Hancock man gets 3-plus years in OD homicide

STEVENS POINT — A Hancock man convicted in connection with the overdose death of a college student was sentenced Tuesday to three and a half years in prison.

Erik Olsen, 28, pleaded no contest in March to charges of second-degree reckless homicide for his role in the November 2013 overdose death of 21-year-old Jordan Peterson. Peterson was a senior biology student at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

Olsen faced a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison and a $100,000 fine. In addition to the prison time, he will serve another six and a half years of extended supervision when he is released.

Portage County District Attorney David Knaapen recommended that Olsen, who accepted responsibility for his actions and had no criminal background, be sentenced to five years in prison followed by five years of extended supervision.

Olsen expressed his remorse for Peterson's death in a statement to the court.

"I stole something that can never be replaced," Olsen said. "For that, I'm sorry."

Defense attorney Ryan Drengler recommended 30 months in prison followed by four to five years of extended supervision. Drengler based his recommendation on Olsen's remorse and need for drug rehabilitation. Drengler said the sooner Olsen can get to treatment, the more likely he is to succeed.

Portage County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Flugaur also ordered Olsen to pay restitution for funeral costs, write a letter of apology to the Peterson family, to have no contact with the Peterson family except the letter of apology and to comply with drug-treatment plans.

Olsen has been in jail for 569 days awaiting his sentence, which will count towards his three-and-a-half-year sentence.

Lauren French can be reached at 715-345-2258 and Lfrench2@stevenspoint.gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter as @Laurenkatef22