Richland County Sheriff's Office

Madison man leads deputies on crash-filled chase in 2 counties

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On 3/26/2018 at approximately 6:10pm, Richland County authorities were notified by the Vernon County Sheriff’s Department of a reckless driver eastbound on US Hwy 14 from the Readstown area.  The report was that he was not stopping for Vernon County Deputies and a call for help went out to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department to deploy “Stop Sticks” (tire deflation devices) was made.

It was learned the suspect vehicle had been involved in at least three crashes in Vernon County, involving both civilian and law enforcement vehicles.  Authorities attempted several trained maneuvers to stop the suspect as he appeared to intentionally ram into squads and continued east on Hwy 14.  As the suspect entered Richland County he crashed into four additional civilian vehicles traveling on the roadway, drove through ditch lines and continued to flee from deputies.

A Richland County Deputy arrived and coordinated with Vernon County Deputies to attempt to stop the vehicle.  Contact was made with the suspect vehicle by squad cars in a trained manner which temporarily stopped the suspect, however as deputies exited to make contact with the driver, he accelerated and pushed through the squads, and continued eastbound.  The suspect was yelling out the window at authorities and throwing items from his vehicle as he drove.  The chase reached a maximum speed of 35 mph according to authorities.

The subject was stopped on Hwy 14 at Wescott Rd. in Richland Counties Sylvan Township after two squads made contact with the suspect vehicle pinning him between them.  The subject was taken into custody and transported to the Richland County Jail.  The subject caused four hit and run crashes to occupied civilian vehicles and rammed into three squad cars in Richland County alone.

The arrested subject, identified as Leonard P. Perfetti, 46 of Madison, faces several criminal charges that are being coordinated through Richland County District Attorney Jennifer Harper and Vernon County District Attorney Tim Gaskell.  The WI State Patrol is assisting in the ongoing investigation.

Assisting in the incident:  Vernon County Sheriff’s Department, WI State Patrol, Richland Center Police, Viola Police Department, Readstown Fire, Richland Center Fire, Vernon County District Attorney, and the Richland County District Attorney.

Richland County Sheriff James Bindl highly commended the road deputies from both Vernon and Richland Counties as well as the dispatchers.  “This was a very dangerous incident for everyone on the road.  Because of the Deputies actions, no one was injured or killed last night.  All involved did what had to be done and did it well.”

Search of vehicle reveals large amount of Methamphetamine

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On March 21st, 2018 at approximately 2:52 PM a deputy observed a vehicle traveling west bound on U.S Hwy 14 just east of Richland Center. The vehicle was followed into the Goodwill parking lot where three occupants exited the vehicle. The deputy made contact with Clarke the driver of the vehicle while the two passengers fled on foot north behind Goodwill. Clarke was detained at the scene and additional officers were requested. Responding officers apprehended Sander and Harvell who were running in a field east of Goodwill. Both subjects were taken into custody and the vehicle was towed to Richland County impound due to false plates on the vehicle and being unable to locate an owner. Clarke was informed he would be receiving traffic citations for several violations, and he was then released. During an inventory of the vehicle deputies discovered over 25 grams of methamphetamine, 1 gram of MDMA, digital scales, $398.00 in cash and other various items of drug paraphernalia.

Joshua D. Clark is wanted on several felony drug charges. A $500 cash reward is being offered for information that leads to his arrest. If you have information please call the Richland County Sheriff’s Department at 608-647-2106 or Crime Stoppers at 608-647-CLUE.

WHEN: 3/21/18          TIME of Incident:  02:52PM

WHO Involved:

  • Joshua D. Clarke, 30 of Richland Center, WI
  • Treagir J. Sander, 18 of Richland Center, WI
  • Brettlyn Harvell, 20 of Lone Rock, WI

Agencies Involved: Richland County Sheriff’s Department, Richland Center Police Department, and the Richland County District Attorney

WHERE Incident Happened: Goodwill Parking Lot, Richland Center, WI

ARREST or CHARGES:

  • Joshua D. Clarke (WANTED): Possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, possession of drug paraphernalia, felony bail jumping.
  • Treagir J. Sander: Possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, possession of drug paraphernalia, felony bail jumping, obstructing or resisting an officer.
  • Brettlyn Harvell: Warrants, obstructing or resisting

Traffic Contact Leads to K9 Deployment and Drug Arrest

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On 03-04-18, Sander was observed operating a vehicle in the City of Richland Center with a revoked driver’s license. Contact was made, and Sander was arrested and transported to the Richland County Jail. K9 Rambo was utilized for an open free-air sniff of the vehicle being operated by Sander and gave a positive alert to the odor of illegal narcotics. A search of the vehicle resulted in numerous baggies of a white crystal substance that later tested positive for methamphetamine. Glass smoking devices, a digital scale, and other items of drug paraphernalia were also located in a bag belonging to Sander inside the vehicle. Sander was also out on misdemeanor bond through Richland County for a previous Operating after Revocation arrest. Any suspicious activity can be reported to Richland County Crime Stoppers at 647-CLUE (2583).

