Probation for La Crosse man arrested for threatening Onalaska woman

He was arrested last year after threatening a woman in Onalaska, then hiding in La Crescent.

Joshua Kletzke of La Crosse was sentenced Tuesday to five years probation — after serving time in another case — for weapon possession, after entering negotiated plea.

The 35-year-old threatened to shoot a female friend.

Judge Ramona Gonzalez remarked in court that Kletzke’s family has been very supportive of him, over years of court cases.

“That you’re all still in here, I’m just like, ‘Are you kidding me?'” Gonzalez said. “That they haven’t written you off already, I am amazed. Don’t you think … look at the … you’re 35 for heaven’s sake.”

Gonzalez says Kletzke can reduce his probation to one year if he remains sober for 12 months.

Kletzke apologized in court to his family and friends for his history of substance abuse.

“I wasn’t thinking clear minded you know?” he said. “I gotta get a grip on my drug addictions and my alcohol addictions.

“As long as I stay off that, I’ll succeed in a positive way.”

Gonzalez recalled Kletzke appearing before her 16 years ago, on his first drunk-driving charge. She told him Kletzke the abusive behavior has to end.