By Calvin Palmer
A Wisconsin paper mill worker was sentenced today to 50 years in prison for abducting and sexually assaulting two young men he kept chained at his home.
Wood County Circuit Court Judge Greg Potter told Ed Lanphear, 47, of Saratoga, he was every person’s worst nightmare. The judge added that he was determined Lanphear would not have the opportunity to offend again.
Lanphear abducted the men in Wisconsin Rapids in separate incidents last July.
A 23-year-old Grand Rapids man was walking home when Lanphear offered to give him a ride. Once the man got into Lanphear’s truck and the two drove off, Lanphear pulled over, said he was a police officer and handcuffed the man.
Lanphear took the 23-year-old to his home, where he chained him in the basement.
On the evening of July 7, a 21-year-old Wisconsin Rapids man chose to sleep in his vehicle in the parking lot at a bar, after he realized he was too intoxicated to drive. He awoke to find Lanphear restraining him with zip ties around his hands.
Lanphear took the 21-year-old back to his home and chained him in the garage.
Both victims reported being beaten and sexually assaulted.
Police were eventually alerted when the 21-year-old managed to free himself from the garage and ran, naked and chained, to a nearby house for help.
[Based on reports by the Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune and newsday.com.]
Calvin Palmer's Weblog 