WHO Involved: Ruth Anderson, 86 of Richland Center
Molly Rutherford, 29 of Richland Center
Ryder Whiteaker, 3 of Richland Center

WHERE Incident Happened: 25898 State HWY 58 Richland Center, WI 53581
(Ithaca Township, Section #20)

What happened: Sheriff Clay Porter reports on 05/26/2022 at approximately 2:47 P.M. suspect vehicle driven by Rutherford was traveling North on STH 58 when operator of the vehicle became distracted and struck Anderson at the address of 25898 STH 58 who was walking across the roadway. Upon deputy’s arrival on scene they located Anderson in the North ditch line where she had died from injuries sustained. Suspect vehicle was parked along the shoulder of the roadway where deputies made contact with vehicle operator. Vehicle operator and passenger had no injuries from the crash. Operator did voluntarily submit to a blood draw and at this time there is no evidence of impairment. Vehicle operator was taken into custody and booked into the Richland County Jail for homicide by negligent operation.

Arrest or Charges: Molly Rutherford- 940.10(1) Homicide by negligent operation of vehicle

Other Agencies Involved: Wisconsin State Patrol, Richland EMS, Richland Fire

WHO Involved: Tyler J. Smith, 35 of Muscoda
Amanda J. Jones, 27 of Blue River

WHERE Incident Happened: Crossroad Drive and State Hwy 60

What happened: Sheriff Clay Porter reports that on 05-17-22, a traffic stop was conducted on Crossroads Drive just off of State Hwy 60 in Richwood Township. During the investigation, deputies learned that a passenger in the vehicle, Tyler Smith, was giving a false name. Smith was detained and later found to have a warrant out of Richland County. During a search of Smith, deputies located approximately 19 grams of a white crystalline substance, in three separate baggies, that later tested positive for methamphetamine. Also located on Smith were two used syringes, a Suboxone strip, and approximately $417.00 cash. A subsequent search of the vehicle yielded a digital scale where Smith was seated, as well as marijuana and a glass pipe in the possession of Amanda Jones-another passenger in the vehicle. Smith was arrested and transported to the Richland County Jail. Jones was cited for the marijuana and drug paraphernalia and released from the scene. All charges will be forwarded to the Richland County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. Smith is also out on two bonds from Richland and Crawford Counties for similar drug charges. Richland County was assisted by the Richland-Iowa-Grant Drug Task Force during the stop.

Sheriff Porter would like to remind any Community members that may have information concerning a crime to contact the Richland County Sheriff’s Department at (608) 674-2106. If you wish to remain anonymous you can contact Richland Area Crime Stoppers at (608) 647-CLUE (2583). Anonymous tips can also be submitted through the P3 app at p3tips.com or by downloading the P3 Tips app.

Arrest or Charges: Smith – 961.41(1m)(e)3 Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Distribute, or Deliver Methamphetamine 10-50g, 961.573(1) Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, 961.41(3g)(b) Possession of Schedule III Drug, 946.41 Resisting or Obstructing Officer, 946.49(1)(b) Felony Bail Jumping (2 Counts)
Jones – Ordinance 90-5 Possession of Marijuana, Ordinance 17-13 Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

WHO Involved: Kathryn J. Slaney, 68, of Hillsboro, WI

Sheriff Clay Porter reports that on 03/09/2022 at approximately 4:19 P.M. Richland County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a report of a rollover crash on State Hwy 80 near the south intersection of County Hwy BR. The investigation revealed that a northbound vehicle had exited the roadway on the right shoulder, struck a tree and came to rest on its side in a marsh. The operator of the vehicle, Kathryn Slaney, age 68 of Hillsboro was pronounced dead at the scene by the Richland County Coroner’s Office.

Other Agencies Involved: Richland Center Fire Department, Richland County EMS, Richland County Coroner’s Office, and Wegner Auto Service

On 03/05/2022, at approximately 12:09 P.M. the Richland County Sheriff’s Department received a call of a vehicle located in a creek below a bridge on State Highway 171. Deputies responded to the scene and confirmed the vehicle belonged to Francis Johnston. The vehicle, which was not visible from the road way, was unoccupied when it was located. A short time later, Francis Jonston was located in the creek deceased.

OTHER AGENCIES INVOLVED:Viola Police Department, Richland Center Fire Department, Richland County Coroner’s Office and Wegner Auto Service

On 12/04/2021 at approximately 3:25 P.M., Law Enforcement, EMS and Fire were notified of a 2 vehicle crash at the intersection of State Highway 80 and State Highway 56 with multiple injuries. According to statements made by the operators of the vehicles involved, A car that was traveling eastbound on State Highway 56 failed to stop at the stop sign and was struck by a struck traveling southbound on State Highway 80. The car that was struck had 5 total occupants, all of which were transported by the assisting EMS agencies to the Richland Hospital for injuries sustained in the crash. One juvenile occupant of the car was pronounced deceased at the Richland Hospital as a result from the crash. The lone occupant of the truck did not require medical attention. The full details of the crash are still under investigation. The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is being assisted in the investigation by the Wisconsin State Patrol.

OTHER AGENCIES INVOLVED: Richland County EMS, Richland Center Fire Department, Cazenovia EMS, Reedsburg EMS, and the Wisconsin State Patrol

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.