WHO Involved: Scott Warren Pfeil, 28, of Lone Rock, WI

WHERE Incident Happened: 29003 Richard Street, Lone Rock (Sextonville), WI 53556

What happened: Sheriff Clay Porter reports that the Richland County Sheriff’s Office was assigned a CyberTip as an affiliated member of the Wisconsin Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Taskforce for reported possession of child pornography.

On November 13th, 2024, Deputies completed a search warrant as a result of this investigation. Deputies took into custody, Scott Warren Pfeil, 28 years old from Sextonville, for 10 counts of Possession of Child Pornography and one count of Felony Bail Jumping. At the time of the arrest of Scott Pfeil, he currently has a Diversion Agreement through Richland County for similar reported acts in 2021.

The Richland County Sheriff’s Office was assisted in this investigation by Wisconsin ICAC Taskforce, Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigation (DCI)-Digital Evidence Unit (DEU), Richland Center Police Department, and Lone Rock EMS.

Sheriff Porter would like to remind all that if they wish to report crimes or drug information, they can contact Richland County Crime Stoppers at (608) 647-CLUE(2583) or submit a tip at p3tips.com. Those utilizing these resources can remain anonymous.

ARREST or CHARGES: Possession of Child Pornography- 10 Counts
Felony Bail Jumping- 1 Count

WHO Involved: Carter M Heisz, 20, of Lone Rock, WI
Taiten R Rosenbaum, 19, Sauk City, WI

WHERE Incident Happened: State Highway 130 at Marble Quarry Road

What happened: On 10/21/2024 at approximately 5:48am, The Richland County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a 1 vehicle roll over crash on State HWY 130, North of County HWY T. Upon receiving the call, Deputies along with the Lone Rock Fire Department, Lone Rock EMS, Richland Center EMS, and UW Med Flight were requested to respond to the scene. Sauk County Sheriff’s Department was also requested to assist. It was reported to Richland County Dispatch that there were 2 parties injured in the crash, one of which was ejected from the vehicle. During the investigation of the scene and statements from the ejected passenger, Taiten Rosenbaum (19), it was found that the subject vehicle, operated by Carter Heisz (20), was traveling northbound on State HWY 130 when they struck a deer. This caused Heisz to loose control of the vehicle and enter the east ditch and overturn multiple times. Neither party was believed to be wearing a seatbelt. Rosenbaum was ejected from the vehicle and Heisz was entrapped in the vehicle. Heisz was pronounced deceased of scene by Richland County Coroner’s Office. Rosenbaum was transported to the Richland Hospital, then transferred to UW Hospital for believed non-life threatening injuries. Speed is believed to have been a factor in the crash.

Other Agencies Involved: Lone Rock EMS, Lone Rock Fire Department, Richland County EMS, Wegner Auto Service, UW Med Flight, Ithaca First Responders, Sauk County Sheriff’s Department and Richland County Coroners Office.

WHO Involved: Kai Wang, 56, of Lake Forest, IL
Sabrina Rider, 46, Richland Center, WI

WHERE Incident Happened: US Highway 14 and Jay Lane

What happened: On October 14, 2024, at 3:45 PM, Richland County Dispatch received a report of a two-vehicle head-on crash with possible injuries at the intersection of US Highway 14 and Jay Lane. Deputies responded promptly to the scene, where the initial investigation revealed that Kai Wang was traveling westbound on US Highway 14 when he crossed over the center line into the eastbound lane.

Meanwhile, Sabrina Rider was driving eastbound on the same highway and spotted Wang’s vehicle in her lane. Unfortunately, both drivers were unable to avoid the impending collision and crashed head-on.

Sabrina required extrication from her vehicle by the Lone Rock Fire Department before being transported to Richland Hospital by Lone Rock EMS. Due to the severity of her injuries, she was later airlifted to UW Hospital via UW Med Flight for further treatment. Kai was also transported to Richland Hospital for his injuries by Richland County Ambulance.

Wegner Auto Service was called to the scene to remove both vehicles involved in the accident.

Other Agencies Involved: Lone Rock EMS, Lone Rock Fire Department, Richland County EMS, Wegner Auto Service, UW Med Flight

Arrest or Charges: Accident still under investigation

WHO Involved: Joseph J. Palfrey, 35, of Richland Center, WI

WHERE Incident Happened: County Highway C, South of Yuba

What happened: On 08/25/2024, Richland County Dispatch received a 911 call of a motorcycle crash on County Hwy C just south of Yuba. Deputies and other emergency personnel arrived on scene and after further investigation, they were able to determine that the operator, Joseph Palfrey, 35 of Richland Center was traveling northbound on County Highway C when he hit a bump in the roadway, causing the motorcycle to lose control and eject Palfrey. Life saving measures were performed, but Palfrey was pronounced deceased on scene.

Other Agencies Involved: Yuba Fire Department, Yuba First Responders, Richland County EMS, UW Med Flight

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: Shawn A. Mohn, 60, of Richland Center, WI

WHERE Incident Happened: State HWY 80 & Candlewood Ln

What happened: On 07/17/24 at approximately 9:00am, Richland County Dispatch received several calls regarding a cement truck that had overturned on State Hwy 80 near Candlewood Ln. Emergency personnel responded and located the truck blocking both lanes of traffic and quickly shutdown Hwy 80. The operator, Shawn Mohn of Muscoda who had perviously lost consciousness, was located inside the vehicle, but was not trapped. Medical aid was provided and UW Medflight was requested for Mohn’s injuries.

An investigation of the crash scene determined that Mohn was operating the cement truck southbound on State Hwy 80 when the truck lost control, struck several guardrails , and overturned coming to rest on it’s side at Candlewood Ln. The truck was removed by Wegner Towing.

The cause of this crash is unknown at this time and the investigation is ongoing.

Other Agencies Involved: Richland EMS, Richland Fire, UW Medflight

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

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