By Eileen Persike
Editor

Jordan Henk, 27, was charged with theft and criminal damage to property.

The Rhinelander man involved in de-clawing the Hodag statue on the Rhinelander Chamber of Commerce grounds has reached a plea deal with the state. Jordan G. Henk, 27, appeared in Oneida County court Tuesday afternoon for a pre-trial conference. Instead, Henk plead guilty/no contest to the charge of criminal damage to property. The charge of theft of moveable property was dismissed. District Attorney Michael Schiek deferred prosecution and will determine restitution after the damages have been repaired. There were no additional details available Tuesday afternoon.

Henk and 31-year old Evan Christiansen of Madison were charged in January with damaging the statue and removing four of the iconic Hodag’s claws, all of which have been recovered. In December, StarJournalNow published an email from Henk in which he claimed responsibility for the vandalism. Charges against Christiansen are still pending.

A review hearing for Henk is set for April, 2017.