GAYLORD — A 48-year-old Winthrop man found guilty of second-degree murder by jury in the shooting death of 79-year-old Winthrop farmer Dennis Weitzenkamp in 2022, was sentenced to more than 30 years in prison in Sibley County Court Wednesday.

Travis Joel Bauer was sentenced to 367 months in prison for second-degree murder with intent-not premeditated. He was credited with 117 days served and fined $45,115.22 including $45,030.22 in restitution due Jan. 8, 2026. Bauer was acquitted of first-degree premeditated murder by jury in October.

“We believe the court was just in its sentence and hopes it brings closure to the families and community that have been devastated by the senseless murder of Dennis Weitzenkamp,” read a press release from Sibley County Attorney Don Lannoye.

Prosecutors said Bauer had significant debt and struggled to pay his bills including his mortgage. Bauer worked on Weitzenkamp’s farm for years and was considered part of the family. Trust documents showed Bauer stood to gain significant financial benefit if Weitzenkamp died, according to court documents.

The Sibley County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from Bauer that Weitzenkamp was unresponsive and there was blood present at Weitzenkamp’s rural Winthrop farm at 2:35 p.m. Sept. 20, 2022. Responding officers found Weitzenkamp slumped on a chair in a machine shed. They later determined he died of a small-caliber gunshot wound in the back of the head.

In an interview with law enforcement later that day, Bauer said he went to the farm at about 1:30 p.m., noticed he needed anti-freeze and other items and drove to the Winthrop NAPA vehicle parts store, returned to the farm, saw Weitzenkamp and called 911.

Cell phone tracking data and surveillance video showed Bauer’s travel report that afternoon was not accurate. Bauer said he wasn’t at the farm until he returned from Winthrop but location data showed he and Weitzenkamp were both at the farm at about 2:16 p.m. Bauer also appeared to have taken a different route to Winthrop than he told police. He later admitted to law enforcement that he lied about his whereabouts that day.

Law enforcement collected Bauer’s clothing after his first interview. Bauer said the last time he fired a gun was three weeks prior to the interview. A lab confirmed gun shot residue (GSR) on Bauer’s cap and pants and GSR elements were found on his shirt and belt. GSR confirmation is generally not expected to be found on clothing that was washed, exposed to elements or subject to physical activity.

Victim impact statements read before Bauer was sentenced mentioned that Bauer continued to deny his involvement with Weitzenkamp’s death, that he never apologized or accepted responsibility.