Evers administration calls on Dodge County Sheriff’s Office to continue investigation

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Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers announced Wednesday that his administration is urging the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office not to close its investigation into Waupun Correctional Institution (WCI), but instead to keep the investigation open while the Wisconsin Department of Corrections (DOC) internal investigation and federal investigations continue.

The Governor also directs the DOC to continue its ongoing internal investigations into deaths in the Department’s custody until the investigation is fully completed. In addition, the Governor directs the DOC to submit the results of its internal investigation upon completion to the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office for further investigation and possible filing of additional charges.

The governor also announced that he was directing the department to fully release the results of its internal investigation, to the extent permitted by state and federal law, and only at a time that would not hinder or jeopardize ongoing police investigations.

Evers issued the following statement regarding the charges filed today in Dodge County:

“I am grateful to the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office for their work in this investigation. Last June, the Department of Corrections and I requested federal authorities’ assistance in investigating criminal activity in Waupun, and that investigation is ongoing. I expected from the beginning that the DOC and its employees would fully comply with law enforcement and internal investigations, and that continues to be my expectation.

“Every single person who does not do their job to the high standards we expect, or who does not treat the people in our care with the dignity, humanity and respect they deserve, should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law – it’s that simple. There must be accountability and justice. And I believe accountability and justice require that both internal and police investigations continue until they are exhaustive and thorough.

“Today, I am directing the DOC to continue its ongoing internal investigations to completion, notwithstanding the statement by the Dodge County Sheriff that its investigation is complete as a result of the charges filed today in Dodge County. I am also directing the Department to provide the results of its investigation to the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office for further investigation and possible charging, as appropriate.

“I further direct the Department to publish the results of its internal investigation in a report that shall be made publicly and fully available to the extent permitted by state and federal law and that does not impede or jeopardize any ongoing law enforcement investigation at this time.

“We have a duty to ensure that the people in our care, our officers and staff, and our communities are safe. And the criminal justice system must hold every wrongdoer accountable.”

Back in June 2023, Evers and the DOC requested that federal police conduct an in-depth investigation into possible criminal activity at WCI involving a conspiracy to smuggle contraband, including cell phones, illegal drugs, and other prohibited items, into the facility. The federal police investigation is ongoing.

The allegations followed several DOC raids at WCI, during which it was discovered that individuals at the facility were able to obtain contraband. An initial internal DOC investigation revealed allegations of possible employee involvement in these illegal activities, including indications of possible financial crimes.

Days after the conclusion of that initial investigation, which uncovered possible employee involvement, and given that the allegations involved multiple jurisdictions, the Evers administration called on federal law enforcement to investigate these allegations and promptly hold accountable all individuals involved in evading state and federal laws.