Five people were arrested in Sawyer County this week following an investigation into alleged internet crimes against children. Sawyer County Sheriff’s deputies and officers from other agencies executed two search warrants on Tuesday in the Drytown community of the Lac Courte Oreilles reservation. The warrants were obtained after a detailed investigation into internet crimes against children. According to a press release from the sheriff’s department, investigators believed there were computers present in the residences possessing child pornography.
Initially two subjects were taken into custody, along with various computers and other digital media sources. During execution of the warrants, intelligence was gathered lead officers to a third residence in Couderay. There, two people fled on foot but were apprehended and a third person in the residence was also taken into custody.
Arrested and transported to the Sawyer County Jail in Hayward were Anthony J. Hollen of Couderay, for ten felony counts of possession of child pornography and one charge of possession of THC, Sarah J. Tainter of Hayward, for a probation and parole hold, Patrick D. Tainter of Hayward, for Wisconsin and Minnesota felony warrants, William H. Fowler of Hayward, for a Wisconsin felony probation and parole warrant and Courtney L. Miller of Couderay, for obstructing and harboring a known felon. Sawyer County Judge Wright issued Hollen a $500 cash bond with the condition he is not to use the internet. Miller was released on a $500 signature bond, and the other three subjects are being held for other agencies.