Fraud Alert

MEDIA RELEASE

DATE OF RELEASE:          April 2, 2026

INCIDENT #:                         N/A

SUBJECT:                             FRAUD ALERT

AUTHORIZED BY:               Sheriff Kevin Bygd

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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The Dunn County Sheriff’s Office has been notified by several people that they have received phone calls from someone claiming to be from the Dunn County Sheriff’s Office, Jail Division asking for money for family members that are currently in jail.

The Dunn County Jail will never call family members or friends of inmates to ask for money to pay for special programs or special housing for their loved one. On occasion, the jail staff may assist inmates in making phone calls to try to secure bond money to get out of jail, but you would be directed to our official website or our Sheriff’s Office App to deposit money into the inmates’ account.

If there is any question as to the validity of a phone call allegedly coming from our jail, you can always call the jail at 715-232-2220 to verify what you are being told. We do not have anyone that works here by the last name of Bradshaw.

It appears that these scammers are using our current inmate roster to target family members. Please don’t fall for these scams.

You can visit our official website at dunncountysheriff.com or download our app by going to the Google or Apple app store and searching Dunn County Sheriff, WI or even DUSO to find our app.

If you believe you have been a victim of a scam, you can call the Dunn County Communications Center to report it at 715-232-1348 to be connected with a deputy.

Sheriff Kevin Bygd 

Dunn County Jail inmates earn high school equivalency diplomas

An innovative program at the Dunn County Jail is giving inmates the chance to earn their High School Equivalency Diploma through a partnership with Literacy Chippewa Valley.

The program, coordinated through the jail’s education services, allows inmates to work toward their HSED while incarcerated, said Heather Pyka, Jail Program Director, adding that Dunn County was one of first jails in the state to use a computerized equivalency testing program.

Instruction is provided by Literacy Chippewa Valley, a nonprofit organization that delivers adult education programming throughout the region, with grants paying for the program.

Participation varies based on inmate population and individual progress. At any given time, between two and six inmates may be actively working toward their HSED, Pyka said, adding that the program includes separate education groups for men and women.

“We always have students working on their diploma, though participation can change from day to day,” she said.

Pyka said earning a high school equivalency diploma carries huge benefits for incarcerated individuals once they are released.

“Many jobs require a diploma or an equivalent, and you often need it to continue your education,” she said. “It also helps build confidence. Completing something like this, sometimes years after leaving school, is a significant achievement.”

She added: “Many of our participants are parents. This kind of accomplishment is a strong example for their families.”

Not all county jails are able to provide on-site educational services, she said, but Dunn County has prioritized access to education as part of its rehabilitation efforts.

Inmates do not need to be sentenced for a specific length of time to participate. Even those with short stays are encouraged to begin coursework and are provided information on how to continue their education after release.

In addition to HSED instruction, Literacy Chippewa Valley offers a variety of other educational opportunities inside the jail.

Aleah Sauter, a Literacy Chippewa Valley educator, said she has helped about 25 inmates in the Dunn and Chippewa County jails achieve their equivalency diploma in the last 18 months.

“We partner with the Chippewa Valley Technical College to process the testing and make sure we are meeting state requirements,” Sauter added.

In addition, Pyka said, 12 inmates in April are scheduled to become certified in CPR, AED and first aid, and these credentials can improve job readiness and community outcomes after release.

“These programs are about giving people tools they can use moving forward,” Pyka said. “Education and certification can make a real difference when someone is re-entering the community.”

Dunn County Sheriff's Office Announces New Smartphone App

Dunn County Sheriff Kevin Bygd is excited to announce the release of a custom smartphone application. The app will serve as an innovative way for the Sheriff’s Office to connect with Dunn County residents and visitors, providing information quickly and efficiently to anyone with a smartphone.

Sheriff Kevin Bygd said the app was designed to aid the sheriff’s office in staying connected to citizens quickly, accurately and conveniently. The Sheriff’s app provides addiction and substance use resources, mental health resources, news and updates from the agency, a live and searchable jail inmate roster, online reporting, and it also provides the ability to receive push notifications on a device regarding important news or emergencies. The new Sheriff’s app was paid for through grant funding.

The Dunn County Sheriff’s Office app is available to download for free in the App Store and Google Play by searching “Dunn County Sheriff, WI” or by clicking the link or QR code below.

Sheriff Kevin Bygd

03-23-2026 Dunn County Sheriff Announces New Smartphone App.pdf

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