News

8/31    A deputy initiated a traffic stop on Larson Road in the Town of Kickapoo for a vehicle that failed to stop at a stop sign. During the stop it appeared that the driver was impaired. They were taken into custody for Operating While Under the Influence – #3^rd Offense and transported to the Sheriff’s Office Detention Center.

9/1       A deputy responded to Easy Street in the Village of Stoddard after receiving report of a domestic disturbance.

9/1       Dispatch received a complaint regarding early morning fireworks going off near Pearl Street in the Village of Stoddard. The reporting party called back after learning it was opening weekend of duck season and they had likely heard gun shots, not fireworks.

9/1       Dispatch received multiple calls regarding a vehicle driving erratically near County Road J in the Town of Franklin. A deputy was able to locate the vehicle in question and it appeared the driver may have been having a medical issue. The deputy waited on scene until another driver arrived.

9/1       A female called to report her husband had been shot in the belly with a pellet gun while they were on a boat near Pearl Street in the Village of Stoddard. Deputies and EMS were dispatched to assist the male. The case is open and pending further investigation.

9/3       Dispatch was notified of a car versus deer crash on US Highway 14 in the Town of Christiana. Jena Cornell, Westby, was driving westbound when she struck the deer rendering her GMC Acadia inoperable. No injuries were reported and the vehicle was towed.

9/4       A deputy was dispatched to a residence on North State Street in the Village of La Farge following a vehicle break in. An undetermined amount of money was taken from the center console and though the truck was still operational, the ignition appeared to have been tampered with.

9/4       A deputy responded to a residence on Main Street in the Village of De Soto after the owner of a vehicle reported that someone had caused damage to their vehicle by pushing the rear window in and had also siphoned some gasoline from the tank. The case is open and pending further investigation.

9/6       A truck struck a deer on West York Street in the Village of Viola and the deer was presumed to be deceased. When the driver Dale Clements, La Farge, called to notify dispatch, the deer got up and was struck again by a second vehicle driven by Lucy Kabat, La Farge. Occupants reported no injuries and vehicles received nondisabling damage.

IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION ON AN ABOVE CRIME, OR ANY CRIME, CALL THE VERNON COUNTY CRIME STOPPERS AT 608-637-8477 OR 1-800-657-6868 OR SUBMIT AN ONLINE TIP AT WWW.P3TIPS.COM 

Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson and Westby Chief of Police Scott Stuber jointly
report the arrest of Adrian D. L. Thomas, age 42, of Westby, WI.
On Thursday morning, August 14, 2025, a search warrant was executed at a residence located on
Sunflower Street in the City of Westby.
Adrian D. L. Thomas, age 42, was taken into custody and booked into the Sheriff’s Office Detention
Center for drug and weapons-related offenses. Thomas appeared in Vernon County Circuit Court the
following day. The Honorable Timothy J. Gaskell ordered a $50,000.00 Cash Bond.
On August 22, 2025, Vernon County District Attorney Angela Palmer-Fisher filed the following charges
with the Office of Clerk of Court Sheila Olson:
1) §941.29(1m)(a) Possession of a Firearm by Convicted Felon
2) §961.41(1m)(cm)2 Possession of Cocaine (>5-15g) With Intent to Deliver
3) §961.41(1m)(e)3 Possession of Amphetamine/Methamphetamine (>10-50g) with
Intent to Deliver
4) §961.573(1) Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
All charges include a Repeater modifier under §939.62(1)(a). A charge is merely an accusation.
Adrian Thomas is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. A Preliminary Hearing was
scheduled for today, September 3, 2025, in Vernon County Circuit Court.
Assisting the Sheriff’s Office and Westby Police were the La Crosse Police Department, La Farge Police
Department, Cashton Police Department, and the Vernon County Department of Human Services.
The Sheriff’s Office is also a member of the West Central Metropolitan Enforcement Group, a six-
county drug task force.
The investigation continues. If you have any information about these crimes, or any other crimes,
please call Crime Stoppers at 608-637-TIPS (8477) or submit an online tip at www.p