Richland County Sheriff's Office

Search Warrant Leads to Drugs, Paraphernalia, and Money Seized

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On 05-21-2019, the Richland-Iowa-Grant Drug Task Force along with the Richland County Special Response Team executed a drug related search warrant at the address of 28875 McNurlin Street in the Village of Gotham. A search of the residence was conducted and officers located methamphetamine, marijuana, and U.S. currency. Also located were numerous items of drug paraphernalia to include: used syringes, glass smoking devices, a digital scale, a drug ledger/log, and plastic baggies with residue. The suspect, William C. Giddings was arrested and transported to the Richland County Jail on numerous drug related offenses. The public is encouraged to report any suspicious/drug activity to Richland County Crime Stoppers at 647-Clue(2583).

Other agencies involved were the Richland Center Police Department and Lone Rock EMS.

As a result of the investigation Giddings was placed under arrest for the following tentative charges:

William Giddings

  • Possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine
  • Possession with intent to deliver THC
  • Maintaining a drug trafficking place
  • Possession of drug paraphernalia
  • Resisting or obstructing an officer

Police Department Press Release

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Chief Lucas Clements reports that at approximately 6:40 a.m. on May 18th an Officer from the Richland Center Police Department recognized Christopher D. Grabowski, 34, of Richland Center traveling as a passenger in a vehicle westbound on W. 6th St.

The Officer ran a warrant check on Grabowski and confirmed that there were warrants out for his arrest. Upon contact with Grabowski at Mobil Mart, Grabowski was taken into custody after a short foot chase. Search incident to arrest, Officers located drug paraphernalia on Grabowski’s person used to ingest methamphetamine. Grabowski also admitted to having further drug paraphernalia in the vehicle. A search of the vehicle yielded further drug paraphernalia as well as methamphetamine and marijuana.

Contact was made with the driver of the vehicle, Robert J.  Engebretson, 52, of Richland Center. Upon contact with Engebretson, the Officer noted signs of impairment. Standardized Field Sobriety tests were conducted with Engebretson, who displayed signs of impairment.

As a result of the investigation both Engebretson and Grabowski were placed under arrest for the following tentative charges:

Robert J. Engebretson

  • Possession of Methamphetamine (2nd or subsequent offense)
  • Possession of THC (2nd or subsequent offense)
  • Operating While Under the Influence
Christopher D. Grabowski
  • Possession of Methamphetamine (2nd or subsequent offense)
  • Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
  • Possession of THC (2nd or subsequent offense)
  • Resisting or Obstructing an Officer
  • Bail Jumping (4 counts)

The Richland Center Police Department was assisted on scene by Deputies from the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. The investigation has been forwarded to the Richland County District Attorney’s Office for formal charges to be filed.

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Alert Off-Duty Deputy Leads to Drug Arrests

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Chief Lucas Clements of the Richland Center Police Department reports that two men were arrested over the weekend on various drug related charges.

Kiefer J. Beran, 27, was arrested and tentatively charged with Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Deliver, Felony Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Resisting/Obstructing an Officer.

Logan J. Lenz, 27 of Arena, was arrested and tentatively charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Chief Clements stated that the investigation started when Kiefer Beran was seen in the Richland Center Walmart by an off-duty Deputy of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, who was familiar with Beran through numerous police contacts.  The Deputy was also aware that Beran had an active arrest warrant through the Department of Corrections (DOC).

The Deputy then contacted on-duty Officers with the Richland Center Police Department and informed them of Beran’s location.  On duty Officers from the Richland Center Police Department and Richland County Sheriff’s Department were able to make contact with Beran after conducting a traffic stop of the vehicle that he was a passenger in.

Beran was then taken into custody on the DOC warrant. The subsequent investigation found Beran to be in possession of numerous items associated with the injection of controlled substances.  Also, found in Beran’s jacket were a loaded syringe and four (4) separate baggies containing methamphetamine with a combined weight of 15.1 grams.  In addition, Beran was also found to be in possession of a small amount of marijuana.  The driver of the vehicle, Logan Lenz, was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia.

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

Chief Clements states that this investigation was the result of the diligence of the off-duty Deputy. Chief Clements also commented on the sound law enforcement tactics displayed by Officers and Deputies on patrol who responded, which allowed them to apprehend Beran on the DOC warrant and then conduct a thorough investigation that resulted in numerous charges and a substantial amount of methamphetamine being taken off the street.

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 608-647-2016.  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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Fire Investigation Leads to Drug Arrests

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Chief Lucas Clements of the Richland Center Police Department reports that, on 2-24-19, Officers responded to a residential house fire at 1152 N. Central Ave., in the City of Richland Center.

Upon contact with the residence, Officers located the renter of the home, who had been the sole occupant of the residence, in her vehicle outside. Officers observed indications of fire within the residence, but were unable to enter because of the smoke. The Richland Center Fire Department was requested and was able to extinguish the fire, containing it to a bedroom. The rest of the residence suffered moderate smoke damage.

During the subsequent investigation, Officers located a small amount of suspected methamphetamine and items recognized by Officers to be used to ingest methamphetamine. The renter was questioned and admitted to the possession of the drug and drug related items. The source of the fire was investigated by Deputy State Fire Marshals from the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, in conjunction with RCPD and RCFD officials, and no evidence of intentional arson was found.

