Richland County Sheriff's Office

Deputies Investigating a 2-Vehicle Crash

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On 05-26-18 at 10:55 PM deputies responded to a report of a two vehicle crash on State Hwy 80 near Pauls Hill Drive. A vehicle being driven by Gregory Fischer, 33, of Richland Center, was traveling north bound on State Hwy 80 when an oncoming vehicle being driven by Daniel Bell, 35, of Richland Center, crossed the center line entering the north bound lane. The vehicles collided head on blocking the entire highway. Fischer and his passenger, Jessica Brown, 29, of Richland Center, were trapped in their vehicle and had to be extricated by the Richland Center Fire Department. Brown was transported to Richland Center Hospital by Richland County EMS for serious injuries and later transported to UW Health in Madison by UW Med Flight. Fischer was checked on scene by Richland County EMS and did not require treatment. Bell refused medical treatment on scene but was later transported to UW Health for non-life threatening injuries. Bell has been charged with operating while under the influence causing injury. The crash remains under investigation by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.

WHEN: 05-26-2018          TIME of Incident:  10:55PM        Location: State Hwy 80 at Pauls Hill Dr

WHO INVOLVED:
Daniel Bell, 35 of Richland Center, WI

Gregory Fischer, 33 of Richland Center, WI
Jessica Brown, 29 of Richland Center, WI

Other Agencies Involved:
Richland Center Fire Department
Richland County EMS
UW Med Flight
Richland County District Attorney’s Office

Click It or Ticket 2018

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Richland Center Police Department and Richland County Sheriff’s Department to mobilize for Click It or Ticket safety belt enforcement from May 21st to June 3rd.

Both the Richland Center Police Department and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department will join hundreds of other law enforcement agencies throughout Wisconsin for the annual Click It or Ticket safety belt enforcement campaign from May 21 to June 3.

“We enforce Wisconsin’s mandatory safety belt law – not to write citations – but to help save lives and prevent needless injuries,” said Chief Lucas Clements. “Right now in Wisconsin, we know that about nine of 10 motorists consistently wear a safety belt. We also know that the 10 percent who fail to buckle up account for nearly half of the drivers and passengers killed in Wisconsin traffic crashes each year.”

The state’s safety belt use rate of 89.4 percent is the highest ever, but still lags behind the national average. Last year in Wisconsin, there were 58,899 traffic convictions for failure to fasten a seat belt.

In Wisconsin, law enforcement officers can stop and cite motorists for failing to wear a safety belt. In addition, drivers can be cited for every unbuckled passenger in their vehicle. “Again, this is about preventing injuries and saving lives,” Sheriff James Bindl said. “Before hitting the road, drivers need to ensure that everyone is buckled up, every seat, every trip.”

Traffic Stop Leads to K9 Deployment and Drug Arrest

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Richland County Sheriff James J Bindl reports that on 04-27-18, A Sheriff’s Deputy stopped a vehicle on Hwy 80 just south of Hwy 60 in Eagle township due to the registered owner of the vehicle having a felony warrant. During the stop 46 year old Lemuel Anderson of Avoca, who was operating the vehicle, provided a California driver’s license that was expired and also had an expired instructional permit through Wisconsin. Anderson did not have a valid license. K9 Rambo was deployed for a “free air” exterior vehicle scenting and had a positive alert to the odor of illegal narcotics inside. A search of the vehicle provided 4.3g of Crack Cocaine, 10.04g of Marijuana, $1,182.00 cash, digital scales and drug paraphernalia. It was also learned that Anderson was out on felony bond from Richland County. Lemuel Anderson was arrested and charged (see charges below). The Muscoda Police Department assisted at the scene.

WHEN: 4/27/18          TIME of Incident:  09:02PM

WHO Involved: Lemuel A. Anderson, 46, of Avoca, WI

WHERE Incident Happened: Hwy 80 South of Hwy 60, Eagle Township

ARREST or CHARGES: 961.41(1m)(cm)1r Possession with Intent to Deliver Cocaine, 961.41(h)1 Possession with Intent to Deliver THC, 961.573 Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, 946.49(b) Felony Bail Jumping (2 counts) 343.05(3)(a) Operating a motor vehicle with out a valid license (1st Offense)

Charges Pending for Fleeing Suspect

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On Thursday, March 29th at approximately 10:42 PM, Richland County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a call of a domestic disturbance on County Hwy Y in Eagle Township. When deputies arrived, they discovered the suspect had fled the scene.  As the deputies spoke with the homeowners, the suspect identified as Jesse E. Shields, 34 of Richland Center, returned to the residence but refused to cooperate with the deputies.  Shields fled the scene driving a vehicle north on Co Hwy Y.

