By Shereen Siewert | Wausau Pilot & Review

One of three people charged when a man was found dead of an apparent drug overdose at a sober living apartment will spend five years in prison, after settling three criminal cases in Wausau.

Shawn Rhyner, 35, was charged in February 2023 in connection with the death. During a plea and sentencing hearing Monday, Rhyner was convicted of manufacturing or delivering heroin, possessing a short-barreled shotgun or rifle and bail jumping. Several serious charges including first-degree reckless homicide by delivery of drugs and maintaining a drug trafficking place were dismissed but read into the record.

An investigation began Feb. 10, 2023 when police and emergency crews were dispatched to the 1100 block of West Bridge Street for a man found dead in an apartment. A needle was found next to the man’s body, according to court documents.

Investigators then tied the death to three suspects accused of arranging for and delivering the drugs to the man.

A neighbor to the victim, Ledell Kirkwood, allegedly arranged for delivering the drugs, while Shawn Rhyner and Brianne Rhyner were accused of transporting the drugs to the parking lot of the man’s apartment. Their vehicle was captured on video surveillance footage, according to court documents.

Police seized multiple firearms from the Rhyner’s shared home in the 600 block of Hamilton Street. Brianne Rhyner allegedly admitted selling heroin to Kirkwood, who allegedly gave the drugs to the man who died.

Brianne Rhyner, 33, faces charges of first-degree reckless homicide by delivery of drugs, manufacturing or delivering heroin, maintaining a drug trafficking place and other related charges.

Kirkwood faces charges of first-degree reckless homicide by delivery of drugs, manufacturing or delivering heroin, bail jumping and possessing drug paraphernalia.

At sentencing, Shawn Rhyner was ordered to spend five years in prison followed by five years of extended supervision. He was granted 318 days credit for time served while awaiting trial.

Cases against Brianne Rhyner and Kirkwood have not yet concluded.