Men accused of bringing assault-style rifles to Homestead High School plead not guilty to charges

The two men accused of bringing a cache of guns, including assault-style rifles, to Homestead High School earlier this year have pleaded not guilty to the more than two dozen charges they're facing in Ozaukee County Circuit Court.

According to court records, Sturgeon Bay residents Willard Hartman and Benjamin Krohn entered their pleas during a May 8 hearing. They are both free on bond, and due back in court July 9.

Hartman, 19, and Krohn, 20, 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 duffel 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.