A deputy pursued the vehicle for a short distance before the squad he was operating became involved in a crash. The suspect continued north on Co Hwy Y.  A search for the suspect was successful by Richland County Deputies and Officers of the Richland Center Police Department.  Jesse Shields was taken into custody and transported to the Richland County Jail.

Two Richland County Deputies were injured in the crash.  They were transported by Richland County EMS to the Richland Hospital where they were in observation and then released.

Charges are pending with the Richland County District Attorney’s Office.  The Wisconsin State Patrol is assisting in the investigation.

Madison man leads deputies on crash-filled chase in 2 counties

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On 3/26/2018 at approximately 6:10pm, Richland County authorities were notified by the Vernon County Sheriff’s Department of a reckless driver eastbound on US Hwy 14 from the Readstown area.  The report was that he was not stopping for Vernon County Deputies and a call for help went out to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department to deploy “Stop Sticks” (tire deflation devices) was made.

It was learned the suspect vehicle had been involved in at least three crashes in Vernon County, involving both civilian and law enforcement vehicles.  Authorities attempted several trained maneuvers to stop the suspect as he appeared to intentionally ram into squads and continued east on Hwy 14.  As the suspect entered Richland County he crashed into four additional civilian vehicles traveling on the roadway, drove through ditch lines and continued to flee from deputies.

A Richland County Deputy arrived and coordinated with Vernon County Deputies to attempt to stop the vehicle.  Contact was made with the suspect vehicle by squad cars in a trained manner which temporarily stopped the suspect, however as deputies exited to make contact with the driver, he accelerated and pushed through the squads, and continued eastbound.  The suspect was yelling out the window at authorities and throwing items from his vehicle as he drove.  The chase reached a maximum speed of 35 mph according to authorities.

The subject was stopped on Hwy 14 at Wescott Rd. in Richland Counties Sylvan Township after two squads made contact with the suspect vehicle pinning him between them.  The subject was taken into custody and transported to the Richland County Jail.  The subject caused four hit and run crashes to occupied civilian vehicles and rammed into three squad cars in Richland County alone.

The arrested subject, identified as Leonard P. Perfetti, 46 of Madison, faces several criminal charges that are being coordinated through Richland County District Attorney Jennifer Harper and Vernon County District Attorney Tim Gaskell.  The WI State Patrol is assisting in the ongoing investigation.

Assisting in the incident:  Vernon County Sheriff’s Department, WI State Patrol, Richland Center Police, Viola Police Department, Readstown Fire, Richland Center Fire, Vernon County District Attorney, and the Richland County District Attorney.

Richland County Sheriff James Bindl highly commended the road deputies from both Vernon and Richland Counties as well as the dispatchers.  “This was a very dangerous incident for everyone on the road.  Because of the Deputies actions, no one was injured or killed last night.  All involved did what had to be done and did it well.”

Search of vehicle reveals large amount of Methamphetamine

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On March 21st, 2018 at approximately 2:52 PM a deputy observed a vehicle traveling west bound on U.S Hwy 14 just east of Richland Center. The vehicle was followed into the Goodwill parking lot where three occupants exited the vehicle. The deputy made contact with Clarke the driver of the vehicle while the two passengers fled on foot north behind Goodwill. Clarke was detained at the scene and additional officers were requested. Responding officers apprehended Sander and Harvell who were running in a field east of Goodwill. Both subjects were taken into custody and the vehicle was towed to Richland County impound due to false plates on the vehicle and being unable to locate an owner. Clarke was informed he would be receiving traffic citations for several violations, and he was then released. During an inventory of the vehicle deputies discovered over 25 grams of methamphetamine, 1 gram of MDMA, digital scales, $398.00 in cash and other various items of drug paraphernalia.

Joshua D. Clark is wanted on several felony drug charges. A $500 cash reward is being offered for information that leads to his arrest. If you have information please call the Richland County Sheriff’s Department at 608-647-2106 or Crime Stoppers at 608-647-CLUE.

WHEN: 3/21/18          TIME of Incident:  02:52PM

WHO Involved:

  • Joshua D. Clarke, 30 of Richland Center, WI
  • Treagir J. Sander, 18 of Richland Center, WI
  • Brettlyn Harvell, 20 of Lone Rock, WI

Agencies Involved: Richland County Sheriff’s Department, Richland Center Police Department, and the Richland County District Attorney

WHERE Incident Happened: Goodwill Parking Lot, Richland Center, WI

ARREST or CHARGES:

  • Joshua D. Clarke (WANTED): Possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, possession of drug paraphernalia, felony bail jumping.
  • Treagir J. Sander: Possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, possession of drug paraphernalia, felony bail jumping, obstructing or resisting an officer.
  • Brettlyn Harvell: Warrants, obstructing or resisting

Traffic Contact Leads to K9 Deployment and Drug Arrest

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On 03-04-18, Sander was observed operating a vehicle in the City of Richland Center with a revoked driver’s license. Contact was made, and Sander was arrested and transported to the Richland County Jail. K9 Rambo was utilized for an open free-air sniff of the vehicle being operated by Sander and gave a positive alert to the odor of illegal narcotics. A search of the vehicle resulted in numerous baggies of a white crystal substance that later tested positive for methamphetamine. Glass smoking devices, a digital scale, and other items of drug paraphernalia were also located in a bag belonging to Sander inside the vehicle. Sander was also out on misdemeanor bond through Richland County for a previous Operating after Revocation arrest. Any suspicious activity can be reported to Richland County Crime Stoppers at 647-CLUE (2583).

