Gogos sentenced to 15 years in prison

GREEN BAY - When 19-year-old Casey Gogos made his way into the courtroom where he would learn his sentence, he smiled to his friends and family. Those smiles quickly turned to tears as he addressed the court.

 "I'd like to say sorry to the Rockstroh family for the death of Ryan. I can't imagine the pain they're going through emotionally and mentally over the last year," Gogos said. "I'd like to apologize to my family for the things I've put them through for the last 11 months."

In September, a jury found Gogos guilty of first degree reckless homicide for supplying heroin to 17-year-old Ryan Rockstroh. Rockstroh died of a heroin overdose in October of 2008.

At the start of the sentencing hearing, Rockstroh's mother talked about her son.

"He was loved and adored by so many and all of us are suffering terribly," Molly Rockstroh said. She told the court she wanted to forgive Gogos for supplying the heroin that her son died from, but says she could not after she heard witnesses testify Gogos continued dealing after Ryan's death.

"The fact that you continued to sell this lethal drug to teenage addicts after one of them had already died is despicable and appalling," Molly Rockstroh said to Gogos in court. "The fact that my son's death meant nothing to you, that you repeatedly refused to acknowledge your role in this terrible tragedy is unforgivable."

The defense asked Brown County Circuit Judge Hon. William Atkinson to give Gogos a three to five year prison sentence. Instead, Atkinson went along with the recommendation of the district attorney's office and sentenced Gogos to 15 years in prison and 10 years of extended supervision.

"When a person sells drugs and then learns of a death because of that sale, and then sells again, that's evil," Atkinson said. "You're an evil person. You are without a conscience."

Besides being a punishment to Gogos, Atkinson said he wants this sentence to send a message to other people who are selling heroin that if they're caught and convicted they will be spending a significant amount of time in prison.

Rockstroh's family left the courthouse without comment. Gogos' lawyer and family declined comment. Gogos will be back in court later this week on additional drug charges.