Dec. 24, 2024
ONTARIO, Wis – A 41-year-old woman was arrested and faces multiple charges after police went to her home near Ontario for a welfare check on Monday. Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson reports deputies went to the home of Stacie Lynn Welter just off Hoff Valley Road shortly after 11:00 a.m. Sheriff Torgerson says deputies went to the home after his office received a call requesting a welfare, or wellness check, at the residence.
Sheriff Torgerson stated the person requesting the welfare check, who is in regular contact with Welter, had been unable to communicate with her since early last week and her dogs were running at large. Torgerson also stated the snow on the steep driveway had not been removed and the Sheriff’s Office had received a separate call about Welters animals running loose.
Torgerson said upon arrival at the residence, the responding deputy saw that the window on the front door was broken and as the deputy was investigating he heard Welter from inside the home make a statement about law enforcement being there. Welter was armed with an aluminum baseball bat and advanced toward the front door. The deputy was able to deescalate the situation, and Welter put the weapon down.
Torgerson said deputies continued to use try to de-escalate the situation and the deputy was able to transition from a firearm to a conducted energy device (Taser) while attempting to establish effective communication with Welter, but talks deteriorated and Welter picked up a metal rod, raised it while advancing toward the deputy. The deputy deployed the conducted energy device effectively to stop the threat and Welter was taken into custody without further incident.
Welter refused medical treatment and was transported to the Sheriff’s Office Detention Center and booked for first degree recklessly endangering safety, resisting or obstructing an officer, felony bail jumping, and prisoner throwing or expelling bodily fluids.
Sheriff Torgerson states that based on training, experience, and observations, drug use is suspected.
Torgerson initially reported that because the court will not be in session until Thursday, a sworn probable cause affidavit has been submitted to the Judge Timothy Gaskell to make a Judicial determination of probable cause within 48 hours of the arrest. Torgerson later updated the information on court processing and stated as of 8:30 a.m., just prior to his report, the court made a finding of probable cause. The defendant is expected to appear in Vernon County Circuit Court on Thursday, Dec. 26, for a bail hearing.
Torgerson said formal charges will be sought through Vernon County District Attorney Angela Palmer-Fisher and reminded the public that a charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Previous armed standoff at the same location
This is not the first time law enforcement has responded to this residence that resulted in a conflict with law enforcement and arrests. We reported back in February about an armed standoff that ensued at the same location after a report of shots being fired. That incident resulted in multiple agencies responding and setting up a perimeter with tactical units before negotiators successfully ended the incident with no injuries, and two arrests. Court records show a number of cases and charges that stem from of law enforcement responding to this location including child welfare, criminal damage to property and drug related cases.
Sheriff Torgerson on acquiring tools needed to operate safely
Sheriff Roy Torgerson said the investigation into this most recent incident continues and went on to thank the Vernon County Public Safety Committee, Finance Committee, and the entire Board of Supervisors, the Finance Department, and Vernon County Department of Administration for working with me and my team to approve the use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to upgrade our body worn cameras, in-vehicle dash cameras, and conducted energy devices.
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, also called the COVID-19 Stimulus Package or American Rescue Plan, was a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill passed by the 117th United States Congress and signed into law by President Biden on March 11, 2021. Vernon County received around $6 million as a result of the funding.
Torgerson said work toward the upgrade began in 2023 and was approved by the board as part of the fiscal year 2024 budget.
“Thank you for giving us the tools, such as this much-needed upgrade, and resources necessary to provide our officers with the highest level of training,” said Torgerson. “On behalf of everyone at the Sheriff’s Office, I greatly appreciate the support of the board and the great community we are truly blessed to serve.”
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