WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — A Stratford man accused of setting a house on fire and leading police on a high-speed chase has entered a not guilty plea to all charges.
On Wednesday, John Strasser was in a Marathon County courtroom to enter the plea to four counts including three felony charges of arson, fleeing an officer, and intentionally pointing a firearm at an officer. He also faces a misdemeanor for operating a firearm while intoxicated.
Judge Gregory Huber then bound the 41-year-old for trial. His next court appearance will be on August 3rd.
Charges stem from an Independence Day weekend incident in which Strasser is accused of setting his house on fire. As officers responded to the scene, he took off down State Highway 97. Officers lost track of him near Ahrens Road but caught up with him again a few minutes later on Highway 153.
Deputies worked with OnStar to slow the vehicle down and eventually bring it to a stop. That’s when Strasser is accused of pointing a gun at officers.
A crisis team was brought in, and Strasser eventually surrendered peacefuly. He remains jailed on a $25,000 cash bond.
