WHERE Incident Happened: Viola

What happened: **Update: “The juvenile has been taken into custody in the city of La Crosse and will be referred to juvenile authorities.”**

The Richland County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of a series of burglaries in Viola late last night/early this morning. Three juveniles, whose identities are being withheld due to their age, are believed to have stolen a vehicle in the City of LaCrosse and subsequently broke into multiple cars, stealing various items from local Viola residents. The incident began when the juveniles stole a vehicle and drove to Viola, where they committed several vehicle-related burglaries. Law enforcement officers quickly located the stolen vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The suspect vehicle eluded law enforcement through the Village of Viola and ultimately Westbound on State Hwy 56 into Vernon County, during which the stolen vehicle left the roadway and became disabled. After the vehicle became disabled, the occupant/driver of the stolen vehicle fled on foot. Two of the juveniles involved in these burglaries were located and apprehended in the Village of Viola and were not occupants in the fleeing vehicle. One individual remains at large at the time of this release. The Sheriff’s Office along with several local agencies have mobilized additional resources to locate and apprehend the remaining suspect.

Sheriff Clay Porter states “We are actively investigating this incident and working to ensure the safety and security of our community.” “We urge anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the remaining suspect to come forward and assist us in bringing this case to a swift resolution.” Sheriff Porter also encourages the residents of Viola to check their property, specifically vehicles to see if they have been damaged or broken into and report any information to the Sheriff’s office. Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.

Other Agencies Involved: Viola Police Department, Vernon County Sheriff’s Office, LaCrosse Police Department, Lafarge Fire Department

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: Benjamin Peterson, 29, of Mazomanie, WI

WHERE Incident Happened: State Highway 60 at County Highway TB

What happened: On 5-17-24 at approximately 7:18pm, a traffic stop was attempted by the Richland County Sheriff’s Office on a motorcycle being operated on State Hwy 60. The driver, later identified as 29 year old Benjamin Peterson, began fleeing the deputy while heading eastbound at a high rate of speed. Deputies decided to terminate the pursuit in the interest of public safety, near Schmidt Ln. after Peterson passed a car in a no passing zone towards on coming traffic. After deputies deactivated their emergency lights and siren, they checked the area and were unable to locate Peterson or his motorcycle. A short time later, Richland County Dispatch received a 911 call about a possible motorcycle crash on STH 60, near CTH TB. Deputies arrived on scene and provided medical care with the assist of bystanders until EMS arrived. Lone Rock EMS began medical care and transported Peterson to Gotham where UW Medflight was waiting. Peterson was identified as the suspect involved in the pursuit and was showing signs of impairment during his contact with law enforcement. The motorcycle was later located several hundred feet in the woods , not visible from the road. The Richland County Sheriff’s Office was assisted on the scene by Lone Rock Fire, Muscoda Fire, UW Medflight, and the Richland Center Police Department. The UW Police Department assisted deputies with the OWI investigation.

Other Agencies Involved: Richland Center Police Department, Lone Rock Fire Department, Lone Rock EMS, Muscoda Fire Department, UW Medflight, UW Police Department

ARREST or CHARGES: Flee/Elude Law Enforcement, Felony Bail Jumping, OWI, and 2nd Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety

WHO Involved: Kadin Dilley, 23, of Blue River, WI
Emily Burghagen, 19, of Richland Center, WI
Malaki Herbeck, 19, of Muscoda, WI

WHERE Incident Happened: County Highway Q at Jackson Drive

What happened: Sheriff Clay Porter reports on 05/10/2024 at approximately 5:12am, The Richland County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a 2 vehicle crash at the intersection of County Highway Q and Jackson Drive, near the Town of Boaz. The Richland County Sheriff’s Office, as well as Richland EMS and the Richland Center Fire Department responded to the scene. Upon arrival, medical care was provided for the injured parties and an investigation into the crash was conducted. Based on observations of the scene and statements from those involved, it is believed that the driver- Emily Burghagen and passenger- Malaki Herbeck were traveling southbound on Jackson Drive when they failed to stop at the stop sign at the intersection of County Highway Q. At the same time, Kadin Dilly was traveling westbound on County Highway Q. Burghagen’s failure to stop at the stop sign resulted in her vehicle pulling out to travel Eastbound on County Highway Q in front of Dilly’s vehicle. This caused the front of Dilley’s vehicle to strike Burghagen’s vehicle in the driver’s door area. The crash resulted in what is believed to be non-life threatening injuries to Burghagen and Herbeck. Both parties were transported by Richland EMS to the Richland Hospital. Burghagen admitted to consuming alcohol the night prior/early morning hours of 5/10/24. The alcohol consumption is believed to have been a factor in the crash. The Richland County Sheriff’s Office was assisted on scene by Richland EMS, Richland Center Fire Department and Wegner’s Auto. This incident is still under investigation.

Other Agencies Involved:  Richland EMS, Richland Center Fire Department, Wegner Auto

ARREST or CHARGES: 346.63(2) – OWI Causing Injury

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:

• Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) at https://www.cftc.gov/complaint
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) at https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov
• Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at https://www.ic3.gov/
• U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) at https://www.sec.gov/tcr

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.