Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt held a news conference Wednesday to announce the results of an investigation into four deaths at the Waupun Correctional Facility. The sheriff's office investigated deaths that occurred between June 2023 and February 2024. The investigation revealed “a blatant disregard for life safety.” human beings,” according to Schmidt. Investigation reveals systemic failures The investigation revealed critical oversights. Schmidt said the findings highlight systemic failures, manifesting in mismanagement of medications, ignored signs of medical distress and deadly delays in meeting the needs of inmates, leading to preventable deaths and highlighting serious gaps in care. It also identified a deficit in necessary security infrastructure, such as surveillance technologies and measures. Contraband Control Unit Those charged include medical staff and corrections officers. Nine people – including Warden Randall Hepp and eight of his employees – face charges related to the deaths. against residents of correctional institutions (a Class I felony) and misconduct in public office (a Class I felony). The Sheriff's Department requested that the nine individuals surrender themselves by 9 a.m. Wednesday. They had not been previously arrested. All individuals made their first court appearance Wednesday afternoon. Hepp is charged with misconduct in public office. Registered nurses, correctional officers, lieutenants and a sergeant are among those accused of mistreating correctional facility residents, which is a felony. Three of them – two correctional officers and a correctional sergeant – are also accused of misconduct in public office. Nurse Gwendolyn Vick, Corrections Lt. Brandon Fisher and Corrections Sergeant Tanner Leopold are all accused of abusing correctional facility residents in the death of Cameron Williams in October. Williams died of a stroke. His mother also filed a civil suit against the prison and corrections department leaders. Nurse Jessica Hosfelt, Correctional Officer Jamall Russell, Correctional Sergeant Alexander Hollfelder and Correctional Lieutenant Brandon Fisher are accused of abusing correctional facility residents following the death of Donald Maier. Investigations show that Maier died of dehydration and malnutrition, his death was ruled a homicide. Correctional Officer Sarah Ransbottom, Correctional Officer Jamall Russell, Correctional Sergeant Jeramie Chalker and Warden Randall Hepp are all charged with misconduct in public office in Maier's death. Schmidt stressed that all those charged are innocent until proven guilty. Sheriff calls for reform within Department of Corrections The sheriff also called for reform within the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. “We operate the oldest prison in the state,” Schmidt said. “These facilities are not adequately staffed and are not updating their units to keep inmates and staff safe. It's time to stop turning a blind eye to these problems.” He stressed the need for prison inspections similar to those conducted in county jails. Additionally, he advocated for improved surveillance technology, staff training and contraband scanners. While acknowledging recent positive steps taken by the new Secretary of the Department of Corrections, Schmidt emphasized the importance of continued accountability.
WAUPUN, Wis. —
Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt held a news conference Wednesday to announce the results of an investigation into four deaths at the Waupun Correctional Facility.
The sheriff's office investigated deaths that occurred between June 2023 and February 2024. The investigation revealed “a blatant disregard for the safety of human beings,” according to Schmidt.
Investigation reveals systemic failures
The investigation revealed critical omissions. Schmidt said the findings point to systemic failures, manifesting in poor medication management, ignored signs of medical distress and deadly delays in meeting inmates' needs, leading to preventable deaths and highlighting serious gaps in care.
It also identified a gap in necessary security infrastructure, such as surveillance technologies and smuggling control measures.
Those charged include medical staff and correctional officers
Nine people, including director Randall Hepp and eight of his associates, face charges related to the deaths. The case revolves around mistreatment of residents of correctional facilities (a Class I felony) and misconduct in public office (a Class I felony).
The Sheriff's Department requested that the nine individuals surrender themselves by 9 a.m. Wednesday. They had not been arrested before.
All individuals made their first court appearance Wednesday afternoon.
Hepp is accused of misconduct in public office.
Registered nurses, correctional officers, lieutenants and a sergeant are among those accused of abusing correctional facility residents, which constitutes a crime. Three of them – two correctional officers and a correctional sergeant – are also accused of misconduct in public office.
Nurse Gwendolyn Vick, Corrections Lt. Brandon Fisher and Corrections Sergeant Tanner Leopold are all accused of abusing correctional facility residents in the death of Cameron Williams in October. Williams died of a stroke. His mother also filed a civil suit against the prison and corrections department leaders.
Nurse Jessica Hosfelt, Correctional Officer Jamall Russell, Correctional Sergeant Alexander Hollfelder and Correctional Lieutenant Brandon Fisher are accused of abusing correctional facility residents following the death of Donald Maier. The investigation shows that Maier died of dehydration and malnutrition, his death was ruled a homicide.
Correctional Officer Sarah Ransbottom, Correctional Officer Jamall Russell, Correctional Sergeant Jeramie Chalker and Warden Randall Hepp are all charged with misconduct in public office following Maier's death.
Schmidt stressed that all those charged are innocent until proven guilty.
Sheriff calls for reform within Corrections Department
The sheriff also called for reform within the Wisconsin Department of Corrections.
“We operate the oldest prison in the state,” Schmidt said. “These facilities are not adequately staffed and are not updating their units to keep inmates and staff safe. It's time to stop turning a blind eye to these problems.”
He stressed the need for prison inspections similar to those conducted in county jails. Additionally, he advocated for improved surveillance technology, staff training and contraband scanners.
While acknowledging recent positive steps taken by the new Secretary of the Department of Corrections, Schmidt emphasized the importance of continued accountability.
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accident Death Investigation Dodge County Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt incident news Randall Hepp safety Waupun Waupun Correctional Facility Waupun Prison Wisconsin
