WHO Involved: Donald Hanko, 73, of Cazenovia, WI

WHERE Incident Happened: State HWY 58 & Lost Hollow Rd

What happened: Sheriff Porter reports Deputies of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department were dispatched to the report of a single vehicle rollover crash near the intersection of STH 58 & Lost Hollow Rd. Deputies arrived on scene and provided medial care to the lone occupant, Donald Hanko of Cazenovia, until Cazenovia Fire/EMS and Ithaca First Responders arrived. Donald was transported by Cazenovia EMS to the Richland Hospital. Hanko later died as a result of his injuries.

Other Agencies Involved: Cazenovia Fire/EMS, Ithaca First Responders, Shields Towing

WHO Involved: Shaponda Ann Jimerson, 38, of Middleton, WI

WHERE Incident Happened: Richland County

What happened: In April 2024, the Richland County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation into stalking threats made against Shaponda Ann Jimerson, 38, of Middleton, Wisconsin, former Administrator of Pine Valley Community Village, which raised serious concerns about her safety and well-being. The threats, sent through two fictitious Facebook accounts, seemed like a complex case of harassment. However, as the investigation unfolded, a shocking truth emerged: Jimerson herself was behind the threats.

The investigation continued when Jimerson sought a Harassment Injunction against a resident of Richland County, claiming that she and her family were being targeted and harassed by this individual. To support her case, she presented a letter and other material items as evidence of the harassment she was experiencing. However, upon further investigation, the Richland County Sheriff’s Office discovered that the letter used in the injunction was fabricated.

As the investigation dug deeper, the truth began to unravel. The Richland County Sheriff’s Office obtained a collection of online activity records, which revealed that Jimerson had created the fictitious Facebook accounts herself and was sending threatening messages to herself. This was a clear case of self-victimization, where Jimerson had concocted a web of lies to deceive those that support her.

On June 25th, 2024, Richland County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the Middleton Police Department, executed a search warrant at Jimerson’s residence. Jimerson was not home at the time of the search warrant but was made aware of the charges and turned herself into the Richland County Jail on June 26th, 2024.

As the Richland County District Attorney’s Office reviews the charges of Perjury and Resisting/Obstructing an Officer, it is essential to acknowledge the gravity of Jimerson’s actions. Her deliberate attempts to deceive and manipulate others have consequences that extend beyond the legal realm.

Other Agencies Involved: Middleton Police Department

ARREST or CHARGES: Perjury – 946.31(1)(a), Resisting/Obstructing an Officer – 946.41(1)

County Administrator’s Press Release

WHO Involved: Dana Taylor, 33, of Richland Center, WI
Mikalah Baker, 18, of Richland Center, WI

WHERE Incident Happened: County Highway N just East of Hustlers Ridge DR

What happened: On 06/15/2024 at 8:29 pm, Richland County Dispatch received a report of a UTV crash on County Highway N just East of Hustlers Ridge Dr. Responding units arrived on scene and found the driver, Dana Taylor, 33 of Richland Center was partially pinned underneath the UTV. The driver was extricated from the UTV and transported directly to UW Hospital for her injuries. the passenger, Mikalah Baker, 18, of Richland Center, was transported to The Richland Hospital with minor injuries. Initial investigation of the crash showed that the UTV was heading westbound on County Highway N negotiating a curve, and hit the edge of the road causing the UTV to skid across the road and overturn onto the driver’s side, partially pinning the driver underneath. Wegners Towing removed the UTV from the scene.

Other Agencies Involved: Richland Center Police Department, Wisconsin DNR, Wisconsin State Patrol, Richland County Ambulance, Richland Center Fire Department

ARREST or CHARGES: Accident is still under investigation.

WHO Involved: Charlie B Hillman, 48, of Richland Center, WI

WHERE Incident Happened: US Highway 14 Westbound from Moore Dr. to Starlight Ln

What happened: Sheriff Clay Porter reports that on May 26th, 2024 at approximately 11:47 P.M., Deputies were dispatched to a call for service in the Village of Lone Rock for a report of a hit and run incident. While en route, dispatch informed deputies of the suspect vehicle description and license plate number. Deputies observed the suspect vehicle traveling westbound on US Highway 14 near Moore Drive. The vehicle swerved and drove head on toward a law enforcement vehicle. Emergency lights and siren were activated, and a pursuit ensued continuing westbound on US Highway 14 toward the city of Richland Center. During the pursuit, the suspect vehicle drove recklessly, swerving toward other vehicles on the highway while traveling at speeds up to 100 mph. The pursuit continued into the city, where the Richland Center Police Department deployed stop sticks (a tire deflation device) and it successfully disabled the vehicle. The pursuit ended safely on US Highway 14 near Taco Bell, and the suspect was taken into custody without incident.

Sheriff Porter attributes the safe outcome of this incident to our strong partnership with the Richland Center Police Department. Ongoing joint training on pursuit techniques has proved invaluable in this situation, as well as several others. Teamwork saves lives.

Other Agencies Involved: Richland Center Police Department

ARREST or CHARGES: Resisting or Obstructing an Officer, Vehicle Operator Flee/Elude Officer, Criminal Damage to Property

WHO Involved: Devin J. Rego, 25, of Cazenovia, WI
Amber L. Markunas, 35, of Wisconsin Dells, WI

WHERE Incident Happened: County Hwy V, East of Germantown

What happened: On 2/14/24, at approximately 8:40pm, Richland County Dispatch received a 911 call regarding a female party who had fallen out of a moving UTV on County Hwy V near Cazenovia. Deputies and emergency medical personnel arrived and located the female unresponsive, but breathing and determined that she was a passenger in the UTV. Contact was made with the driver, 25 year old Devin Rego of Cazenovia who was still on scene. While speaking with Rego, deputies observed signs of alcohol impairment and he was subsequently arrested for Operating an ATV/UTV While Intoxicated Causing Injury. The injured female was identified as 35 year old Amber Markunas of Wisconsin Dells and was transported via Med Flight to UW Hospital for life threatening injuries. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources was contacted and will be assisting in the ongoing investigation.

Other Agencies Involved:  Cazenovia EMS, Cazenovia Fire, UW Med Flight, Wisconsin DNR, Reedsburg Paramedics

WHO Involved: Darnell Edwards, 47, of Boscobel, WI
Lyndzi Edwards, 38, of Boscobel, WI
Corey Clark, Juvenile, of Boscobel, WI
Dezzerrae Edwards, Juvenile, of Boscobel, WI
Kelli Neitzel, 32, of Muscoda, WI

WHERE Incident Happened: State Hwy 60 just west of State Hwy 193

What happened: Sheriff Clay Porter reports on June 6, 2023 at approximately 11:52 A.M., Richland County Dispatch received a 911 call reference a two car accident with multiple injuries. Reporting party advised the crash was located at the intersection of State Hwy 60 and State Hwy 193, The vehicle traveling westbound, operated by Darnell Edwards with three passengers. Four individuals were transported to Gunderson Hospital in Boscobel with minor injuries. drugs or alcohol are not believed to be contributing factors of the accident.

ARREST or CHARGES: None

Other Agencies Involved: Richland EMS, Muscoda Fire Dept., Blue River EMS, Boscobel EMS, Wisconsin State Patrol