Nov. 10, 2025
VIROQUA, Wis. – A report from the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office states that 43-year-old Jerry Michael Campbell appeared in Vernon County Circuit Court today for a bond hearing and bail was set at $250,000 cash.
Campbell was taken into custody on Friday afternoon, Nov. 7, following the investigation into a missing 34-year-old vulnerable adult from Readstown.
Campbell was booked for Sexual Assault in the second degree, which is a Class C felony. This charge relates to having sexual contact or sexual intercourse with a person who suffers from a mental illness or deficiency which renders that person temporarily or permanently incapable of appraising the person’s conduct, and the defendant allegedly knows of such condition, under statute §940.225(2)(c).
An initial appearance for Campbell was set for Monday, November 17 at 1:00 PM.Â
Previous story
Nov. 9, 2025
READSTOWN, Wis. — Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson reports the arrest of 43-year-old Jerry Michael Campbell seventeen days after being released from state prison.
Campbell was taken into custody on Friday afternoon, Nov. 7, following the investigation into a missing 34-year-old vulnerable adult from Readstown.
Campbell was booked for Sexual Assault in the second degree, which is a Class C felony. This charge relates to having sexual contact or sexual intercourse with a person who suffers from a mental illness or deficiency which renders that person temporarily or permanently incapable of appraising the person’s conduct, and the defendant allegedly knows of such condition, under statute §940.225(2)(c).
The Vernon County Sheriff’s Office (VCSO) was first notified on Monday morning, Nov. 3, around 1:30 a.m., that the vulnerable adult was missing from their residence in the Village of Readstown since Saturday night, Nov. 1. The reporter indicated that the missing person was likely with Campbell, who was known to the individual being reported missing. Although the missing person did not have a phone when they left, detectives determined that they were communicating with friends or family members.
The missing person’s name and personal identifying information was entered into the National Crime Information Center Missing Persons database while the local search continued. Early Thursday evening, Nov. 6, the Sheriff’s Office located the missing person and transported them to a safe location. Campbell was arrested the following day, Nov. 7, and transported to the Sheriff’s Office Detention Center.
On Friday evening, Nov. 7, the Vernon County Circuit Court Judge Timothy J. Gaskell made a judicial determination of Probable Cause, based on the arresting officer’s sworn affidavit that was submitted to the court. Campbell is currently being held pending a bail hearing scheduled for Monday.
Formal charges are being sought through Vernon County District Attorney Angela Palmer-Fisher. Campbell has a history of convictions, including a 2020 guilty finding in Winnebago County Circuit Court for causing a child 13–18 to view sexual activity (§948.055(1)). He was sentenced to one year in prison and three years extended supervision consecutive to any other sentence. Campbell had served all time, and was released on October 21, 2025. Although he is no longer under any probation or parole supervision, he is required to register as a sex offender, compliance of which is also a matter of the ongoing investigation.
The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Richland County Adult Protective Services and their counsel, having jurisdiction in the matter. Sheriff Torgerson stressed that a charge is merely an accusation, and Campbell is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The Sheriff’s Office encouraged anyone with information about this crime or any others to call Crime Stoppers at 608-637-TIPS (8477) or submit an online tip at www.p3tips.com.
Add comment