Editors note: The Vernon County Sheriff’s Office has issued a correction to their earlier press release that stated there were multiple victims in this case. They have now clarified that they believe the evidence shows their were multiple instances, but one was victim identified. The Sheriff’s Office apologized for the error.
July 1, 2025
VERNON COUNTY, Wis. – Earlier today, Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson and Reedsburg Police Chief Patrick Cummings jointly report developments in an ongoing, multi-jurisdictional sexual assault investigation.
A Vernon County Sheriff’s Department report states that the joint investigation began mid to late June 2025 when the Sheriff’s Office received a report alleging that an adult female had sexual contact with an underage victim, on multiple occasions, in multiple locations.
The Sheriff’s Office and Reedsburg Police Department, with the assistance of the City of Hillsboro Police Department, have been vigorously investigating the serious allegations.
Early Monday afternoon, June 30, 2025, Ashley Ann Benson, 33, of rural Coon Valley was arrested in Vernon County and booked for:
1) § 948.095(2) – Sex Assault of Student by School Staff
2) § 948.02(2) – 2nd Degree Sexual Assault of Child
3) § 948.09 – Sex with Child Age 16 or Older
Benson appeared in Vernon County Circuit Court Tuesday morning, July 1, for a bail hearing. A $5,000 signature bond was ordered with conditions of no-contact with the victims. Benson is also ordered not to have any unsupervised contact with anyone under the age of 18 except for incidental contact in public places. Benson’s initial appearance has been scheduled for July 22, at 8:30 a.m.
Formal charges will be sought through Vernon County District Attorney Angela Palmer-Fisher. A charge is merely an accusation. Benson is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Pending further investigation, additional charges are expected in Sauk County, and possibly other jurisdictions.
Sheriff Torgerson and Chief Cummings would like to thank their detectives, as well as the overwhelming support from the Hillsboro Police Department for all of their hard work, diligence, and collaboration investigating these cases of a delicate nature.
According to the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office, Ashley Benson was previously employed both at a private and public K-12 school in the Viroqua area.
The investigation continues.
If you have any information about these crimes, call the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office at 608-637-2123 or the Reedsburg Police Department at (608)-524-2376. You can also call Vernon Co Crime Stoppers at 608-637-TIPS (8477), or Sauk County Crime Stoppers, Inc. at 1 (888) TIP-SAUK, or submit an online tip at www.p3tips.com
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