Threatening Caller Identified

A California man has been identified as the source of a threatening telephone call made to leadership of OrganicEye, a La Farge area non-profit organization with a watchdog mission of oversight in the organic farming movement.

Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson reports the organization received a threatening telephone call in February 2024. The organization also contacted the Sheriff’s Office about receiving emails in late 2023 that were threatening in nature. The Sheriff’s Office considers any threat of violence to our community serious and launched a criminal investigation.

In collaboration with technical staff at OrganicEye and the Vernon County District Attorney, the Sheriff’s Office applied to the court for search warrants to obtain electronic records from two communications originating service providers. Probable Cause was established and the warrants were authorized by Vernon County Circuit Court. Detectives were led to Gabriel Anthony Autio Ramirez, 23 of Santa Cruz, California.

The investigation revealed that Ramirez is employed by CCOF, the nation’s largest USDA- accredited organic certifier. Shortly before the threats began, OrganicEye had filed a formal legal complaint against the organization alleging violation of federal law related to conflicts of interest. The organization cooperated with the investigation. Except for Ramirez, no one else has been identified so far.

Ramirez has not been charged, but the case is being referred to the Office of the Vernon County District Attorney for review. Potential charges are Threats to Injure, a Class H felony and/or Unlawful Use of a Telephone, a Class B Misdemeanor.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 608-637-2123. To remain anonymous and report information about this crime or any other crime, call Vernon County Crime Stoppers at 608-637-TIPS (8477).