Forgery scheme tied to deceased Viola man leads to arrest of Green Bay woman, formerly of Viola

Sept. 3, 2025

VIROQUA, Wis. — A Green Bay woman was arrested Tuesday in Vernon County in connection with an ongoing forgery investigation involving checks issued under the name of a deceased Viola man, authorities said.

Megan Marion Strait, 32, formerly of rural Viola, was taken into custody around 12:30 p.m. at the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office, where she had arrived to retrieve an impounded vehicle from an unrelated incident, Sheriff Roy Torgerson said in a statement.

The arrest stems from a months-long investigation that began in June after law enforcement was notified of multiple forged checks circulating in a neighboring jurisdiction. Deputies later discovered that the checks had been issued from an account belonging to Jerry D. “J.D.” Johnson, who died in April 2023 at age 78.

On July 15, investigators executed a search warrant at a residence on Wicks Way Lane in rural Viola, located in Richland County. Evidence linking Strait to the property was recovered, and a 26-year-old man was taken into custody on an unrelated matter. Strait was not located at the time.

Following her arrest, Strait was booked into the Vernon County Detention Center on preliminary charges of burglary, forgery, theft of moveable property, and bail jumping. Formal charges are expected to be filed by Vernon County District Attorney Angela Palmer-Fisher.

Strait appeared in Vernon County Circuit Court on Wednesday and was released on a $2,500 signature bond. As part of her bond conditions, she is prohibited from possessing or consuming controlled substances without a prescription, must avoid drug paraphernalia, and is subject to random drug testing by law enforcement upon reasonable suspicion.

She is scheduled to return to court on Sept. 23 at 10 a.m. to face charges in this case and two other open cases.

The investigation remains active. Authorities are working with law enforcement agencies in La Crosse, Cashton, and Crawford County. Anyone who believes they may have received a forged check or has information related to the case is urged to contact the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office at 608-637-2123 or submit an anonymous tip via Crime Stoppers at 608-637-TIPS or www.p3tips.com.