LA FARGE, Wis – Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson reports a California man has been
identified as the source of a threatening telephone call made to leadership of OrganicEye,
a La Farge area non-profit organization with a watchdog mission of oversight in the organic
farming movement.
Previous to the threatening telephone call in February 2024, the organization also
contacted the Sheriff’s Office about receiving emails in late 2023 that were threatening in
nature. The Sheriff’s Office considers any threat of violence to our community serious and
launched a criminal investigation.
In collaboration with technical staff at OrganicEye and the Vernon County District Attorney,
the Sheriff’s Office applied to the court for search warrants to obtain electronic records
from two communications originating service providers.
Probable Cause, the legal threshold that must be met to obtain a warrant was established
and the warrants were authorized by Vernon County Circuit Court. Upon execution of the
search warrants, detectives were led to Gabriel Anthony Autio Ramirez, 23, of Santa
Cruz, Calif.
The investigation revealed that Ramirez is employed by CCOF, the nation’s largest USDA-
accredited organic certifier. Shortly before the threats began, OrganicEye had filed a
formal legal complaint against the organization alleging violation of federal law related to
conflicts of interest. The organization cooperated with the investigation. Except for
Ramirez, no other actors have been identified so far.
Sheriff Torgerson said investigations of this nature take time and effort. Not only would Sheriff Torgerson like to thank the victim for their patience but also recognize the dedication and diligence of the detective assigned to this case. He also extends his appreciation for the collaboration of law enforcement agencies in the state of California.
In written statement OrganicEye Executive Director Mark A. Kastel said CCOF and two other major USDA accredited certifiers, Oregon Tilth and Florida Organic Growers (FOG), have all been accused of alleged illegal conflicts of interest at the same time they are certifying large “organic” livestock factories and/or hydroponic (soilless) industrial greenhouses that many in the organic industry view as being in conflict with organic regulatory requirements.
Kastel went on to say OrganicEye has launched a national campaign to convince organic farmers to cut off the revenue stream of “ethically challenged” certifiers, shifting their patronage to the 10 preeminent USDA accredited certifiers that stand with farmers and “truly enforce the spirit and letter of the law.”
“I’ve been doing this work for almost 22 years and have been threatened with civil lawsuits many times by powerful corporate agribusinesses, “said Kastel. “But in all this time, this is the very first incident where I, along with my fellow staff members, have been threatened with violence.”
OrganicEye thanked both Sheriff Torgerson and investigator Egge for their long-term commitment to seeking justice and protecting the residents of Vernon County.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at (608) 637-2123. To remain
anonymous and report information about this crime or any other crime, call Vernon County
Crime Stoppers at 608-637-TIPS (8477).
Ramirez has not been charged, but the case is being referred to the Office of the Vernon
County District Attorney, Angela Palmer-Fisher, for review. Potential charges are Threats
to Injure, a Class H felony and/or Unlawful Use of a Telephone, a Class B Misdemeanor. A
charge is merely an accusation. Ramirez is presumed innocent unless and until proven
guilty.
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