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

On Wednesday (10-30-19) at 11:16am Richland Co Dispatch received a call of a man stuck in a culvert on Cty Hwy G just north of Cty E in Sylvan Township.  The caller stated a worker for a local farm was assisting with pulling a large manure line through a road culvert tube.  The line was being pulled by a tractor and the man was making sure the line went through the tube without getting caught.  The man suddenly became entangled in the line and was pulled into the tube. Due to the angle he was pulled in, he became stuck and was not able to be freed by workers on scene.

Richland County Sheriff’s Deputies and Viola EMS responded, as did the Richland Center Fire Department with a rescue truck and a technical rescue trailer.  The Richland Co Highway Dept was requested to respond to the scene with an excavator, and Richland Center City Utilities responded to the scene with other specialized equipment.

Once on scene, emergency workers found a 43 year old man from Plain, stuck in a 12 inch road tube up to his waist.  After a short amount of time, the man was extricated from the tube.  He suffered severe injury to his legs and was immediately transported by Viola EMS to Vernon Memorial Hospital.  He was later transferred by Med-Flight helicopter to UW Hospital in Madison.  His condition is not known at this time.

Authority:  Chief Deputy Chad Kanable

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department reports that the body of a missing Orion Township woman has been located.

Gail Stone, age 79 of rural Muscoda, has been the subject of a missing persons search since early Friday afternoon.  The incident began Friday when a vehicle registered to Stone was located in a wooded area off Harry’s Lane in Orion Township.  The caretaker of the property located the vehicle and notified authorities.  After identifying the owner of the vehicle, a deputy traveled to the owners address but didn’t locate anyone there.  More efforts to locate the owner were not successful.

On Saturday afternoon, the Sheriff’s Department was notified that the owner of the vehicle suffered from Alzheimer’s and had not been seen since Tuesday afternoon.  Sheriff’s Deputies initiated a search of the area but the search was suspended due to darkness.  This morning (Sunday) a larger scale search was organized involving Sheriff’s Deputies, members of several local fire departments including Muscoda, Lone Rock, Richland Center and Blue River, Richland County Emergency Management and a member of the Wisconsin Drone Coalition.  Additional help was provided by the property owners and caretaker.  Within 45 minutes of starting the search, Gail Stone was located in a ravine in the southern part of the property.  A Richland County Coroner pronounced her dead at the scene.

In all approximately 35 people were involved in the search.

Richland County Sheriff James J. Bindl wishes to thank all the emergency responders who participated in the search and also thanks the land owners & neighbors for the assistance they provided.

At 6:01 PM Saturday (10-19-2019) the Richland Co Dispatch Center received calls of an explosion being heard and felt by residents in the city and north.  Reports indicated houses from the Allison Park area through the Hub City area shook from the blast.

Sheriff’s Deputies responded to try and locate the incident.  Within minutes, a deputy traveling just north of the city of Richland Center reported a large plume of smoke north and west of his location, possibly between County Hwy A and State Hwy 56.  It was then Richland Center Fire was paged and asked to respond.  As emergency crews traveled north, the smoke dissipated and made it harder to locate.

Several more calls from citizens trying to help pin point the blast poured into the dispatch center.  Deputies from the Sheriff’s Department, a WI State Patrol Trooper, an Officer from the Richland Center Police Dept. and Richland Center Fire units combed the area north and west of the city for almost an hour.

At around 6:50pm, a citizen met with authorities and directed them to the source of the blast, which was located at the address of 22855 Cty DD, in a wooded area on top of the ridge.  Law Enforcement Officials drove up the ridge and made contact with a subject identified as Jacob A. Busser, 22 of Lodi. The property is owned by his father, and was the location of a field party.   After speaking with Busser, it was learned that approximately 10 lbs of tannerite, which is a highly explosive material used commonly in shooting targets, had been set up and shot at with a firearm.  That action detonated the entire 10lbs of material at once, causing the enormous blast.  The blast was reported from a large area of the county, as calls reporting or inquiring about the incident were logged from Sextonville to Gillingham to Snow Valley as well as the City of Richland Center.

No injuries were reported.  Richland County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Chad Kanable stated he was relieved no one was injured or killed from the blast and thanks the many citizens and emergency personnel who assisted with the incident.  He stated it is legal to possess tannerite and like anything it can be safe when used properly and used for intended purposes.  Last evenings actions exceeded those purposes.

The incident is being forwarded to the Richland County District Attorney’s Office for possible charges and remains under investigation.