By Jacob Mathias

A 23-year-old Wisconsin Rapids man, Ryan Waupoose, pleaded not guilty today of all charges at his arraignment in the Wood County Courthouse, including alleged battery and false imprisonment.

According to court documents, on April 14 Waupoose was arguing with his wife over the phone as he drove home from work. When he arrived at his home on the 900 block of 2nd Ave. S., Waupoose allegedly punched his wife in the face four times. His wife then fell onto the floor against a recliner, causing a laceration on her forehead.

Waupoose’s wife then reported he grabbed her by the neck when she wanted to leave the house.

She said Waupoose then told her she couldn’t leave because he had a loaded 9mm pistol and M4 rifle in the house and would hurt her if she tried to leave.

The 9mm was in the wasteband of his pants.

While Waupoose was distracted in the kitchen, his wife fled outside and into the street, flagging down a car which took her to the hospital. At the hospital, she claimed she fell down the stairs.

After being stitched up at the hospital, a friend drove her back home where Waupoose was waiting and threatening his wife and her friend with his weapons.

They immediately left and called 911. Further police investigation found blood corresponding to Waupoose’s wife’s account of the incident. The wife’s injuries included the laceration on her forehead and bruising to her face, neck, chin and nose.

Waupoose

Waupoose faces charges of false imprisonment, a class H felony with a maximum of sentence of six years imprisonment, a $10,000 fine or both. A charge of substantial battery with intent to cause bodily harm has also been brought, a class I felony with a maximum sentence of three years and six months imprisonment, a $10,000 fine or both.

He is also charged with two counts of misdemeanor domestic disturbance.

Waupoose returns to court on August 7, for a pre-trial conference at 9:00 AM.