Richland County Sheriff's Office

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign

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Alcohol-related crashes killed 190 people in Wisconsin last year. We’re trying to save lives and prevent injuries. The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is participating in the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” national enforcement campaign from December 15 to January 1.

Before you go out, make plans to get home safely. The WisDOT has a free “Zero In Wisconsin Drive Sober” mobile app. This app includes a find-a-ride feature that uses a smart phone’s GPS system to locate alternative transportation, a blood alcohol estimator, designated driver selector, and interactive games to help determine whether someone should give up their car keys.

Drug Task Force Investigation Leads to Arrests

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Sheriff James Bindl of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department reports that on November 17, 2016, three Viola, WI residents were arrested for drug charges as a result of an investigation conducted by members of the Richland-Iowa-Grant Drug Task Force.

Nicole M. Titus, 31, and Kevin D. Branch, 39, from Viola were and tentatively charged for  possession of methamphetamine’s (meth), possession of THC (marijuana), possession of schedule IV drug, possession of drug paraphernalia, maintaining a drug house and numerous bail jumping charges.

Quienterrio O. Henderson, 37, of Viola was arrested and tentatively charged with possession of schedule I and II narcotic, possession of drug paraphernalia, maintaining a drug house, and numerous bail jumping charges.

Methamphetamine is a highly addictive stimulant that can have long-lasting effects on your body. This is a man-made substance that is also known as, crystal meth, and is often found in the form of a rock-like crystal that is usually a semi-transparent white or blue color. This substance is always illegal and has no other purpose than for abuse.

All charges have been forwarded to Richland County District Attorney Jennifer Harper for prosecution.

Assisting with the investigation were members of the Richland County Special Response Team (SRT) which consists of Deputies from the Richland County Sheriff’s Office and Officers from the Richland Center Police Department. Also assisting was the Viola Police Department, Viola EMS and Fire Department, and the Vernon County Sheriff’s Department.

Sheriff Bindl would like to point out the effort of the Richland-Iowa-Grant Drug Task Force and Special Response Team members in regards to this investigation. Sheriff Bindl notes the results of this investigation show the reality of what law enforcement faces daily, whether on patrol or working a drug investigation and the presence of these dangerous drugs in our community.

Sheriff Bindl along with Richland Center Police Chief Lucas Clements would like to remind citizens that their assistance is vital in combating the use and distribution of drugs within our community. Anyone witnessing suspected drug activity within their community are encouraged to notify law enforcement or Richland County Crime Stoppers at 608-647-CLUE (2583), where callers may remain anonymous and could be eligible for a cash reward.

ATV Accident Claims Life of Cazenovia Man

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The Richland County Sheriff’s Department Communications Center received a 911 call at 12:55pm (12/1/16) of an ATV rollover with injuries on Jungle Bar Lane in Westford township. Timothy J. Donovan, 26, of Cazenovia was attempting to unload a Foreman 4 wheeler from a trailer in the driveway at 13433 Jungle Bar Lane. As he backed the unit off the trailer, the unit rolled backward down the driveway and flipped end over end with Donovan on the machine. It landed on its wheels and continued across the roadway, coming to rest against a fence post. Witnesses to the incident called 911 and began CPR on Donovan, but he was pronounced dead at the scene by the Coroners Office. He was not wearing a helmet. Assisting at the scene was the Cazenovia EMS and Fire Departments, the WI. DNR and the Richland County Coroners Office.

Richland County Sheriff’s Department

 

Request For Squad Car Bids

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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 one (1) Police Package 2017 Fleet/Non-Retail Chevrolet Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle, 4 door sedan. Unit to be delivered within 90 days of the order being placed.

Bids must be received by Wednesday, November 30, 2016 at 4:00p.m.   Bids will be accepted by U.S. Mail or hand delivery to the Sheriff’s Department.

If mailing bids, address to:
Squad Car Bids
c/o Chief Deputy Chad Kanable
Richland County Sheriff’s Department
181 W. Seminary St.
Richland Center, WI.  53581
Detailed Specs:
Detailed Bid Specifications   Requests can be made by calling 608-647-8906 or via email to Chief Deputy Chad Kanable.

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.

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).

