Former Monroe County Sheriff's Deputy Sentenced For Stealing Money From Citizens' Wallets While Checking Records During Traffic Stops

Richard Swenson Stole a Total of $3,500 in Felony misconduct in Office and Theft Case

MADISON - A former Monroe County Sheriff's Deputy, Richard Swenson (age 40), has been sentenced for felony misconduct in office and felony theft, for taking money from citizens' wallets while examining records, such as driver's licenses, during traffic stops.

Swenson has been ordered by the Hon. Steven L. Abbot, a Monroe County Circuit Court Judge, to serve a term of imprisonment of one year and five months confinement followed by one year extended supervision, and to pay restitution. He was also ordered to serve three years probation consecutive to the imprisonment.

According to the amended criminal complaint, the Monroe County Sheriff's Department employed Richard Swenson as a deputy sheriff assigned to general patrol duty. Several persons complained to the Monroe County Sheriff's Department regarding the loss of money following traffic stops with Swenson between May, 2006 and August, 2006. The victims claimed total losses of approximately $3,500.

As a result of these complaints, the Monroe County Sheriff's Department requested investigative assistance from the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI). Officers arrested Swenson on August 18, 2006, after he took money from an undercover DCI special agent's wallet during a traffic contact.

Swenson pled no contest to the charges on June 6, 2007.

The Monroe County Sheriff's Department and the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation conducted the criminal investigation. The Wisconsin Department of Justice prosecuted the case at the request of the Monroe County District Attorney Dan Cary. Assistant Attorney General Donald V. Latorraca represented the state.