Isle man sentenced to over 25 years in prison in 2023 Mille Lacs County murder case

A 23-year-old Isle man was sentenced to 306 months, or more than 25 years, in prison on Thursday after pleading guilty to second-degree murder in a 2023 Mille Lacs County homicide case in mid-May.

Two felony-level charges of interference with a dead body or scene of death and one count of fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle were dismissed in the plea deal.

According to the criminal complaint, county public works employees discovered human remains in a tote in the 14200 block of Twilight Road, near Mille Lacs Lake, in March of 2023.

The victim was identified as Isle resident Rodney Pendegayosh Jr., who was reported missing prior to his remains being found.

Law enforcement learned that Bradley Weyaus may have been involved with the victim's disappearance, and the complaint states that investigators discovered Weyaus had been seen several times in the area with a heavy tote container fastened with bungee cords and industrial tape.

Weyaus is credited with 857 days already served.

Alexis Elling, who pleaded guilty to a count of aiding an offender after the fact in February of 2024 after admitting to helping Weyaus move the remains, is set to be sentenced on Aug. 15.