Richland County Sheriff's Office

Cryptocurrency Scams on the Rise

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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:

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.

 

Plane Crash near Richland Airport Results in Serious Injuries

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WHEN: 02/22/2024
TIME of Incident: 6:05 PM

WHO Involved: Mark Baenen, 54, of Spring Green, WI

WHERE Incident Happened: County Hwy BA just north of Nebraska Hollow Road

What happened: Sheriff Clay Porter reports that on 2/22/2024 at approximately 6:05pm, Richland County Dispatch received a 911 call regarding a plane that had crashed near the Sextonville airport on County Highway BA. The plan was located south of County Highway BA in a field, just north of Nebraska Hollow Road. Deputies and emergency personnel arrived on scene shortly after the call to assist in the extrication of the male party from the airplane. UW med flight was contacted and transported the patient to UW Hospital for his injuries. After the scene was cleared, The National Transportation Safety Board was contacted in regards to the crash.

Other Agencies Involved:  Richland Center Police Department, Richland Center Fire, Lone Rock EMS, Ithaca First Responders, UW Medflight

Woman Sustains Life Threatening Injuries After Falling From Moving UTV

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WHEN: 02/14/2024
TIME of Incident: 8:40 PM

WHO Involved: Devin J. Rego, 25, of Cazenovia, WI
Amber L. Markunas, 35, of Wisconsin Dells, WI

WHERE Incident Happened: County Hwy V, East of Germantown

What happened: On 2/14/24, at approximately 8:40pm, Richland County Dispatch received a 911 call regarding a female party who had fallen out of a moving UTV on County Hwy V near Cazenovia. Deputies and emergency medical personnel arrived and located the female unresponsive, but breathing and determined that she was a passenger in the UTV. Contact was made with the driver, 25 year old Devin Rego of Cazenovia who was still on scene. While speaking with Rego, deputies observed signs of alcohol impairment and he was subsequently arrested for Operating an ATV/UTV While Intoxicated Causing Injury. The injured female was identified as 35 year old Amber Markunas of Wisconsin Dells and was transported via Med Flight to UW Hospital for life threatening injuries. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources was contacted and will be assisting in the ongoing investigation.

Other Agencies Involved:  Cazenovia EMS, Cazenovia Fire, UW Med Flight, Wisconsin DNR, Reedsburg Paramedics

Traffic Stop Leads to Drug Arrest

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WHEN: 01/29/2024
TIME of Incident: 1:30 AM

WHO Involved: Donald Mcculloch, 30, of Soldiers Grove, WI
Raevyn Hicks, 19, of Viola, WI

WHERE Incident Happened: City of Richland Center

What happened: Sheriff Clay Porter reports that a sergeant of the Richland County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop in the city of Richland Center for the sole registered owner of the vehicle showing to have a revoked license. During the traffic stop, the sergeant developed enough reasonable suspicion to call for a K9. Sergeant Schildgen deployed K9 Aron for an exterior vehicle sniff and K9 Aron alerted to the presence of narcotic odor. Officers located 14.4g of methamphetamine, items of drug paraphernalia and a large amount of cash on the two occupants. Both occupants were arrested and all charges will be forwarded to the Richland County district attorney’s office.

Sheriff Porter would like to remind you that if you would like to anonymously report any criminal activity, you can do so by calling Richland County crime stoppers at 608-647-Clue (2583) or submit a tip at www.p3tips.com

Other Agencies Involved:  Richland Center Police Department

Bicyclist Struck & Killed By Vehicle

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WHEN: 12/14/2023
TIME of Incident: 3:24 PM

WHO Involved: Roderic Pulvermacher, 64, of Hill Point, WI
Harvey Bastian, 71, of Muscoda, WI

WHERE Incident Happened: County Highway O, just south of the intersection of Cardinal Crest Rd

What happened: Sheriff Clay Porter reports on 12/14/2023 at approximately 3:24 P.M. vehicle driven by Pulvermacher was traveling south on CTH O following farm equipment also traveling south on CTH O. Pulvermacher advised deputies that while traveling south on CTH O he was unable to see due to the sun in his eyes and struck Bastian, who was also traveling south on CTH O on a E-bike. Upon deputy’s arrival on scene they located Bastian in the north ditch line and started life saving measures. Vehicle and E-bike remained in the south lane of traffic. Bastian was transported by Richland EMS to the Richland Hospital and was later pronounced deceased. Vehicle operator had no injuries from the crash and did voluntarily submit to a blood draw. At this time there is no evidence of impairment by the operator of the vehicle. The crash is still under investigation by Wisconsin State Patrol and the Richland County Sheriff’s Office.

Other Agencies Involved: Richland Fire, Richland EMS, Richland Center Police Department, WI State Patrol

Two Vehicle Crash Leads to Two Injuries

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WHEN: 11/20/2023
TIME of Incident: 8:10 AM

WHO Involved: Richland Sewell, 51, of Milwaukee, WI
Kyle Kleppe, 25, of Blanchardville, WI

WHERE Incident Happened: Hwy 60 and Hwy 193

What happened: Sheriff Clay Porter reports that a straight truck driven by Richard Sewell was traveling east on Hwy 60 west of Hwy 193 when it crossed the centerline into oncoming traffic. Kyle Kleppe was traveling west on Hwy 60 in a Dodge 4500 and attempted to avoid the crash but was struck head on. Sewell was ejected from the straight truck and Kleppe was assisted out of his truck by another motorist. Both parties were transported to Richland Hospital by Muscoda and Blue River EMS. Sewell was later transferred to UW Hospital for his injuries. Muscoda Fire was requested for traffic control and scene clean up. Hwy 60 was closed approximately 1.5 hours. Wisconsin State Patrol was requested for vehicle inspections on both commercial vehicles. This crash is still under investigation.