WHEN: 3/4/18       TIME of Incident:  07:39PM

WHO Involved: Treagir J. Sander

Agencies Involved: Richland Center Police Department, Richland County Sheriff’s Department, and the Richland County District Attorney

WHERE Incident Happened: N. Jefferson Street & W. Mill Street

ARREST or CHARGES: Possession with Intent to Deliver Methamaphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Operating After Revocation, Bail Jumping

Arrest Made for Threatening Others with Gun and Drug Charges

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On Monday Feb 26th, 2018, at approximately 1:15pm, The Richland County Sheriff’s Department received a call of a man who had pulled a gun on another person at 26940 Comar Lane in Richland Township.  Richland County Deputies and Richland Center Police Officers responded.  When deputies arrived, witnesses stated that 37 year old Allen Gholson Jr. of Richland Center pointed a handgun at several people outside the residence.  Officers located Allen Gholson near the residence and detained him.  Gholson was later taken to the Richland County Jail, charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and disorderly conduct.  Other charges against Gholson are pending.  The occupant of the residence, Lori L. Oman age 47 of Richland Center, was arrested at the scene for felony bail jumping and transported to the Richland County Jail.

Deputies worked with the Richland County District Attorney’s Office to obtain a search warrant for the residence.  A request was also made to the Grant County Sheriff’s Department for assistance.  While executing the search warrant a gun believed to be the one used by Gholson was recovered. Deputies also discovered evidence of drug use in the home, and obtained and executed a second search warrant on the residence for drugs.  As a result, over 7 grams of methamphetamine that appeared packaged for sale was located and seized from the residence along with other drug paraphernalia.

Richland County Sheriff James J. Bindl noted the professional cooperation demonstrated between the agencies in this case to assure the safety of the officers and citizens.

Several other charges are pending with Richland County District Attorney Jennifer Harper.  The investigation continues.

WHEN: 02-26-2018          TIME of Incident:  1:15pm         Location: 26940 Comar Lane

Other Agencies Involved:
 Richland Center Police Department
Grant County Sheriff’s Department
Richland County District Attorney’s Office

 

Ninth Member of Methamphetamine Conspiracy Sentenced

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Richland Center Police Chief Lucas Clements would like to pass on a press release from the United States Department of Justice, involving the sentencing of a Richland County resident for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine. Local members from the Richland-Iowa-Grant Drug Task Force assisted several Federal, State, Out-of-State and Local law enforcement agencies during this lengthy investigation.

MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Joel Ringelstetter, 48, Lone Rock, Wis., was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to one year and one day in prison for knowingly and intentionally possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Ringelstetter pleaded guilty to this charge on November 21, 2017.

During sentencing, Judge Conley described Ringelstetter as a low-level dealer within a larger conspiracy. The larger operation was responsible for numerous pounds of methamphetamine shipped from California to Wisconsin. The amount attributable to Ringelstetter, conservatively, was over 10 ounces of methamphetamine. During a search of his home, law enforcement officers located drug paraphernalia and several firearms.

Ringelstetter and 10 other individuals were charged between four indictments returned by federal grand juries for their roles in this methamphetamine distribution conspiracy. Nine of the 11 individuals charged in the indictments have pleaded guilty; Ringelstetter is the ninth to be sentenced.

The charge against Ringelstetter was the result of an investigation conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation; Drug Enforcement Administration- Madison, Wisconsin and Los Angeles, California; Dane County Narcotics Task Force; Dane County Sheriff’s Department; Madison Police Department; UW-Madison Police Department; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Sauk County Drug Task Force; Richland-Iowa-Grant Drug Task Force; Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office; State Line Area Narcotics Team; and Rock County Special Investigations Unit. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Reinhard and Diane Schlipper.

Burning Permits Required

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Due to the lack of snow cover in parts of Wisconsin, annual burning permits are in place.  Burning permits are free and easy to obtain. They encourage the public to burn safely and are proven to be effective in protecting lives, property and natural resources from the damages of wildfires.  Permits are required to be obtained and signed prior to burning.

The following counties have been updated to permits required: Columbia, Sauk, Dane, Iowa, Grant, Richland and Crawford.

Please continue to check the DNR website to check for permit status at:
https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/forestfire/permits.html