WHEN: 3/4/18       TIME of Incident:  07:39PM

WHO Involved: Treagir J. Sander

Agencies Involved: Richland Center Police Department, Richland County Sheriff’s Department, and the Richland County District Attorney

WHERE Incident Happened: N. Jefferson Street & W. Mill Street

ARREST or CHARGES: Possession with Intent to Deliver Methamaphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Operating After Revocation, Bail Jumping

Arrest Made for Threatening Others with Gun and Drug Charges

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On Monday Feb 26th, 2018, at approximately 1:15pm, The Richland County Sheriff’s Department received a call of a man who had pulled a gun on another person at 26940 Comar Lane in Richland Township.  Richland County Deputies and Richland Center Police Officers responded.  When deputies arrived, witnesses stated that 37 year old Allen Gholson Jr. of Richland Center pointed a handgun at several people outside the residence.  Officers located Allen Gholson near the residence and detained him.  Gholson was later taken to the Richland County Jail, charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and disorderly conduct.  Other charges against Gholson are pending.  The occupant of the residence, Lori L. Oman age 47 of Richland Center, was arrested at the scene for felony bail jumping and transported to the Richland County Jail.

Deputies worked with the Richland County District Attorney’s Office to obtain a search warrant for the residence.  A request was also made to the Grant County Sheriff’s Department for assistance.  While executing the search warrant a gun believed to be the one used by Gholson was recovered. Deputies also discovered evidence of drug use in the home, and obtained and executed a second search warrant on the residence for drugs.  As a result, over 7 grams of methamphetamine that appeared packaged for sale was located and seized from the residence along with other drug paraphernalia.

Richland County Sheriff James J. Bindl noted the professional cooperation demonstrated between the agencies in this case to assure the safety of the officers and citizens.

Several other charges are pending with Richland County District Attorney Jennifer Harper.  The investigation continues.

WHEN: 02-26-2018          TIME of Incident:  1:15pm         Location: 26940 Comar Lane

Other Agencies Involved:
 Richland Center Police Department
Grant County Sheriff’s Department
Richland County District Attorney’s Office

 

Ninth Member of Methamphetamine Conspiracy Sentenced

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Richland Center Police Chief Lucas Clements would like to pass on a press release from the United States Department of Justice, involving the sentencing of a Richland County resident for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine. Local members from the Richland-Iowa-Grant Drug Task Force assisted several Federal, State, Out-of-State and Local law enforcement agencies during this lengthy investigation.

MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Joel Ringelstetter, 48, Lone Rock, Wis., was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to one year and one day in prison for knowingly and intentionally possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Ringelstetter pleaded guilty to this charge on November 21, 2017.

During sentencing, Judge Conley described Ringelstetter as a low-level dealer within a larger conspiracy. The larger operation was responsible for numerous pounds of methamphetamine shipped from California to Wisconsin. The amount attributable to Ringelstetter, conservatively, was over 10 ounces of methamphetamine. During a search of his home, law enforcement officers located drug paraphernalia and several firearms.

Ringelstetter and 10 other individuals were charged between four indictments returned by federal grand juries for their roles in this methamphetamine distribution conspiracy. Nine of the 11 individuals charged in the indictments have pleaded guilty; Ringelstetter is the ninth to be sentenced.

The charge against Ringelstetter was the result of an investigation conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation; Drug Enforcement Administration- Madison, Wisconsin and Los Angeles, California; Dane County Narcotics Task Force; Dane County Sheriff’s Department; Madison Police Department; UW-Madison Police Department; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Sauk County Drug Task Force; Richland-Iowa-Grant Drug Task Force; Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office; State Line Area Narcotics Team; and Rock County Special Investigations Unit. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Reinhard and Diane Schlipper.

Request for Formal Bid – 2 Sheriff Vehicles

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The Richland County Sheriff’s Department, under the authority of the Richland County Law Enforcement and Judiciary Committee, is currently accepting bids for the purchase of:

(1) Police Package 2018 Fleet/Non-Retail Ford Utility Police Interceptor AWD, 4 door K8A

(1) Special Service (PPV) 2019 Fleet/Non-Retail Pick Up Truck, 4 door 4×4

Bids must be received by Wednesday, February 7th, 2018 at 4:00p.m.   Bids will be accepted by U.S. Mail or hand delivery to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.

If mailing bids, address to:
Richland County Sheriff’s Department
Attn: Squad bids
181 W. Seminary St.
Richland Center, WI. 53581

Detailed bid specifications are available below or by request. Requests can be made by calling 608-647-8906 or through email to Chief Deputy Chad Kanable at chad.kanable@co.richland.wi.us.

Bidders will include all fees associated with the purchase. The bid you give will be a “drive away” figure and will include all dealer and licensing fees.

The vehicle will be delivered within 90 days of the order being placed.

Received bids will be reviewed by the Richland County Law Enforcement and Judiciary Committee. Richland County reserves the right to accept or reject any bid and will consider bids most advantageous to the County. Richland County reserves the right to accept or reject portions of bids. The County also reserves the right to reject all bids and consider purchase from the State of Wisconsin Cooperative Purchasing Program (State Bid).

