during a Sunday standoff at his home.
Prosecutors say Thomas Benser choked and threatened to kill his ex-girlfriend on Saturday.
She allegedly called police the following day, saying Benser sent her a voicemail where he threatened to kill himself and any cops who tried to arrest him.
Officers say Benser fired at them, with the standoff lasting roughly ten hours.
No details on how the standoff ended.
Benser faces 14 counts: Attempted First Degree Intentional Homicide (x5), First Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety (x5), Strangulation and Suffication, Substantial Battery, Failing to Comply with an Officer, and Disorderly Conduct. All charges except for the disorderly conduct are felonies.
If convicted on all counts, Benser faces more than 320 years in prison.
A $500,000 cash bond has been set. Benser is due back in court April 12.
