Local News

Today, Monroe County District Attorney Kevin D. Croninger announced that on June 25th, 2025,
Honorable Judge Richard Radcliffe sentenced Brian J. Jones, 54, of Camp Douglas, Wisconsin, to an additional 40 years in prison.
Jones is already serving a 60 year prison sentence in relation to child sex crimes he was convicted of in Juneau County. The sentence handed down in Monroe County will add to the amount of time Jones will spend it prison.
Jones will not be eligible to be released from prison on extended supervision until the year 2116, at which time Jones would be 145 years old 
The Monroe County sentence comes after a Monroe County Jury convicted Jones in March of 2025 of seven counts related to sexual assault of a child including, Sexual Assault of a Child Under Age 13; Repeated Sexual Assault of a Child; two(2) counts of Incest; and three(3) counts of Exposing Genitals. The charges in Monroe County stem from Jones’ conduct that occurred between the Summer of 1995 and the Spring of 2003, during which time Jones repeatedly sexually assaulted the victim in this case. The victim was between the ages of 6 and 13 during the repeated sexual assaults.
District Attorney Kevin Croninger praised the sentence from Judge Radcliffe and emphasized the importance of achieving justice for all victims, “While Mr. Jones was already serving a sentence which would likely consume the rest of his natural life, we felt it extremely important to seek justice for the victim in this case as well. The victim in this case deserved to see justice done. Judge Radcliffe’s sentence ensures justice for the victim and further ensures that Mr. Jones will never again live outside the confines of a prison. We are thankful Judge Radcliffe agreed it was important to have a separate and independent sentence in relation to the crimes committed in Monroe County.”
Croninger, continued, “Brian Jones is a monster and a predator, who repeatedly and persistently committed acts of sexual violence against children. The world and our community is a far better and safer place with him locked away in prison.”
The prosecution of the case was handled by Monroe County District Attorney Kevin Croninger with support and assistance by the staff of the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office.
The investigation of the case was led by Detective Ben Goehring of the Juneau County Sheriff’s Office, with the assistance of Detective John Brose of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. Croninger reiterated the high quality of work from Detective Goehring and all officers involved, “The number of people Mr. Jones has victimized is astounding. Detective Goehring and all law enforcement officers and agencies involved in this case have demonstrated a tireless commitment to achieving justice for all of those victims. Their professionalism and skill made the convictions in this case, and in the case(s) in Juneau County possible. We are immensely grateful for law enforcement’s commitment to achieving justice for all the victims. We hope that the verdicts and sentences in this case help all those Mr. Jones has victimized find some level of peace as they continued to address the trauma he has caused”

Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson and Reedsburg Police Chief Patrick Cummings jointly
report developments in an ongoing, multi-jurisdictional sexual assault investigation.
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 underage victims, on multiple
occasions, in multiple locations.
The Sheriff’s Office and Reedsburg Police, with the assistance of the Hillsboro Police
Department, have been vigorously investigating the serious allegations.
Early Monday afternoon, June 30, 2025, Ashley Ann Benson, age 33, of rural Coon Valley, WI
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 1st, for a bail
hearing. A $5,000.00 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 22nd, at 8:30 AM.
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.
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
Crime Stoppers at 608-637-TIPS (8477), or 1 (888) TIP-SAUK, or submit an online tip at
www.p3tips.com.

On June 25, 2025 the Adams County Sheriff’s Office served search warrants at three separate residences in Adams County. Locations included the 400 block of Raymond St. in Village of Friendship, the 1400 block of Evergreen Ave in the Town of Easton and 1000 block of Fern Ave in the Town of Springville. This was a coordinated effort related to recent drug activity.

Throughout all three locations the following items were discovered; over 40 grams of Methamphetamine, over 40 grams THC, 2.94 grams of Fentanyl, 1.23 grams of Cocaine, multiple items of drug paraphernalia including smoking devices and scales, a short-barreled shotgun, two hand guns, ammunition and cash.

Multiple subjects were taken into custody or will have charges referred to the Adams County District Attorneys Office. Some of those charges include:

Cory Pagel, age 31 of Adams, WI – Possession of Firearm by a Felon, Possession of Short-Barreled Shotgun and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Torrey Akkerman, age 40 of Friendship, WI – Possession with intent to deliver Meth, Possession of THC, Maintain Drug Trafficking Location, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Prescription Drugs without a Valid Prescription

Elizabeth Brigman, age 35 of Friendship, WI – Possession with intent to deliver Meth, Possession of THC, Maintain Drug Trafficking Location, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Prescription Drugs without a Valid Prescription

Joseph Baker, age of 31 Wis. Rapids, WI – Obstructing an Officer

Alexander Mcallister, age 26 of Friendship, WI – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Felony Bail Jumping

Sam Smith, age 58 of Friendship, WI – Possession of Meth, Possession of THC and Maintain Drug Trafficking Location

Ryan Gandee age 31 of Friendship, WI – Possession of Meth, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Dean Best, age 50 of Grand Marsh, WI – Possession of Meth, Possession of THC, Possession of Fentanyl, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Maintain Drug Trafficking Location

Jessica Ambrose, age 36 of Grand Marsh, WI – Possession of Meth, Possession of THC, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Maintain Drug Trafficking Location

Jesse Stone, age 18 of Grand Marsh, WI – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by members of the Central Wisconsin Drug Task Force, Adams County Health and Human Services and Lifestar Ambulance.