2018 Ford Utility Police Interceptor AWD Spec Sheet

2018 Special Service Pickup Spec Sheet

Authority: Sheriff James J. Bindl
On behalf of the Richland County Law Enforcement and Judicial Committee

Burning Permits Required

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Due to the lack of snow cover in parts of Wisconsin, annual burning permits are in place.  Burning permits are free and easy to obtain. They encourage the public to burn safely and are proven to be effective in protecting lives, property and natural resources from the damages of wildfires.  Permits are required to be obtained and signed prior to burning.

The following counties have been updated to permits required: Columbia, Sauk, Dane, Iowa, Grant, Richland and Crawford.

Please continue to check the DNR website to check for permit status at:
https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/forestfire/permits.html

Christmas Day Crash Leads To Methamphetamine Arrest

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On 12/25/2017 at 6:55 am Deputies were dispatched to a one vehicle accident at County Hwy Q and County Hwy ZZ. Upon arrival Deputies located a 2016 Subaru in the ditch. Wesley M. Friederick was identified as the only occupant in the vehicle. Wesley Friederick said he was driving home from LaCrosse when he slide in to the ditch. Wesley Friederick had requested that Wegner Towing assist in removing the vehicle from the ditch. Once the vehicle was removed from the ditch Wesley Friederick gave deputies consent to perform a search of the vehicle. During the search of the vehicle deputies located a clear plastic bag with a substance suspected to be methamphetamine. A field test confirmed the bag contained methamphetamine which had a gross weight of 10.6 grams. Deputies also seized a digital scale and a butane torch from Wesley Friederick.

WHEN: 12/25/2017       TIME of Incident:  06:55am

WHO Involved: Wesley M. Friederick

Agencies Involved: Richland County Sheriff’s Department and the Richland County District Attorney

WHERE Incident Happened: Near the intersection of County Highway Q and County Hwy ZZ in Dayton Township

ARREST or CHARGES: 961.41(3g)(g) Possession of Methamphetamine, 961.41(1m)(e)3 Possession of Methamphetamine with intent to deliver (greater than 10 grams but less than 50 grams), 961.573 Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

 

Two Arrested on Methamphetamine Charges

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RICHLAND CENTER POLICE DEPARTMENT
Press Release
December 21st, 2017

The Richland Center Police Department reports that two subjects were taken into custody on methamphetamine charges early Thursday, December 21st.

Chief of Police Lucas Clements states that at approximately 1:00 a.m. on December 21st Officers with the Richland Center Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle within the City of Richland Center for an equipment violation. During the normal course of the traffic stop, K-9 Rambo, from the Richland County Sheriff’s Department was deployed. K-9 Rambo gave a positive indication on the vehicle for the presence of narcotics.

The driver and a passenger in the vehicle were removed. Upon their removal, Officers observed the two begin to act nervous and reach inside their pockets. Subsequent investigation recovered methamphetamine from both parties.

As a result, the driver of the vehicle, Lori L. Oman, 47, of Sextonville was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, operating while under the influence of a controlled substance-4th offense, misdemeanor bail jumping, and cited for operating after suspension.

The passenger, Joshua D. Clarke, 30, of Richland Center was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and felony bail jumping.

Charges for both Oman and Clarke will be forwarded to Richland County District Attorney Jennifer Harper for prosecution.

Chief Clements adds, “This is yet another fine example of the alert work that our Officers and Deputies do each day and night to keep our community safe.”

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Third Member of Methamphetamine Conspiracy Sentenced

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RICHLAND CENTER POLICE DEPARTMENT
Press Release
November 17th, 2017

Richland Center Police Chief Lucas Clements would like to pass on a press release from the United States Department of Justice, involving the sentencing of a Richland County resident for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine. Local members from the Richland-Iowa-Grant Drug Task Force assisted several Federal, State, Out-of-State and Local law enforcement agencies during this lengthy investigation.

MADISON, WIS. — Jeffrey M. Anderson, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that James Nehls, 31, Lone Rock, Wis., was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to seven years in federal prison for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine. Nehls pleaded guilty to this charge on August 31, 2017.

The amount of methamphetamine attributable to Nehls was approximately 42 ounces. During sentencing, Judge Conley described the amount of methamphetamine distributed through this entire conspiracy as “staggering” for Madison.

Nehls and seven other individuals were charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in March for their roles in this methamphetamine distribution conspiracy. Seven of the eight individuals charged in the indictment have pleaded guilty; Nehls is the third to be sentenced.

The charge against Nehls was the result of an investigation conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation; Drug Enforcement Administration- Madison, Wisconsin and Los Angeles, California; Dane County Narcotics Task Force; Dane County Sheriff’s Department; Madison Police Department; UW-Madison Police Department; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Sauk County Drug Task Force; Richland-Iowa-Grant Drug Task Force; Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office; State Line Area Narcotics Team; and Rock County Special Investigations Unit. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Reinhard and Diane Schlipper.

Chief Clements adds that, “There are other local parties involved with this federal investigation that are awaiting adjudication in the Federal Court system.”

 

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