Richland County Sheriff's Office

Cryptocurrency Scams on the Rise

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Richland County Sheriff Clay Porter wants to update the community on the increase in cryptocurrency type scams. Cryptocurrency is defined as digital and/or virtual currency with the records being maintained by a decentralized system such as but not limited to Bitcoin and Ethereum. These types of scams have a wide variety of schemes, but can include blackmail, extortion, business opportunities, fake job listings, giveaways, impersonation, investments, phishing, and romance (this includes dating applications). Things to look for in spotting a scam are if it seems too good to be true, “pay to play” jobs, promises of guaranteed investment returns, and unexpected email-phone- texts.

How to report Cryptocurrency Scams:

This is not to scare the public from in participating in investing into cryptocurrency, but simply to educate and protect those that are less familiar with cryptocurrency from the scams that are occurring everywhere.

 

Two Vehicle Crash Leads to Two Injuries

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WHEN: 11/20/2023
TIME of Incident: 8:10 AM

WHO Involved: Richland Sewell, 51, of Milwaukee, WI
Kyle Kleppe, 25, of Blanchardville, WI

WHERE Incident Happened: Hwy 60 and Hwy 193

What happened: Sheriff Clay Porter reports that a straight truck driven by Richard Sewell was traveling east on Hwy 60 west of Hwy 193 when it crossed the centerline into oncoming traffic. Kyle Kleppe was traveling west on Hwy 60 in a Dodge 4500 and attempted to avoid the crash but was struck head on. Sewell was ejected from the straight truck and Kleppe was assisted out of his truck by another motorist. Both parties were transported to Richland Hospital by Muscoda and Blue River EMS. Sewell was later transferred to UW Hospital for his injuries. Muscoda Fire was requested for traffic control and scene clean up. Hwy 60 was closed approximately 1.5 hours. Wisconsin State Patrol was requested for vehicle inspections on both commercial vehicles. This crash is still under investigation.

Other Agencies Involved: Muscoda Fire, Muscoda EMS, Blue River EMS, WI State Patrol

Missing Pleasant Prairie Man Located Deceased In Richland County

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WHEN: 10/03/2023
TIME of Incident: 12:35 PM

WHERE Incident Happened: Marshall Township

What happened: On October 3rd, 2023 at approximately 12:35pm, The Richland County Dispatch Center received a call from a family member of missing person- John Anderson, stating that he had located the vehicle crashed in a wooded area off of County Hwy A in rural Richland County. Sheriff’s Deputies responded and confirmed that it was Anderson’s vehicle and located Anderson deceased inside. Richland Fire and The Richland County Coroner were contacted and arrived on scene a short while later. A thorough investigation on scene lead deputies to believe that Anderson had a serious medical incident while operating the vehicle, causing the crash. Wisconsin State Patrol was later contacted to extract the vehicle information and an autopsy was completed which confirmed the cause of death being a medical condition.

The Richland County Sheriff’s Office would like to extend a big thank you to the all of the agencies that assisted with the investigation as well as the family and friends whom assisted in the search. Our sympathy is with his family and friends during this difficult time.

Other Agencies Involved: Richland County Sheriff’s Office, Richland Center Fire Department, Richland County Coroner, Pleasant Prairie Police Department, and the Wisconsin State Patrol

One Injured in Motorcycle Crash

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WHEN: 09/09/23
TIME of Incident: 2:25 PM

WHO Involved: Dawn Jahn, 40, of Portage WI

WHERE Incident Happened: Spangler Ridge Rd, approximately 1.5 miles East of CTH A, Bloom Township, Section 21

What happened: Jahn was operating a 2007 Honda motorcycle traveling West on Spangler Ridge Rd when she lost control and was thrown from the motorcycle. Jahn was transported from the scene by GundersonAIR helicopter. The Richland County Sheriff’s Department was assisted on scene by LaFarge EMS and Yuba First Responders and the Yuba Fire Department.

Other Agencies Involved: LaFarge EMS, Yuba First Responders, Yuba Fire, and Gunderson AIR La Crosse

Death Investigation at Lone Rock DNR Area

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WHEN: 08/13/2023
TIME of Incident: 8:23 PM

WHERE Incident Happened: Smith and Cruson Slough Day Use Area, US Hwy 14, Lone Rock

What happened: On 08/13/2023 at approximately 8:23pm, the Richland County Sheriff’s Office located a vehicle that was included in an attempt to locate (ATL) for a “check welfare” request out of the City of Madison. Two Madison women were reported missing by a family member after they failed to return home after a hike at Devil’s Lake State Park. A phone ping was conducted and allowed a deputy with Richland County to locate the vehicle in the Smith and Cruson Slough DNR land, just off of US Hwy 14, near Lone Rock. The deputy located two females dead inside the vehicle due to an apparent murder-suicide. A 25-year-old woman was found with a gunshot wound and a 60-year-old woman was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Nothing else suspicious was located at the scene and there is no perceived threat to the public.

The investigation remains ongoing and the names of the deceased females are being withheld at this time pending proper notification of family members and more information will be released at a later date.

