July 10, 2026
VIROQUA, Wis – Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson reports that on Friday morning, July 3 at approximately 9:00 a.m., a search warrant was executed at a residence on Nelson Road, rural Viroqua in the Town of Franklin as part of an ongoing investigation.
As a result of that search Jon Charles Fanta, 62, of rural Viroqua was arrested and booked into the Sheriff’s Office Detention Center for:
- Possess Drug Paraphernalia
- Possession of Methamphetamine
- Bail Jumping-Felony**
- Maintain Drug Trafficking Place
- Probation Violation
Janice Kay Bunts, 61, of rural Viroqua was also arrested and booked into the Sheriff’s Office Detention Center for felony bail jumping.
Both Fanta and Bunts appeared in Vernon County Circuit Court on Monday, July 6. Fanta was held on a $50,000 cash bond and due back on court on July 16 at 1:00 p.m. Bunts was released on a $1,000 signature bond and due back in court at 9:00 a.m. on July 28.
Formal charges will be sought through Vernon County District Attorney Angela Palmer-Fisher. A charge is merely an accusation. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Assisting the Sheriff’s Office were the Viroqua Police Department and the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office. Both counties are members of the West Central Metropolitan Enforcement Group, a 6-county drug task force proving support to law enforcement agencies.
The District Attorney is expected to file a motion with the court to request that the $10,000 that Fanta posted in March 2025 (Case 25-CF-41) be forfeited.
Further investigation and testing has revealed the presence of Fentanyl.
The incident remains under investigation.
If you have any information about this crime, or any other crimes, call Crime Stoppers at 608-637-TIPS (8477) or submit information online at www.p3tips.com
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