MADISON, Wis. (AP) – An 18-year-old inmate, Rian Nyblom, has been sentenced to five years in prison following a plea deal related to charges stemming from the death of a guard at the Lincoln Hills-Copper Lakes juvenile prison in Wisconsin. Nyblom pleaded guilty in April to two counts of being a party to the crime of battery by a prisoner. In exchange for his plea, a more serious charge of felony murder with special circumstances was reduced, while an additional charge of battery by a prisoner was dismissed.
The incident occurred in June 2024 when Cory Proulx, a 49-year-old guard, responded to a situation involving a 16-year-old inmate who was agitated with a female staff member. The inmate reportedly believed the female guard was abusing her authority. In a moment of aggression, he threw a cup of what he perceived to be soap at her and subsequently began to punch her. Proulx intervened to prevent the escalation of violence and pursued the inmate into a courtyard.
According to the complaint, the 16-year-old inmate proceeded to punch Proulx multiple times, resulting in Proulx falling and hitting his head on the pavement. He succumbed to his injuries the following day. During the investigation, Nyblom admitted to giving the 16-year-old extra soap and conditioner beforehand, indicating that he was aware of the inmate's intent to confront the female guard and escalate the situation.
Nyblom described witnessing the subsequent assault on Proulx but claimed he did not see the 16-year-old punch the female guard. On Wednesday, Lincoln County Circuit Judge Galen Bayne-Allison sentenced Nyblom to five years in prison, taking into account the 405 days he has already served. Following the incident, he was transferred from juvenile custody to the Lincoln County Jail last year.
Before his transfer to Lincoln Hills, Nyblom had faced charges for criminal damage to property and disorderly conduct, for which he pleaded no contest in May. The 16-year-old inmate involved in Proulx's death, now 17, is charged with first-degree reckless homicide and two counts of battery by prisoners. He has pleaded not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect, with a trial scheduled to commence in February.
This case has garnered attention due to the serious nature of the charges and the implications surrounding the treatment of inmates within the juvenile justice system. The charged 17-year-old has been prosecuted as an adult; however, his attorneys have the option to request a rerouting of the case back into juvenile court, where proceedings are kept confidential.
