FBI – Federal Bureau of Investigation

March 31, 2020

Looking for some more information about COVID-19 fraud? The United States Department of Justice set up a new website to consolidate information: https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus

Be aware that criminals are attempting to exploit COVID-19 worldwide through a variety of scams. There have been reports of:

• Individuals and businesses selling fake cures for COVID-19 online and engaging in other forms of fraud.
• Phishing emails from entities posing as the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Malicious websites and apps that appear to share virus-related information to gain and lock access to your devices until payment is received – Seeking donations fraudulently for illegitimate or non-existent charitable organizations.

Criminals will likely continue to use new methods to exploit COVID-19 worldwide.

If you think you are a victim of a scam or attempted fraud involving COVID-19, you can report it without leaving your home through a number of platforms.

• Contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via email at disaster@leo.gov
• Report it to the FBI at https://tips.fbi.gov
• If it’s a cyber scam, submit your complaint through http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx

 

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a report of a person impersonating an officer.

The incident occurred on Tuesday evening in Rockbridge Township on St Hwy 80. A male in a black passenger car with a spot light and red and blue emergency lights, pulled over a vehicle and approached it. The male was wearing a brown uniform. The uniform did not have a name or a badge on it. The male asked the citizen if they had a permit to be out driving. When the answer was no the male got back into his car and left.

As part of the investigation, authorities have obtained information that a male in a black Chevrolet Impala with a spot light on it and red and blue warning lights matching the same description did the same thing in southern Grant County and also in Iowa County as recent as yesterday.

The male is described to be in his mid 30’s with short brown hair. He does not have facial hair.

Sheriff Bindl reminds residents that local Law Enforcement wear a name tag and a badge as part of their uniform every day. If something doesn’t feel right, call 911 and try to give as much information as you can for law enforcement.

If anyone has more information, please contact the Sheriff’s Department at 608-647-2106.

Sheriff Jim Bindl of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department reports that, on 1-17-20, Agents from the Alcohol Tobacco Enforcement division of the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) requested assistance of local law enforcement while inspections were conducted at the four taverns in the village of Cazenovia.  As law enforcement entered Rumor’s tavern, a “protective sweep” of the establishment was performed to determine who may be present.  During the protective sweep a male subject who had an active felony arrest warrant was located.

Joseph M. Lobsinger, 33 of Cazenovia, was taken into custody for the felony warrant without incident.  During that arrest, Lobsinger made reference to a firearm being nearby. A loaded, but cased, rifle was then found within close proximity to Lobsinger.  Lobsinger was subsequently arrested for Felon in Possession of a Firearm.  In addition to the open felony case in Sauk County for which the arrest warrant had been issued,  Lobsinger was also out of custody on three open felony cases in Juneau County and one in Richland County.  Therefore, Lobsinger was also arrested on both Felony and Misdemeanor Bail Jumping charges.

Also during the protective sweep of Rumor’s tavern, drug paraphernalia associated with the consumption of methamphetamine was observed in plain view by law enforcement.  The Richland County District Attorney’s Office was contacted and a Search Warrant for the establishment was obtained.

During the subsequent search of Rumors tavern, various items associated with drug use and distribution were located and seized as evidence.  The Rumor’s tavern manager, Carla Zimmerman, was not present during the search and would not provide law enforcement with her location.  However, based on the contraband located during the execution of the Search Warrant, once located, Zimmerman, 54 of Cazenovia, is to be arrested on the tentative charges of Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Deliver, Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Deliver, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Maintaining a Drug Trafficking Place.

All charges have been forwarded to the Richland County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

In addition to Agents from the DOR, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department was assisted on scene by the Richland-Iowa-Grant Drug Task Force, the Richland Center Police Department, the Sauk County Sheriff’s Department, and the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation.

Sheriff Bindl states that local and State agencies consistently work together to combat those involved in the use/distribution of controlled substances and the criminal activity often associated with it, and that this investigation was a great example of that cooperation.  Sheriff Bindl added that the public also plays a critical role in assisting law enforcement with this effort.

Any citizen who has information concerning any illegal activity is encouraged to call the Richland Center Police Department at 608-647-2103 or the Richland County Sheriff’s Department at 608-647-2106.  Callers who wish to remain anonymous can call Richland Area Crime Stoppers at 647-CLUE (2583) and may be eligible for a cash reward.

 

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The Richland County Sex Offender Registration Program Notification Team and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department are releasing the following information pursuant to Wisconsin State Statute 301.46(2m) which authorizes law enforcement agencies to inform the public of a sex offender’s release when, in the discretion of the agency, the release of information will enhance public safety, awareness and protection.

The individual who appears on this notification has been convicted of a sex offense that requires registration with the WI Sex Offender Registration Program (SORP).  Further, this individual’s history places him in a classification level that reflects the potential to re-offend.  This sex offender has served prison time for charges stemming from sexual assault incidents in 1976 and 1977.

He was released from prison in the spring of 2019 and has lived in northern WI.  During that time he has not re-offended.  He has been approved to live in Richland County by the WI. Dept. of Corrections, Division of Community Corrections.  On January 9th, 2020, he will be released to reside in Marshall Township, Richland County, WI.

This person is NOT wanted by Law Enforcement

This community notification bulletin is not intended to increase fear; rather, it is our belief that an informed public is a safer public.

Convicted sex offenders have always lived in our communities, but it was not until the Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification Law was enacted that law enforcement was able to share this information with the community.

