Wisconsin inmate sentenced to 5 years for role in guard’s death

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — An 18-year-old inmate who pleaded guilty to charges related to the death of a guard at a Wisconsin juvenile prison was sentenced Wednesday to five years in prison.

Rian Nyblom pleaded guilty in April to two counts of being a party to the crime of battery by a prisoner. As part of a plea deal, the original charge of felony murder with special circumstances was reduced. An additional charge of battery by a prisoner was dismissed.

Cory Proulx, 49, was a guard at the Lincoln Hills-Copper Lakes juvenile prison when he was punched multiple times by a 16-year-old inmate, fell and hit his head on the pavement in June 2024. He died a day later.According to prosecutors, the 16-year-old inmate was upset at a female guard whom he felt was abusing her power. He threw a cup of what he thought was soap at her and repeatedly punched her. The inmate then ran into the courtyard and Proulx followed to stop him.