Public Indecency At Various Forest Preserves

NARRATIVE: Over the past two weeks, Winnebago County Sheriff’s deputies have conducted undercover investigations in response to incidents of public indecency in several forest preserves. Based upon that investigative effort, 10 people have been arrested for criminal offenses associated with this activity.

The following individuals were arrested at Espenscheid Forest Preserve (4816 S. Perryville Rd.) for the listed charge(s):

• David W. Wedig, 62 years old, 1133      N. 7^th St., Rochelle, IL-Charge: Public Indecency-Bond $1500.00 Arrested 09/11/14
• Rodger E. Atkins, 60 years old, 220      W. Grand Av., Beloit, WI-Charge: Public      Indecency-Bond $1500.00 Arrested 09/11/14
• Paul D. Welliver, 75 years old, 3201      Cavendish Dr., Rockford, IL-Charge:       Public Indecency-Bond $1500.00       Arrested 09/11/14

The following individuals were arrested at Blackhawk Springs East Forest Preserve (5801 S. Perryville Rd.) for the listed charge(s):

• Clarence Ernest Miracle, 61 years      old, 1326 19^th St., Rockford, IL-Charges: Public Indecency/Resisting a Peace      Officer-Bond $1500.00 Arrested 09/11/14
• James E. Neutz, 50 years old,      7079 Sorghum Ln., Cherry Valley, IL-Charge: Public Indecency-Bond $1500.00 Arrested 09/11/14

The following individuals were arrested at Kishwaukee Gorge Forest Preserve (4643 Blackhawk Rd.) for the listed charge(s):

• Russell R. Sergent, 44 years old,      597W13835 Stonebridge Way, Muskego, WI-Charge: Public Indecency-Bond $1500.00 Arrested 09/09/14
• Roy G. Rummel, 69 years old, 402      Shelden Dr., Winnebago, IL-Charge:       Public Indecency-Bond $1500.00       Arrested 09/09/14
• Paul A. White, 49 years old, 1647      9^th Av, Rockford, IL-Charge:       Public Indecency-Bond $1500.00       Arrested 09/10/14
• Robert F. Hessel, 53 years old, 3230      California Rd., Rockford, IL-Charge:       Public Indecency-Bond $1500.00       Arrested 09/11/14

The following individual was arrested at Kishwaukee River West Forest Preserve (5757 Blackhawk Rd.) for the listed charge(s):

• Thomas W. Nowak, 74 years old, 4206      Rolling Meadow Ln., Rockford, IL-Charge:       Public Indecency-Bond $1500.00       Arrested 09/11/14

The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office provides police services to the Winnebago County Forest Preserve District by contract. These types of investigations will continue as needed to address this type of activity.

These criminal charges are only accusations and these subjects are presumed to be innocent of the charges unless and until future court proceedings establish them to be guilty.