Brown County, Wis. – A 50-year-old Wisconsin man, already serving dual life sentences for murdering his girlfriend and her best friend, has been convicted of attacking a prison guard while incarcerated. The incident adds three years to his current sentence, to be served consecutively without parole.
Inmate Attacks Correctional Officer
According to a copy of the criminal complaint obtained, Richard Sotka attacked a correctional officer with a series of punches to the head after items of contraband were removed from his cell.
The officer described the attack: “His fist hit me on my left ear. The strike hurt my ear and I saw stars. I yelled, ‘What are you doing?’ He continued to strike me over and over again on my head.”
The officer had difficulty defending against Sotka’s blows until backup arrived, allowing him to stop the assault.
Background: Double Murder Case
Sotka previously made headlines for the 2023 stabbing deaths of his 58-year-old girlfriend Rhonda Cegelski and her 53-year-old best friend Paula O’Connor. Police found both women dead inside their duplex, with multiple stab wounds to the face and neck. A knife remained lodged in O’Connor’s neck, while Cegelski was found in the kitchen.
Investigators later confirmed that Sotka was dating Cegelski and had cut off a GPS ankle monitor while out on bond for an unrelated stalking and harassment case in Ohio.
Previous Violence and Arrest
Sotka confessed to the double murder, stating he felt humiliated after seeing the two women together after a night of drinking. He denied the unrelated stalking charges in Oconto County. Authorities noted that he had previously “snapped” on a different partner 20 years prior, causing serious injuries including a fractured skull and broken leg.
Sotka was apprehended in Arkansas about 10 hours after the murders, carrying approximately $4,000 in cash and his passport.
Additional Sentence Imposed
Following a one-day trial, a Brown County jury found Sotka guilty of felony battery by a prisoner. County Circuit Court Judge Beau Liegois added three years to his dual life sentences, to be served consecutively.
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