Other Agencies Involved: Richland County Coroner

Investigation at Bunker Hill Campground – Updated

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WHEN: 05/25/2023
TIME of Incident: 9:30 AM

WHO Involved: Corby J. Neef, 54, of Pardeeville, WI
David A. Harp, 61, of Baraboo, WI

WHERE Incident Happened: 30858 County Hwy I, Cazenovia

What happened: On 05/25/23, the Richland County Sheriff’s Office began investigating the death of a 54 year old Pardeeville man at the Bunker Hill Campground, in Cazenovia. Corby J. Neef was found deceased around 9:30 am with multiple gunshot wounds. The crime scene was processed with the assistance of several law enforcement agencies and it was determined that the gunshot wounds were not self inflicted. Two people of interest were on scene and detained for questioning. David A. Harp, 61 of Baraboo, WI was later arrested and charged with 1st Degree Reckless Homicide and is currently in the Richland County Jail on a $250,000 cash bond. The other person of interest who had been detained was later released with no charges. The investigation is ongoing at this time. If you have any information regarding this case, please contact the Richland County Sheriff’s Office.

ARREST or CHARGES: David A. Harp – Charged with 1st Degree Reckless Homicide

Other Agencies Involved: WI Department of Justice Crime Unit, The Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, WI State Patrol, Cazenovia EMS, Richland Center Police Department

Investigation at Bunker Hill Campground.

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WHEN: 05/25/2023
TIME of Incident:  9:30 AM

WHERE Incident Happened: 30858 County Hwy I, Cazenovia

What happened: On May 25th, 2023 at approximately 9:30 AM, Cazenvoia EMS was requested to Bunker Hill Campground for an unresponsive male. It was determined after EMS arrived on scene that the male party was deceased. During the investigation it was determined that there was suspicious circumstances involving the death of the male party. Assistance was requested from The Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, The Wisconsin State Crime Lab, Wisconsin State Patrol and the Richland Center Police Department. At this time the investigation is still ongoing. There is no danger to the public. More information will be released as soon as possible.

Other Agencies Involved: WI Department of Justice Crime Unit, The Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, WI State Patrol, Cazenovia EMS, Richland Center Police Department

Milk Truck Rollover Results in Injury

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WHEN: 04/18/23
TIME of Incident: 10:30 AM

WHO Involved: David S Rott, 72, of Richland Center

WHERE Incident Happened: USH 14 just West of CTH KK in Akan Township

What happened:Rott was operating a 2010 Mack Semi pulling a trailer traveling east on USH 14 near CTH KK. The semi traveled into the southbound ditch and eventually overturned, causing severe damage to semi and injuries to Rott. Rott was transported by Richland EMS to the Richland Hospital due to his injuries. Due to witness statements, the Wisconsin State Patrol was contacted and the crash is still under investigation.

 

Other Agencies Involved: Richland Center Fire Department, Wisconsin State Patrol, Richland County Highway Department, Wegner Towing, and Richland County EMS

Sextonville Man Arrested for Child Pornography

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WHEN: 03/15/2023
TIME of Incident: 8:30 AM

WHO Involved: Jarrett P. Fillyaw, 38, of Sextonville, WI

WHERE Incident Happened: County Highway B, Village of Sextonville

What happened: Sheriff Clay Porter reports that on 03/15/2023, the Richland County Special Response Team executed a search warrant at an address on County Hwy B in the Village of Sextonville. The Richland County Sheriff’s Office received a cybertip from the Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force regarding sexually explicit images of children that were downloaded at the above address. During the search warrant, Jarrett P. Fillyaw was detained and numerous electronic devices were seized. Digital Forensic Analysts with DCI were on scene and previewed the devices, locating numerous videos and images that are suspected to be illegal. Fillyaw was arrested and taken to jail on 59 counts of Possession of Child Pornography and 1 count of Felony Bail Jumping. All charges will be forwarded to the Richland County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

Sheriff Clay Porter would like to credit the success of this initial investigation to multiple agencies working together to combat the exploitation of children.

ARREST or CHARGES: Possession of Child Pornography- 59 Counts, Felony Bail Jumping- 1 Count

Other Agencies Involved: Richland Center Police Department, Richland County Special Response Team, Lone Rock EMS, and the Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation- Digital Forensic Unit

One Dead in House Fire

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WHEN: 03/15/2023
TIME of Incident:  11:40 PM

WHERE Incident Happened: 20375 Tuckaway Valley Rd, Richland Center, WI 53581

What happened: Richland County Dispatch received a 911 call of a house fire at 20375 Tuckaway Valley Rd, Richland Center, WI 53581 from a neighbor. Responding Deputies arrived to a house fully engulfed and collapsed. A male party was located standing near the shed next to the house. The male party stated that he was able to escape through a main floor window, but believed his wife was still inside the residence. Due to the house being collapsed and fully engulfed in flames, deputies were unable to attempt rescue. Male party was transported to the Richland hospital via Richland EMS and Richland Fire worked on extinguishing the fire. Deputies spoke with male party at the hospital after he had been medically examined, and he stated that it was roughly 10:45pm when he noticed the fire and escaped out of the house. The male party stated he was unable to contact anyone at the time he escaped the residence. The Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigation (DCI) was contacted for a Fire Marshal to Investigate the scene and assist in the search of male parties wife. Emergency personnel were eventually able to conduct a search of the residence and located a deceased party.

This complaint is still under investigation.

Other Agencies Involved: Richland Center Fire Department, Richland County EMS, and the Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigation