Richland County Sheriff's Office

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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Animal Abuse Results in Charges for a Loganville Woman

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According to Sheriff James J. Bindl: On 6/4/18 the Richland County Sheriff’s Department received a complaint of horses appearing to be in bad health on Shellington Drive. An investigation immediately started. The owner of the animals, Thurley Neumaier of Loganville, was contacted and questioned about the condition of two horses on the Shellington Drive property which authorities identified as in poor health. Neumaier indicated she knew the horses were under weight due to a tooth issue and because she had gotten behind in de-worming the animals. A local veterinarian was contacted by authorities and an opinion of the horses condition was given. As a result of the investigation, Thurley Neumaier was booked into the Richland County Jail and charged in Richland County Circuit Court with failure to provide for confined animals. Authorities checked the remaining horses on the property which appeared to be in good health.

Neumaier was released on bond.

WHO INVOLVED: Thurley Neumaier, 62, of Loganville, WI

ARREST or CHARGES: 951.13 (1) Failure to provide proper food and drink to confined animals

Sting Operation Results in Arrest of 21 Year Old

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Officers of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department and Richland Center Police Department arrested a subject after an investigation revealed solicitation to have sex with a minor using electronic devices or a computer.

On March 6, 2017, law enforcement arrested Drew Sackmann of rural Hillpoint after an investigation revealed Sackmann was attempting to solicit sexual acts from a minor through electronic devices. Officer’s learned of Sackmann’s previous attempts to contact a minor, officers posed as the underage female where further contact was made by Sackmann. During that investigation, Sackmann made requests for sexual acts and sent inappropriate pictures while believing he was speaking to the minor. A meeting was set up by the investigating officer at Krouskop Park in Richland Center in which Sackmann believed the minor would meet him. Upon arrival, Sackmann was arrested by officers without incident. Officers were able to recover further evidence of the crime at the scene. Sackmann was transported to the Richland County Jail where he is awaiting a future court appearance.

WHEN:  03/06/2017    TIME of Incident:  7:05 PM

ARRESTED: Drew C. Sackmann of Hillpoint, WI

Other Agencies Involved: Richland Center Police Department

ARREST or CHARGES: Child Enticement (948.07), Use of a computer to facilitate a child sex crime ( 948.075 (1r)), Exposing a child to harmful material ( 948.11 (2a))

Drug Task Force Investigation Leads to Arrests

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Sheriff James Bindl of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department reports that on November 17, 2016, three Viola, WI residents were arrested for drug charges as a result of an investigation conducted by members of the Richland-Iowa-Grant Drug Task Force.

Nicole M. Titus, 31, and Kevin D. Branch, 39, from Viola were and tentatively charged for  possession of methamphetamine’s (meth), possession of THC (marijuana), possession of schedule IV drug, possession of drug paraphernalia, maintaining a drug house and numerous bail jumping charges.

Quienterrio O. Henderson, 37, of Viola was arrested and tentatively charged with possession of schedule I and II narcotic, possession of drug paraphernalia, maintaining a drug house, and numerous bail jumping charges.

Methamphetamine is a highly addictive stimulant that can have long-lasting effects on your body. This is a man-made substance that is also known as, crystal meth, and is often found in the form of a rock-like crystal that is usually a semi-transparent white or blue color. This substance is always illegal and has no other purpose than for abuse.

All charges have been forwarded to Richland County District Attorney Jennifer Harper for prosecution.

Assisting with the investigation were members of the Richland County Special Response Team (SRT) which consists of Deputies from the Richland County Sheriff’s Office and Officers from the Richland Center Police Department. Also assisting was the Viola Police Department, Viola EMS and Fire Department, and the Vernon County Sheriff’s Department.

Sheriff Bindl would like to point out the effort of the Richland-Iowa-Grant Drug Task Force and Special Response Team members in regards to this investigation. Sheriff Bindl notes the results of this investigation show the reality of what law enforcement faces daily, whether on patrol or working a drug investigation and the presence of these dangerous drugs in our community.

Sheriff Bindl along with Richland Center Police Chief Lucas Clements would like to remind citizens that their assistance is vital in combating the use and distribution of drugs within our community. Anyone witnessing suspected drug activity within their community are encouraged to notify law enforcement or Richland County Crime Stoppers at 608-647-CLUE (2583), where callers may remain anonymous and could be eligible for a cash reward.