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

Three Vehicle Injury Accident

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A semi tractor trailer was pulling out of a driveway onto US Hwy 14, west of Boaz, when a smaller passenger car that was traveling east struck the semi tractor in the rear axel.  As passers by were checking on the injured people in the car, another eastbound vehicle collided with the semi trailer, coming to rest partially under the trailer.  There was total road blockage.  The occupants of the passenger car were assisted out of the vehicle.  The driver of the second vehicle was pinned in the wreckage and was extricated by the Richland Center Fire Department’s Jaws of Life.  The driver of the semi was not injured.  The three injured persons were transported by Richland County EMS to the Richland Hospital.  One party was later flown by Med Flight to a Madison Hospital and another taken by Baraboo Ambulance Service to Madison.  Their conditions are not known at this time.

The investigation is on going at this time. No names have been released.

The Sheriff’s Department was assisted at the scene by Richland County EMS, Baraboo EMS, Med Flight, Richland Center Fire Department, Richland County Highway Department and the Wisconsin State Patrol.

A Dose of Reality for Our Community

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It’s not shocking anymore to hear about prescription painkillers and heroin abuse in Wisconsin communities. Law enforcement, elected officials, school officials, and the media – everyone is talking about the epidemic that is stealing futures and lives.

Chief Lucas Clements wants to inform the community that, on October 22, they can do something to help prevent this epidemic from spreading further. The Richland Center Police Department will be hosting a Drug Take Back Day, joining a national initiative to get all those unused prescription and over-the-counter drugs out of your medicine cabinet and safely destroyed.

70% of people who are addicted to prescription opioids got their first pills not from a street dealer, but improperly from a family member or friend. To help keep our community safe, please take advantage of this free service provided on the upcoming Drug Take Back Day.

Drug overdoses kill more people than car accidents in Wisconsin, and the largest number of those deaths aren’t caused by “hard street drugs.” In fact, prescription narcotic painkillers contribute to more deaths than heroin and cocaine combined. With more than 163,000 Wisconsinites addicted to prescription opioids, we all have a role in preventing that number from increasing.

On Saturday, October 22, go to the Richland Center Police Department between 10 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to stop this epidemic from taking an even bigger hold on our community and state. Here’s what you can bring:

Do Bring: Prescription (controlled and non-controlled) and over-the-counter medications, ointments, patches, inhalers, non-aerosol sprays, creams, vials, and pet medications.

Do Not Bring: Illegal drugs, needles/sharps, acids, aerosol cans, bio-hazardous materials (anything containing a bodily fluid or blood), personal care products (shampoo, soaps, lotions, and sunscreens), household hazardous waste (paint, pesticides, oil, and gas), and mercury thermometers.

  • Participants may dispose of solid, non-liquid medication(s) by removing the medication from its container and disposing of it directly into a disposal box or into a clear sealable plastic bag. Plastic pill containers should not be collected. Blister packages without the medications being removed are acceptable.

 

  • Liquids will be accepted during this initiative. However, the liquids, creams, and sprays must be in their original packaging. Liquids without the original packaging will not be accepted.
  • Illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamine are not a part of this initiative and should not be placed in collection containers.

Chief Clements states that every citizen in our community and across this state can play a role in solving this epidemic: use prescriptions only as prescribed to you, store prescriptions securely, properly dispose of unused prescriptions, and help spread the important message about safe prescription use. Please go to http://www.doseofrealitywi.gov/ to learn more about how we can make our community safer and healthier.

Trespassing Complaint leads to K9 Track and OWI Arrest

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On October 11th, 2016, shortly before 9 pm, deputies were dispatched to a female subject trespassing in a large field just east of County Hwy O in Orion Township. When deputies arrived on scene, a vehicle was found abandoned in a private field approximately .8 miles from the roadway.  Next to the vehicle was a bottle of Vodka laying just outside the driver side door. Multiple commands were given over the squad’s loud speaker for the suspect to turn herself in. After no response from the suspect, K9 Rambo was deployed for a open area search/track in an attempt to find the individual. K9 Rambo led deputies through multiple fields and eventually located the female subject hiding in tall grass and weeds near a power pole. The suspect, who was later identified as Jennifer J. Storkson, 38 yrs old of Cazenovia, was taken into custody and charged with Operating Under the Influence of an Intoxicant 1st Offense. This charge is being forwarded to the Richland County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

Who Involved: Jennifer J. Storkson, 38 of Cazenovia

Charges: 346.63 (1)(a) Operating Under the Influence of Intoxicant, 1st Offense

Other Agencies Involved: Richland Center Police Department

– Richland County Sheriff’s Department

Search Warrant Leads to Drug Charges

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The Richland County Sheriff reports that on September 10th, 2016 a search warrant was executed at the residence at 18677 STH 60 in Eagle Township. During the search warrant various articles were found which law enforcement recognized as evidence that a “one-pot” style methamphetamine lab had been operational in, or around, the residence. As a result of the subsequent investigation, the following subjects were taken into custody on numerous tentative charges.

