Men accused of bringing assault-style rifles to Homestead High School bound over for trial

An Ozaukee County Circuit judge on March 6 bound over for trial the two men accused in early February of bringing a cache of loaded guns — including assault-style rifles — to Homestead High School.

Court records indicate that on the same day Sturgeon Bay residents Willard Hartman and Benjamin Krohn waived their right to a preliminary hearing. Judge Joseph Voiland accepted the waivers and scheduled May 8 arraignments for both men, who are free on separate $5,000 cash bonds.

Hartman and Krohn, both 19, are facing a combined 25 criminal charges for allegedly possessing firearms on school grounds, illegally carrying concealed weapons and possession of drugs and related paraphernalia.

According to a criminal complaint, police discovered the guns and drugs after pulling Hartman over at about 3:44 p.m. Feb. 10 — four days before a shooter killed 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida — for making an illegal U-turn at West Mequon Road and North River Trail.

An officer reportedly smelled marijuana while speaking with the men, and subsequently searched Hartman's car, in which he found five guns — three assault-style rifles and two handguns — all but one with loaded magazines.

The complaint did not specify whether the men brought the guns into the school with them.

Krohn, who said the guns belonged to him, reportedly told police he and Hartman were there watching a basketball game. He said in the complaint that he brought the guns "in case he wanted to trade or sell them to someone."

Police also found marijuana and oxycodone inside a duffle bag and a backpack in the car, according to the complaint.

If convicted, both men could face several years behind bars and tens of thousands of dollars in fines.