WHO Involved: Erica Hostetler, 30, of Avoca
Saige Hostetler, >1, of Avoca
Stacy Ewing, 49, or Richland Center

WHERE Incident Happened: US Hwy 14 at the intersection of Pleasant Valley Dr and Koch Dr.

What happened: Sheriff Clay Porter reports on 11/09/2021 at approximately 1:45 P.M. unit #1 being driven by Hostetler was leaving Pleasant Valley Dr crossing USH 14 to go into Koch Dr. Unit #2 driven by Ewing was traveling East bound on USH 14 when unit #1 crashed into the driver side door. The impact from the crash did send unit #2 off the road into the south ditch of USH 14 just east of Koch Dr. Ewing was transported by Richland EMS to the Richland Hospital with non life threatening injuries and Hostetler and passenger had minor injuries but did not want medical treatment.

WHO Involved: Dominic Stanek, 58, of Viola, WI
Dennis Stanek, 56 of Readstown, WI

WHERE Incident Happened: 16073 Thirteen Rd Viola, WI 54664 & 10567 County HWY A Viola, WI 54664

What happened: Sheriff Clay Porter reports that on 10/19/2021 the Richland County Sheriff’s Department was assisting the WI DNR execute search warrants at two addresses in Richland County due to a multi-year poaching investigation where over 150 deer were illegally killed. While searching the two properties Wardens located an upstairs room with a large amount of green leafy substance at the address of 16073 Thirteen Rd. There was a large tote located that had 3lbs of individually packed containers that after field testing the substance did show a positive test result for marijuana. Suspect parties Dominic and Dennis Stanek are co-owners of the property and were both arrested for possession w/intent to deliver THC and maintaining a drug trafficking location. WI DNR still has an ongoing investigation for natural resource violations.

Arrest or Charges: 61.41(1m)(h)1 Possession W/Intent to Deliver THC & 961.42(1) Maintain Drug Trafficking Location

WHO Involved: Aleece Roh, 31, of Fitchburg, WI

WHERE Incident Happened: US Highway 14/County Highway KK

What happened: On 08/05/2021 at approximately 8:30pm a deputy initiated a traffic stop of a vehicle for speeding. The driver Aleece Roh had her three children in the car, ages 9, 6, and 4. Deputy could smell a strong odor of Marijuana coming from the vehicle and felt Aleece was impaired. Aleece showed signs of impairment during field sobriety testing and was arrested for OWI 2nd with passenger under the age of 16. During a search of the vehicle Deputy located 2 ounces of Marijuana, 1/4 ounce of Cocaine, and drug paraphernalia.

Arrest or Charges: Possession with intent to deliver Cocaine, Possession with intent to deliver THC, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, OWI 2nd with passenger under 16, Child Neglect.

WHO Involved: Matthew Hastings, 30, of Cazenovia, WI

Other Agencies Involved: Richland Center Police Department, Richland County Ambulance Service

WHERE Incident Happened:Tamarack Drive, Cazenovia, WI

What happened: On July 18, 2021 at 3:58 am Richland County Dispatch received a call requesting a welfare check on Matthew Hastings and his family. The caller was concerned about an incident that took place in Yuba involving the Hastings family. Richland County Dispatch received another call from a different party who was at the Hastings residence. That party stated that Matthew had a gun and was in the residence with his family. Deputies and Officers from the Richland Center Police Department set up a perimeter around the home. Phone contact was made with Matthew and was later taken into custody without incident. No one was injured during the incident. K9 Rambo was deployed and was able to locate the firearm outside the residence. Matthew was transported to the Richland County Jail.

Arrest or Charges: Going armed while intoxicated, 2nd Degree Reckless Endangering Safety and Disorderly Conduct

On July 15, 2021 at approximately 5:30am the Richland County Sheriff’s Department received a call about an semi that over turned on US HWY 14 causing both lanes to be blocked. Emergency personal responded to the crash. The male driver and female passenger were transported to the Richland Hospital for minor injuries. Wegner and Shields Towing responded to assist in the clean up process. The details of the crash are still under investigation.

Other Agencies Involved: Wegner Towing, Sheild’s Towing, Richland Highway Department, Richland Center Fire Department, Richland County EMS, Vernon County Sheriff Department and the Wisconsin State Patrol

On 06/19/2021 at approximately 5:52PM the Richland County Sheriff’s Department received a 911 call that a male party was possibly drowning in the Wisconsin River near the Gotham Boat Landing. The male party was reported to be seen by one witness falling into the water and by other witnesses prior to being pulled under water by the current. The male party was later located down river by the assisting Fire Departments and transported back to shore. He was then transported by Lone Rock EMS to the Richland Hospital with CPR in progress. The male party was later pronounced deceased at the Richland Hospital. Through investigation of the scene, it is believed that the male party had fallen into the river while fishing along the river bank near the boat landing.

Other Agencies Involved: Lone Rock Fire Department, Lone Rock EMS, Blue River Fire Department, & Spring Green Fire Department

WHERE Incident Happened: E. Gage St. Richland Center

What happened: On 04/23/2021 at approximately 7:30 PM a deputy with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department conducted a traffic stop near Foremost Farms on E. Gage Street in the City of Richland Center. The vehicle was stopped for registration violations and suspicious activity. Contact was made with the driver, Benjamin J. Peterson of Mazomanie. During the subsequent investigation of the stop and search of the vehicle, law enforcement located approximately 30 grams of methamphetamine and .6 grams of heroin. Peterson was arrested and transported to the Richland County Jail for drug offenses. The Richland Center Police Department assisted on scene and the investigation in still ongoing.

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department asks the public to report any suspicious activity by calling the non-emergency line at 608-647-2106 or Richland County Crime Stoppers at 608-647-2583. All callers can remain anonymous.

WHO Involved: Mason M. Fenton, 16 of Richland Center, WI

What happened: On 04/25/2021 at approximately 10:57PM the Richland County Sheriff’s Department received a call of a juvenile male who had not returned home from riding his ATV. An extensive search began attempting to locate Mason Fenton near his residence in Dayton Township. Several area Fire and EMS departments along with several K-9 and Drone teams responded to assist with the search. At approximately 3:39AM on 4/26/2021 a Richland County Sheriff’s sergeant located the ATV crashed on Crow Hill School Road. Mason Fenton was found deceased a short distance from the scene of the crash.

The crash is being investigated by the Wisconsin DNR.