Robert J.E. Schoener, 26, of Eagle Township was arrested on the tentative charges of Manufacture/Deliver Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine, Maintaining a Drug Trafficking Place, two counts of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and misdemeanor Bail Jumping.

Stephen J. Szuflita, 40, of Eagle Township was arrested on the tentative charges of Maintaining a Drug Trafficking Place, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Resisting/Obstructing an Officer, and multiple counts of felony Bail Jumping.

Regina M. Heather, 42, of Richland Center was arrested on the tentative charges of Resisting/Obstructing an Officer and felony Bail Jumping.

Bruce Travis, 34 of Orion, was arrested on tentative charges of Resisting/Obstructing an Officer and a probation violation.

The investigation has been forwarded to the Richland County District Attorney’s Office for consideration of formal charges against the above parties.

Assisting the Richland County Sheriff’s Department in the investigation were members from the Richland Center Police Department, the Richland-Iowa-Grant Drug Task Force, the WI Department of Justice-Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Richland County District Attorney’s Office. The Muscoda Fire Department, and Muscoda EMS assisted at the scene.

Sheriff Jim Bindl stated that this is another example that methamphetamine use continues to be a problem in our community. Sheriff Bindl added that the manufacturing of methamphetamine is an extremely dangerous process that creates a large amount of waste, all of which is hazardous material. The public is encouraged to contact law enforcement immediately if suspected methamphetamine, or anything that was used to manufacture it, is discovered. At no point should any of this material be handled without specialized equipment.

Online resources, such as www.methproject.org, are available for anyone interested in learning more about the dangers and signs of methamphetamine manufacturing and use. Anyone with information on drug, or any criminal activity, can call the Richland Area Crime Stoppers at 647-CLUE (2583). Callers may remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.

Arrest made for OWI 9th Offense

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On Saturday, July 2nd, at approximately 7:28 pm a male party was seen by deputies entering his vehicle outside the Steel Horse Bar in the Village of Gotham with what appeared to be an open alcoholic beverage in his hand.  Deputies attempted to make contact with the subject as he started his vehicle and began backing up, the subject did come to a stop on 3rd Street.  The driver of the vehicle was found to be impaired and arrested for OWI 9th offense.  The driver also did not have a valid driver’s license and was charged with operating after revocation along with possessing an open intoxicant in a motor vehicle.

Who Involved: Mark E. Wastlick, 54 of Gotham, WI

Charges: OWI 9th Offense, Operating after Revocation, Possession of Open Intoxicant in Motor Vehicle

– Richland County Sheriff’s Department

Richland Center Man Arrested for Drug Delivery Charges

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Harrison E. Schwichtenberg

Harrison E. Schwichtenberg

Chief Lucas Clements of the Richland Center Police Department reports that a Richland Center man has been arrested for a drug delivery charge as a result of an investigation into a near fatal overdose that occurred at a residence in Richland Center late last week.

Harrison E. Schwichtenberg, 25, of Richland Center has been arrested and tentatively charged with Delivery of a Schedule IV drug, a Class H Felony.

Chief Clements stated the investigation, which was conducted by officers from the Richland Center Police Department and the Richland-Iowa-Grant Drug Task Force, discovered that the victim had purchased the prescription pills from Schwichtenberg, which ultimately led to the near fatal overdose.

Chief Clements commented that, not only is this case a prime example of the dangers associated with illegal prescription pill distribution and abuse, it is also an example of local law enforcement’s dedication to investigate these cases to the fullest extent.  Chief Clements added that, because of the danger it presents to the community, combating illegal prescription pill diversion has been, and will continue to be, a priority of the Richland Center Police Department and Richland-Iowa-Grant Drug Task Force.

At the time of Schwichtenberg’s arrest he was out on bond for a previous arrest for manufacture/delivery of non-narcotics and possession of a controlled substance. As a result, Schwichtenberg may also potentially be facing various bail jumping charges.  This case has been referred to the Richland County District Attorney’s Office for formal charges to be filed.

Chief Clements advised that citizen assistance is paramount in combating the distribution of drugs within our community.  Anyone witnessing suspected drug activity in the city is encouraged to contact the Richland Center Police Department at 608-647-2103 or Richland County Crime Stoppers at 647-CLUE (2583), where callers may remain anonymous and could be eligible for a cash reward.