34-year-old Mauston man faces a first-degree intentional homicide charge

A Mauston man faces a first-degree intentional homicide charge after police found a 73-year-old man dead.

Mauston police said they were contacted by the Vigo County Sheriff’s Office in Indiana to conduct a welfare check on Michael Sanders of Mauston at 4:15 p.m. on Wednesday.

The welfare check was prompted after Sanders’ son, Jacob Sanders, was pulled over in Terre Haute, Indiana on Wednesday for failing to signal, not wearing a seatbelt, and obstructing traffic.

During the traffic stop, law enforcement noticed blood on Jacob’s hands, the steering wheel and the driver’s seat. Jacob also admitted that he did not have permission to be driving the car, which belonged to his father, Michael Sanders.

A deputy initiated a traffic stop and noticed Jacob immediately lit a cigarette and started sorting through papers. He showed his driver’s permit but did not have a driver’s license.

The deputy reported noticing blood on Jacob’s hands. After conversations and observations, the deputy contacted police in Mauston, WI to do a welfare check on Jacob’s father, Michael Sanders, who was the legal owner of the vehicle.

Mauston police responded to the 1000 block of East State Street to locate and check on Michael Sanders. He was found dead inside his home. The Wisconsin State Crime Lab assisted in the investigation.

Jacob Sanders was arrested by the Vigo County Sheriff’s Office for theft, criminal conversion and operating never licensed. Sanders is being held at the Vigo County Sheriff’s Office in Indiana, awaiting extradition. He now also faces a first-degree intentional homicide charge.

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