As a result of the investigation, Ronda K. Leffler, 53 of Richland Center, was arrested and tentatively charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Felony Bail Jumping.

All of the above listed drug related charges also carry a potential penalty enhancer because the offences took place within 1,000 feet of a park. All charges have been forwarded to the Richland County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

In addition to the RCFD and the State Fire Marshals, Officers were assisted on scene by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, Richland County EMS, Richland Center City Utilities, and the Richland County District Attorney’s Office.

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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

 

Christmas Day Crash Leads To Methamphetamine Arrest

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On 12/25/2017 at 6:55 am Deputies were dispatched to a one vehicle accident at County Hwy Q and County Hwy ZZ. Upon arrival Deputies located a 2016 Subaru in the ditch. Wesley M. Friederick was identified as the only occupant in the vehicle. Wesley Friederick said he was driving home from LaCrosse when he slide in to the ditch. Wesley Friederick had requested that Wegner Towing assist in removing the vehicle from the ditch. Once the vehicle was removed from the ditch Wesley Friederick gave deputies consent to perform a search of the vehicle. During the search of the vehicle deputies located a clear plastic bag with a substance suspected to be methamphetamine. A field test confirmed the bag contained methamphetamine which had a gross weight of 10.6 grams. Deputies also seized a digital scale and a butane torch from Wesley Friederick.

WHEN: 12/25/2017       TIME of Incident:  06:55am

WHO Involved: Wesley M. Friederick

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

WHERE Incident Happened: Near the intersection of County Highway Q and County Hwy ZZ in Dayton Township

ARREST or CHARGES: 961.41(3g)(g) Possession of Methamphetamine, 961.41(1m)(e)3 Possession of Methamphetamine with intent to deliver (greater than 10 grams but less than 50 grams), 961.573 Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

 

Methamphetamine Drug Arrests

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On 06-07-17, a traffic stop was conducted on a vehicle that was parked in the lane of traffic at the intersection of N. Orange St. and W. Seminary St. in the City of Richland Center. During the traffic stop, K9 Rambo was deployed for an exterior vehicle sniff and alerted to the odor of narcotics inside the vehicle. A search of the vehicle resulted in numerous items of drug paraphernalia including multiple hypodermic needles, 2 digital scales, and a glass smoking device.   Deputies also located several small plastic baggies that contained methamphetamine, alcohol wipes, cotton balls, several empty plastic baggies with methamphetamine residue, and tin candle holders.  Both suspects were arrested and transported to the Richland County Jail.  This case has been referred to the Richland County District Attorney for formal charges. Any information regarding suspicious activity or crimes of any kind can be reported to Richland County Crime Stoppers at 608-647-CLUE (2583).

WHEN: 06-07-17         TIME of Incident:  04:55pm

WHO Involved:

Paige M. Bomkamp, DOB 02-28-1997, Richland Center
Kiefer J. Beran, DOB 01-31-1992, Richland Center

Agencies Involved:

Richland County Sheriff’s Department
Richland Center Police Department
Richland-Iowa-Grant Drug Task Force

WHERE Incident Happened: N. Orange St. & W. Seminary St., Richland Center

ARREST or CHARGES:

Bomkamp: 961.41(1m)(e)(2) – Possession of More Than 3 Grams of Methamphetamine, 961.573(1) – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, 961.41(1m) – Possession with the Intent to Deliver, Manufacture and Distribute Methamphetamine, 961.41(3g)(am) Possession of a Schedule II Narcotic.

Beran: 961.573(1)- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Probation Hold

Car Crash leads to Drug Arrest

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Deputies responded to a two vehicle crash on US Hwy 14 near Fairview Rd just after 4:30pm on Friday evening. Witnesses on scene informed law enforcement that the driver of one vehicle involved in the crash had walked out into a nearby cornfield on two separate occasions and was acting suspiciously. K9 Rambo was deployed for a search of the nearby area and located two containers filled with a substantial amount of marijuana. K9 Rambo also alerted to the odor of narcotics inside the suspect’s vehicle. Deputies searched the vehicle and numerous items of drug paraphernalia, prescription pills, and more substances containing THC were discovered.   Also found in the vehicle was approximately $9,300.00 in cash linked to the distribution of illegal narcotics. The suspect, Raymond J. Otigham was arrested and transported to the Richland County Jail. This case has been referred to the Richland County District Attorney for formal charges. Any information regarding suspicious activity or crimes of any kind can be reported to Richland County Crime Stoppers at 608-647-CLUE (2583).

WHEN: 06-23-17          TIME of Incident:  4:30 pm

WHO Involved:  Raymond J. Otigham  DOB 07-23-1973, Madison WI

Agencies Involved:

  •  Richland County Sheriff’s Dept.
  • Richland-Iowa-Grant Drug Task Force
  • Richland County District Attorney’s Office

WHERE Incident Happened: US Hwy 14 & Fairview Rd, Buena Vista Township

ARREST or CHARGES:  961.41(1m)(h)- Possession of THC with Intent to Deliver, 961.41(3g)(am)- Possession of Schedule II Narcotic, 961.573(1)-Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, 946.41(2m)(a)- Resisting or Obstructing an Officer.