On April 17, 2023 the Green County Sheriff’s Office received contact from JEREMIAH L STRESE, 47, of rural Monticello, who reported to law enforcement that his 2002 Bayliner 184 Capri Fish and Ski Boat with trailer and additional personal property contained within had been stolen from his rural Green County residence. Surveillance footage from another property captured the boat being removed from the area by a motor vehicle with distinct features. Following the report to law enforcement, STRESE ultimately filed an insurance claim for the reported loss and received reimbursement.
This investigation remained active for more than a year with members of the Green County Sheriff’s Office Detective Bureau having sought, obtained, and served a number of search warrants to further the investigation. During the course of the investigation, it was determined that STRESE enlisted the assistance of another subject to “steal” his boat from his property with the intent to file an insurance claim for his reported loss. Probable Cause was established to arrest JEREMIAH STRESE for the crimes of Obstructing an Officer, Make Fraudulent Insurance Claims, and Theft-False Representation with STRESE being arrested on April 15, 2024 and officially charged under 2024CF78 on April 18, 2024. Numerous items that had been reported as stolen by STRESE were recovered by law enforcement, including items recovered from STRESE’s residence.
Among the numerous search warrants executed during the course of this investigation was a property excavation warrant (executed on April 18, 2024 ~ 1 year + 1 day following the initial report by STRESE) in which portions of STRESE’s boat were ultimately unearthed and recovered from a property in York Township. Assistance was received from the Green County Highway Department for heavy equipment operation during the search and recovery efforts.
On October 15, 2024 JEREMIAH STRESE appeared in Green County Circuit Court before the Honorable Judge Faun Phillipson where pleas of “No Contest” were entered and accepted. Under the joint recommendation by the prosecution and defense counsels – JEREMIAH STRESE was found guilty of: Obstructing an Officer, Make Fraudulent Insurance Claims, while a 24 month Deferred Conviction Agreement was reached for the Felony charge of Theft. As part of the conviction, STRESE was placed on probation for a period of 24 months, has already repaid the costs associated with the excavation, repaid the insurance company for the false claim, and is presently serving a 9 month jail sentence within the Green County Jail.
Additional information on these charges and conviction can be found on the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access Page (CCAP) under Green County case 2024CF78. https://www.wicourts.gov/casesearch.htm
Submitted,
Chief Deputy John M. Schuetz, #2