WAUPUN, WI (WSAU) — Jake Patterson has been sent to a southeast Wisconsin prison to begin his life sentence for two counts of homicide and kidnapping.
Patterson was transported to the Dodge Correctional Institution in Waupun, a facility often utilized for those who have recently been sentenced to life in prison.
It’s unclear if Patterson will spend the rest of his life at the facility in Dodge County. USA Today Wisconsin reports that officials will evaluate Patterson over the next few weeks to determine if he will be permanently placed in the facility.
It’s possible that he could be sent to an out-of-state facility for a portion of his sentence as well.
Patterson, who will turn 22 this month, received the sentence after admitting guilt for killing Jim and Denise Closs before he kidnapped their teenage daughter and held her against her will at his home in the Douglas County Town of Gordon.
The October 2018 incident prompted a nationwide Amber Alert and search for Jayme Closs, with more than 2,000 tips investigated. The small community of Barron was on edge for weeks while officials investigated the case and conducted search parties.
The case came to a head in early January 2019 when Jayme escaped from Patterson’s home while he was away for several hours. She then ran for help from a neighbor who took her to a nearby home to be rescued by authorities. Patterson was arrested a short time later.
He pled guilty to the charges and was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in late May.
