WHO Involved: Tara Weitzel, 46, of Richland Center, WI
Nicollette Wallace, 40, of Hillsboro, WI
Tanner Spoolstra, 26, of Brandon, WI

WHERE Incident Happened: USH 14 at the intersection of CTH O, Richland Center

What happened: Sheriff Clay Porter reports on 12/13/2024 at approximately 10:54 AM, a semi driven by T. Spoolstra was traveling east on USH 14 and failed to stop for a red light at the intersection of CTH O and USH 14. The Dodge Challenger driven by T. Weitzel and the Toyota Tacoma driven by N. Wallace were traveling parallel to each other on CTH O turning left to go west on USH 14 when the Semi failed to stop and crashed into both vehicles in the intersection. After impact the charger came to rest facing north, in the west bound lane on USH 14 and the Tacoma came to rest in the east bound lane facing east. The operators of the Challenger and Tacoma were transported to the Richland Hospital for apparent non-life threatening injuries. Richland County Sheriff’s Office was assisted on scene by the Richland Center Police Department, Richland Center Fire Department, and multiple units from Richland EMS. Wegner’s Auto also assisted in the removal of all involved vehicles.

Other Agencies Involved: Richland Center Police Department, Richland EMS, Richland Fire Department, Wegner’s Auto Service

Arrest or Charges: None

WHO Involved: Henry J McMillian, 66, of Muscoda, WI
Sarah J Rice, 31, of Avoca, WI

WHERE Incident Happened: Willow Creek Road & State Hwy 58

What happened: On November 20, 2024, the Richland County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of stolen aluminum cans from the Ithaca-Weston Wrestling Club’s donation drop-off area, located at the corner of Willow Creek Rd and State Hwy 58 in Ithaca Township. The theft occurred in the early morning hours, and the reporting party provided both photos of the suspects and the vehicle involved. Thanks to a quick and coordinated investigation with the Muscoda Police Department, the suspects were swiftly located. Henry McMillian, 66, of Muscoda, was arrested and transported to the Richland County Jail on charges of Theft and Felony Bail Jumping. Sarah Rice, 31, of Avoca, was also charged with Theft.

Sheriff Porter would like to stress the importance of installing security cameras as well as reporting suspicious activity.

Other Agencies Involved: Muscoda Police Department

ARREST or CHARGES: McMillian: Theft and Felony Bail Jumping
Rice: Theft

WHO Involved: Braydan Murry, 21, of Boscobel, WI
Dennis Klingaman, 41, of Boaz, WI
Kathryn Brudos, 63, of Lone Rock, WI
Joan Gardner, 63, of Lone Rock, WI

WHERE Incident Happened: US Highway 14 at Old Sextonville Drive

What happened: On 8-19-24, the Richland County Sheriff’s office received a 911 call of a 3 vehicle crash on us HWY 14 near old Sextonville drive with complete road blockage. Deputies of the Richland County Sheriff’s office arrived on scene and were assisted by an officer from the Richland Center Police department. There were found to be 2 injured parties as a result of the crash. The investigation revealed that a van operated by Braydan Murry was east bound following a sedan operated by Kathryn Brudos. Joan Gardner was a passenger in the vehicle operated by Brudos. Brudos began slowing down for a vehicle that was turning when she was hit in the rear of the vehicle by the van operated by Murry. Brudos’ vehicle was then pushed into oncoming traffic. Meanwhile, a truck pulling a large trailer operated by Dennis Klingaman was west bound and attempted to swerve and avoid the crash. Klingaman’s truck crashed into the front of Brudos’ vehicle and caused the trailer to roll. The roadway was shut down by the Richland Center Fire department. All patients were assessed and treated by EMS. The vehicles were recovered by Wegner’s towing of Richland Center and the debris was cleared by the Richland Center Fire department. As a result of the investigation it was found that Murry only had an instructional permit and did not have motor vehicle insurance.

Other Agencies Involved: Richland Center Police Department, Richland Center Fire Department, Richland County EMS, Lone Rock EMS, Ithaca First Responders, Spring Green EMS, Wegner’s Towing

ARREST or CHARGES: Citations for Operating a Motor vehicle without Insurance, Operating a Motor Vehicle without a Valid License, and Inattentive Driving

WHERE Incident Happened: Sauk/Richland/Iowa County Lines near the Lone Rock Bridge

What happened:

**Updated 1:54PM**

The Richland County Sheriff’s Office has successfully identified and located the owner of the vehicle and determined that it was stolen in Monroe County in 1990. The investigation will continue to determine how the vehicle ended up in the Wisconsin River near the Lone Rock Bridge. However, at this point, there are no suspicious items that were located within the vehicle and no evidence to believe any occupants were injured.

**Original Post**

The Richland County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the recovery of a red Pontiac Grand Prix from the Wisconsin River near the Lone Rock bridge, which straddles the Sauk/Richland/Iowa County lines. The vehicle, a late 1980s model, is believed to have been submerged in the river from the late 1980s to early 1990s.

On August 7, 2024, the Sauk County Sheriff’s Drive Team, with help from Wegner’s Auto Service, successfully retrieved the car from the river.

Authorities are seeking any information on how the vehicle ended up in the river. If you have any details about this case, please contact the Richland County Sheriff’s Office at 608-647-2106, referencing case number R24-3134. For anonymous tips, call Crime Stoppers at 608-647-CLUE (608-647-2583) or submit a Web Tip via the P3 Tips app.

The Richland County Sheriff’s Office extends gratitude to the Sauk County Sheriff’s Dive Team, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and Wegner’s Auto Service for their assistance in this case.

Other Agencies Involved: Sauk County Sheriff’s Office – Dive Team, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Wegner’s Auto Service

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