June 6, 2025
UPDATE: Crawford County Judge Lukas Steiner, who was filling in for Judge Timothy Gaskell imposed a $1,000 cash bond, with conditions, in Backlunds case at bond hearing on Friday afternoon. Steiner cited his concerns about Backlund’s ability to follow bond conditions when imposing the bond.
Steiner said a signature bond was absolutely “not appropriate” given the information he was presented and was not confident that Backlund with show up for court or follow bond conditions with a signature bond. Seiner also placed condiitons on the bond, the “most basic” of which was that he not commit more criminal acts if released.
Steiner also made it a condition of bond that law enforcement may ask for a breath or urine test if they suspect Backlund has been using drugs or alcohol.
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VERNON COUNTY, Wis. – Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson reports 35-year-old Kyle John Backlund of Viroqua, who was out on bond for other criminal cases, was arrested on Thursday for exposing a Sheriff’s deputy to secondhand methamphetamine smoke. The deputy was treated for that exposure at Vernon Health and has recovered, but Torgerson said he is asking he District Attorney to ask the court to forfeit the his previous bond.
According to a Sheriff’s Office report, a deputiy, while in the process of executing an arrest warrant in the town of Wheatland, was exposed to second hand methamphetamine smoke. The deputy was treated at Vernon health in Viroqua and later released. The report goes on to say, Backlund’s arrest was unrelated to the arrest warrant involving a different individual.
Backlund was booked for possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. He also faces charges for felony bail jumping stemming from a May 29 drug related arrest by the Viroqua Police Department. In that case, a $1,000 signature bond was ordered on May 30. Torgerson said at the time, Backlund was also being held by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections for a probation violation. He was released from custody on June 4. 33 hours before the deputy was exposed to the methamphetamine use.
Torgerson said a bail hearing is scheduled today, June 6, at 2 p.m. in Vernon County Circuit Court. Formal charges will be sought through Vernon County District Attorney, Angela Palmer Fisher. A charge is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until proven guilty.
Torgersosn went on to say he is requesting that the district attorney petition the court to invoke state statute 969 13, and request the court enter an order declaring the previous bail or bond be forfeited.
“I am pleased to report that the deputy affected by this incident will be returning to duty,” said Torgerson. “I am truly grateful for our entire Sheriff’s Office team and humbled by the wonderful support from our great community. The investigation continues. The sheriff’s office will put forward our best effort to locate the source of this poison affecting our community, therefore more arrests could be forthcoming.”
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