Other Agencies Involved: Muscoda Fire, Muscoda EMS, Blue River EMS, WI State Patrol

Traffic Stop Leads to Three Drug Arrests

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WHEN: 10/13/2023
TIME of Incident: 5:00 AM

WHO Involved: Devante White, 31, of Milwaukee, WI
Latrice Frazier, 21, of Milwaukee, WI
Cindy Elmore, 30, of Milwaukee, WI

WHERE Incident Happened: City of Richland Center

What happened: Sheriff Clay Porter reports that on 10/13/2023 just before 5 am, a Sgt. of the Richland County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop for not stopping at a stop sign in downtown Richland Center. During that traffic stop, K9 Aron was deployed for an exterior vehicle sniff and alerted to the trunk of the vehicle. All three occupants were detained and the vehicle was searched. During a search of the vehicle, officers located 13.7 grams of Fentanyl, 23.4 grams of Marijuana, a loaded 9mm handgun, and several items of drug paraphernalia. All three occupants were arrested and transported to the Richland County Jail.

Sheriff Porter would like to remind you that if you would like to report any drug activity or crime, you can contact Richland County Crime Stoppers at 608-647-CLUE (2583), or put a tip in through P3 tips.

ARREST or CHARGES: Devante White – Possession of THC, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Latrice Frazier – Possession of a Schedule I Narcotic, Possess Controlled Substance within 1000 ft of a jail, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Possession with Intent to Deliver Controlled Substance, Possession of THC, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Cindy Elmore – Possession of Schedule I Narcotic, Possession of Controlled Substance, Possess Controlled Substance within 1000 ft of a jail, Manufacture/Deliver THC, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Other Agencies Involved: Richland Center Police Department

Request For Squad Bids – 10/13/2024

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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 as described below to purchase two (2) police package squad vehicles:

Police Package Dodge Durango SUV 4 door AWD

RAM 1500 Tradesman Crew Cab 4×4

FORD F-150 Supercrew XL 4×4

Detailed Bid Specifications

Bids must be received by Thursday, November 2nd, 2023 at 4:00p.m.

Bids will be accepted by U.S. Mail, email or hand delivery to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. If mailing or delivering bids, mark the envelope “Attention: Squad Bids”. Electronic bids should be sent to amber.muckler@co.richland.wi.us and put Squad Bids in the subject line.

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

Requests can be made by calling 608-647-8906 ext. 3 or through email to Administrative Office Manager Amber Muckler at amber.muckler@co.richland.wi.us.

Bids 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 180 days of the order being placed.

Received bids will be reviewed by the Richland County Public Safety 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.

Authority: Sheriff Clay J. Porter
On behalf of the Richland County Public Safety Committee

Missing Pleasant Prairie Man Located Deceased In Richland County

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WHEN: 10/03/2023
TIME of Incident: 12:35 PM

WHERE Incident Happened: Marshall Township

What happened: On October 3rd, 2023 at approximately 12:35pm, The Richland County Dispatch Center received a call from a family member of missing person- John Anderson, stating that he had located the vehicle crashed in a wooded area off of County Hwy A in rural Richland County. Sheriff’s Deputies responded and confirmed that it was Anderson’s vehicle and located Anderson deceased inside. Richland Fire and The Richland County Coroner were contacted and arrived on scene a short while later. A thorough investigation on scene lead deputies to believe that Anderson had a serious medical incident while operating the vehicle, causing the crash. Wisconsin State Patrol was later contacted to extract the vehicle information and an autopsy was completed which confirmed the cause of death being a medical condition.

The Richland County Sheriff’s Office would like to extend a big thank you to the all of the agencies that assisted with the investigation as well as the family and friends whom assisted in the search. Our sympathy is with his family and friends during this difficult time.

Other Agencies Involved: Richland County Sheriff’s Office, Richland Center Fire Department, Richland County Coroner, Pleasant Prairie Police Department, and the Wisconsin State Patrol

Rollover Crash leads to OWI Arrest

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WHEN: 10/01/23
TIME of Incident: 5:13 PM

WHO Involved: Kenneth Mickelson, 17, of Viola WI

WHERE Incident Happened: State Highway 56 and County Highway MM

What happened: Sheriff Porter reports that on 10/01/2023 at approximately 5:15pm, Deputies responded to the report of a one vehicle rollover on State Hwy 56 near the intersection of County Hwy MM with unknown injuries. Once on scene, deputies located the driver who showed signs of being under the influence of alcohol. After Standardized Field Sobriety Testing and a Preliminary Breath Test result of .29, Deputies placed the driver Kenneth Mickelson under arrest for Operating While Under the Influence (1st Offense). Sheriff Porter would like to thank Viola Fire and EMS for their assistance.

Other Agencies Involved: Viola EMS and Viola Fire Department