Vernon County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Stacie Lynn Welter, 41, of Ontario on Monday, according to a press release by Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson.
Shortly after 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 23, the sheriff’s office received a call requesting a welfare or wellness check at the Welter residence, located on Hoff Valley Road in rural Ontario, in the town of Whitestown. The requestor, who is in regular contact with Welter, had been unable to communicate with her since early last week, her dogs were running at large, and the snow from the steep driveway had not been removed, according to the press release. (The sheriff’s office also received a separate call about the animals running loose.)
Upon arrival at the residence, the deputy saw that the window on the front door was broken. 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.
De-escalation tactics continued, and the deputy was able to transition from a firearm to a conducted energy device (for example, a Taser) while attempting to establish effective communication with Welter. Talks deteriorated, and Welter picked up a metal rod and raised it while advancing toward the deputy, according to the press release. 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 Vernon County 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.
Based on training, experience, and observations, police suspected drug use, according to the press release.
Because court will not be in session until Thursday, a sworn probable-cause affidavit has been submitted to the Honorable Judge Timothy J. Gaskell to make a judicial determination of probable cause within 48 hours of the arrest.
(At 8:30 a.m., just prior to release, 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.)
Formal charges will be sought through Vernon County District Attorney Angela Palmer-Fisher. A charge is merely an accusation. The defendant, Stacie Welter, is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty, according to the sheriff’s office.
The investigation actively continues.
Sheriff Roy Torgerson thanked the Public Safety Committee, the Finance Committee, the entire Board of Supervisors, the Finance Department, and the Vernon County Department of Administration for working with him and his team to approve the use of American Rescue Plan Act funds to upgrade the department’s body-worn cameras, in-vehicle dash cameras, and conducted energy devices.
Work toward the upgrade began in 2023 and was approved by the board as part of the fiscal year 2024 budget, according to Torgerson.
He said, “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. 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.”
