Rothschild Man Sentenced for Stevens Point Homicide

Wednesday, December 4th, 2024 -- 10:00 AM

Portage County District Attorney Cass Cousins announced that Arlin Sangster, of Rothschild, has been sentenced to prison in connection to the March 15, 2024 homicide in downtown Stevens Point.

Arlin Sangster, 20, was convicted of First Degree Reckless Homicide and Theft following a four-day jury trial taking place in Portage County Circuit Court Branch 2 in August of this year.

Judge Louis Molepske imposed a twenty-five year prison sentence, comprising twenty years of Initial Confinement and five years of Extended Supervision.

Judge Molepske also imposed a concurrent jail sentence for theft, and required that Sangster pay the victim’s funeral expenses, among other conditions. Co-defendants Christian Emerson and Brandon Boehm’s criminal cases remain pending and will likely be tried to a jury in 2025.

The charges filed against these co-defendants are at this time remain allegations and each defendant enjoys the presumption of innocence until the charges are proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

At the December 3, 2024 sentencing hearing, embers of the victims family addressed the court and expressed their desire for a significant sentence. Family members emphasized how generous and kind the victim was, and their perception that Sangster lacked remorse for his actions in causing the victim's death.

Judge Molepske recognized the young age and lack of prior criminal record of the defendant, but also emphasized the brutality of the assault that lead to the victim’s deaths, including the number of bone fractures and injuries he sustained, and the harrowing trial testimony of eye witnesses that recounted the assault.

District Attorney Cass Cousins stated: “This incident cost one innocent man his life, devastated his friends and family, and significantly damaged our community’s sense of safety and security, especially for those living, working, or shopping in the downtown Stevens Point area."

"The cruelty and callousness with which this defendant treated another human being is hard for me to comprehend. It is such a tragedy that the victim lost his life is such a violent and unnecessary tragedy."

"I would like to recognize the tremendous efforts of the Stevens Point Police Department in investigating this case, identifying the perpetrators, and providing the basis for my office to prosecute these charges and obtain convictions, this result would not have been possible without their diligent efforts.”

The trial was prosecuted by Portage County District Attorney Cass Cousins and Assistant District Attorney Jed Dodge.

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