Arrest Made in Richland County Stabbing Incident

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In Richland County Circuit Court today, 59 year old Jerome Lux of Richland Center was charged with Battery, Trespass to Land and Disorderly Conduct as a result of a lengthy investigation by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.  On 6/12/16 Lux and a passenger were driving on Cribbin Hill Rd in Marshall Township when he observed Tom Wagner outside in his yard.  Lux stopped in front of the Tom Wagner property and exited his vehicle.  Lux made comments to the passenger that he was “going to end this once and for all”, then instructed her to take the car and leave the area.  Lux then climbed over a locked gate and entered the Wagner property.   Tom Wagner was in his yard, Lux approached Wagner on foot.  A physical altercation happened which caused injuries to both men, injuries which required Lux to be transfered to a Madison hospital by Med Flight.  In court today, Lux was charged with 1 count of Battery, 1 count of Trespass to Land and 1 count of Disorderly Conduct as a result of the incident.   He was released on a cash bond.   Officials believe this was an isolated incident and there is no danger to the public.

– Richland County Sheriff’s Department

Related Articles

https://sheriff.co.richland.wi.us/richland-county-stabbing-update/

https://sheriff.co.richland.wi.us/man-suffers-life-threatening-injuries-in-richland-county-stabbing/

 

Richland County Stabbing – Update

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The Richland County Sheriff’s Department has released further information of a physical altercation that involved a knife early Sunday night.

The incident was reported at 6:45 PM on Cribbin Hill Road near address 20393.  Richland County received a cellular 911 call asking for Sheriff’s Deputies to respond but due to poor signal, not much information could be obtained.  The first responding deputy came across a male subject lying along the roadway who was later identified as Jerome Lux, age 59 of Marshall Township.  It was determined Lux had received 2 stab wounds, one to the left chest and one to his neck.  The Deputy administered first aid and scene security until other County Deputies, an RCPD Officer and Richland County EMS arrived.  Further investigation discovered another male, Thomas Wagner, age 50 also of RC, lying injured in a nearby driveway.  Both men were transported to the Richland Hospital with Lux being transferred by MedFlight to UW Hospital in Madison.  A condition update on Lux is not known.

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department was assisted by the Richland Center Police Department, Richland County EMS, Richland Center Fire and the Richland County District Attorney Office.

The investigation continues.

– Richland County Sheriff’s Department

Person of Interest Named in Death Investigation

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Andrew WeedenCounty Sheriff James J. Bindl announced this morning the identity of a male subject who is a person of interest in the recent death investigation in Orion Township.

On Saturday February 20th, the Sheriff’s Department received a 911 call from a residence on Catherine Street in the town of Orion.  When deputies arrived they found the body of Rachael A. Pauls inside the residence.   Deputies were told a male subject had fled the scene. After a quick and successful search by Richland County K9 TITAN. Andrew T. Weeden, 29 years old, was taken into custody on a probation violation.

Weeden is being held in the Richland County Jail.  According to Sheriff Bindl, Andrew Weeden is being considered a person of interest at this time.  Sheriff Bindl wants to reassure residents there is no danger to the public.

The incident remains under investigation.

Richland County Sheriff’s Department

Death Investigation in Orion Township

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Officials of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department are investigating a death in Orion Township in southern Richland County.  The Communications Center received a 911 call at approximately 2:44 pm Saturday reporting a subject who needed medical attention at 22004 Catherine St. in the Town of Orion.  When Emergency responders and Sheriff’s Deputies arrived at the scene, the body of a 32 year old female was located inside the residence.  The woman found dead as Rachael A. Pauls, 32, of Muscoda. It appeared the victim had suffered substantial trauma to her face. Deputies began a search for a male subject who had reportedly fled the scene.  Richland County Sheriff’s Sgt. Dane Kanable deployed K-9 TITAN who quickly and successfully tracked and located that male subject.  He was detained for questioning and subsequently booked into the Richland County Jail on a probation violation.   The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is working closely with the Richland County District Attorneys Office.  The incident remains under investigation.

Other Agencies assisting in the incident: Muscoda EMS, Muscoda Police Department, Richland County Coroners Office, Richland County District Attorneys Office, Wisconsin State Patrol, Wisconsin Department of Justice Mobile Crime Lab and the Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigation

– Richland County Sheriff’s Department

Press Release – February 20, 2016

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Richland County Officials are investigating an incident that happened yesterday in Orion township, in the southern part of Richland County.

The Richland County Communications Center received a 911 call at approximately 2:45 pm, Saturday, February 20th, reporting a subject who needed medical care at a residence in the village of Orion.  Emergency Medical Services and Law Enforcement from Muscoda and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department responded to the scene.   After arrival it was determined that the incident warranted further investigation by law enforcement, and the investigation is continuing at this hour.  Officials want to stress there is no danger to the public from this incident.  The investigation continues.

Richland County Sheriff’s Department