NOTE:  Citizen abuse of this information used to threaten, intimidate or harass registered sex offenders can be a violation of the law and will not be tolerated.

Supervision Plan:

The State of Wisconsin Department of Corrections is in charge of supervision of Richard D. Sugden.  Special conditions of supervision include:

• House Arrest with GPS bracelet
• Required to have approved person/monitor with him at all times outside the home.
• Comply with sex offender rules
• Comply with rules of electronic monitoring & GPS tracking bracelets
• Comply with all requirements as lifetime registrant of the WI. Sex Offender Registry

Sex Offender information:

Name:  Richard D. Sugden     Age: 64     Male, White

Height: 5ft 10 in     Weight: 194 lbs      Eyes: Blue     Hair: Bald

Offenses: Rape (1976), First Degree Sexual assault (1977) – Offenses occurred in Richland County, WI

Residence: 20686 Balsley Lane, Richland Center,WI.

Agency Contact:

Department of Corrections, Division of Community Corrections 608-647-4848 

To learn more about the Sex Offender Registration Program in the State of Wisconsin, or to obtain information on registered sex offenders living in Richland County, please visit the sex offender registration website at www.offender.doc.state.wi.us/public/

Sheriff James J. Bindl

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Date:  December 23 2019
For more information contact: Sheriff James J Bindl

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department to participate in ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ holiday campaign December 13 through New Year’s Day

To help save lives and prevent needless tragedies, The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is joining law enforcement agencies across Wisconsin during the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” holiday campaign from Friday, December 13, 2019 through New Year’s Day.

“The holiday season is a festive time for many, but it can quickly turn tragic if drivers make the dangerous and irresponsible decision to get behind the wheel impaired, “Sheriff Bindl said.

Last year in Wisconsin, alcohol-related crashes resulted in 160 deaths and nearly 3,300 injuries. While alcohol-impaired drivers are a serious concern, law enforcement faces a growing challenge with drug-impaired drivers – people whose ability to safely operate a motor vehicle is compromised by legal or illegal drugs including prescription and over-the-counter medications. To help combat impaired driving, Wisconsin has:

• About 6,000 police officers trained in Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) to help detect and remove impaired drivers from the roadways;
• 301 highly-trained Drug Recognition Experts – among the most in the nation;
• 23 multi-jurisdictional high-visibility enforcement task forces operating throughout the year, across the state.

There are several ways citizens can help:

• Never allow someone to get behind the wheel impaired. Find a safe alternative to get them home. If you plan to celebrate, identify a sober designated driver;
• Report impaired drivers to law enforcement by calling 911. Provide as much detail as possible on the driver, vehicle, and location;
• Download the free “Drive Sober” mobile app from the WisDOT website. The app includes a “find a ride” feature to help locate mass transit and taxi services;
• Some taverns and restaurants have programs to provide patrons a safe ride home. Visit tlw.org/ and click on Safe Ride;
• Make sure that everyone in your vehicle is buckled up – every trip. Watch your speed and eliminate distractions.

“Safety along our roadways is not just a law enforcement issue,” Sheriff Bindl said. “Preventing crashes, injuries and deaths requires the cooperation of all motorists and citizens.”

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At 9:05am, December 17th, 2019, Richland County Authorities were notified of an adult male who had walked away from a group home on County Hwy I near County Hwy G in Forest Township.  The report indicated the subject had been missing 30-45 minutes and group home staff were attempting to locate the subject but could not.  Lieutenant Dane Kanable and Deputy Ken Moe responded to the area and met with employees of the home who gave details and a description of the subject.  A search of the area began and Lt. Kanable asked for the Sheriff’s Department drone and a pilot be sent to the scene.  Once arrived, drone pilot Deputy Casey Marshall launched the drone and flew the area.  Approximately 20 minutes later, the adult male was located by the drone sitting in a wooded area northwest of the residence.  He was found cold but uninjured and transported back to the group home.

The drone owned by the Sheriff’s Department was purchased in 2017 with donated funds.  It is equipped with a thermal imaging video camera and has proven to be an excellent tool to the department.  With Tuesday’s cold conditions, the success of the drone saved valuable time and possible exposure injury to the subject.

Authority:
Chief Deputy Chad Kanable

At approximately 6:30am on 11/13/19 a Richland County Deputy was on patrol in the village of Gotham and noticed a light on inside a home at 28875 McNurlin Street. The deputy also noticed a car with an open trunk in the driveway. The home, which less than 12 hours before was the location of a search warrant, was not supposed to be occupied. Another deputy arrived and assisted with a check of the area. Deputies discovered forced entry had been made into the residence and it appeared several items had been moved inside the home and other items were possibly missing. As Deputies investigated further, they located two individuals behind the residence, hiding by a yard shed. Both were taken into custody. Arrested were 32 year old Steven Baker and 29 year old Nichole Weiland both of Boaz. Both Baker and Weiland were transported to the Richland County Jail and are awaiting bail hearings on several charges. The incident remains under investigation.

If you see suspicious activity in your area, become involved. Call Crime Stoppers at 608-647-CLUE (2583) or the Richland County Sheriff’s Department at 608-647-2106.

Date of Incident: 11/13/2019

Arrest or Charges: Baker – Burglary using forced entry, theft of property, 2 counts of obstructing, resisting arrest, trespassing & Damage to property
Weiland – Burglary using forced entry, Theft of property, Obstructing an Officer & Trespassing