HUSTISFORD, Wis. (WFRV) – Two men from Missouri have been arrested in connection to an armed home invasion in Wisconsin back in late January 2023, after a year of ‘diligent investigative work’ by authorities.
An update was provided via the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office’s Facebook page, stating that 60-year-old Robert Ledbetter of Palmyra, Missouri, and 45-year-old Anthony Smith of Monroe City, Missouri.
Both men resided in Missouri, Ledbetter from Palmyra and Smith from Monroe City. Specifics were not provided as to why Ledbetter and Smith were in southeastern Wisconsin during the January 28, 2023 incident in Hustisford.
Two Appleton men sentenced for involvement in Fox Valley meth trafficking
Around 6:30 a.m. on January 28, 2023, deputies responded to a report of an armed home invasion on Indian Road when the victim reported two men forced entry into his house after telling him they were law enforcement officers looking for a homicide suspect.
The initial release stated that one of the men stayed with the victim, while the other began searching the house and asked where the victim’s valuables were. They then fled in a pickup truck.
“Throughout the past year, the Dodge County Criminal Investigations Division worked diligently to identify those involved in this home invasion by using nearly every investigative tool possible,” deputies said.
Two detectives from the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office were recently sent to southern Illinois and Missouri to try and locate Ledbetter. It was noted that Smith was already in custody on non-related charges.
Shortly after, Ledbetter was taken into custody on February 13 on the warrant out of Dodge County.
Deputies stated that both men are currently in custody in Missouri and are facing extradition back to Wisconsin for their initial court appearances.
The following charges have been requested and sent to the Dodge County District Attorney:
- Robert Ledbetter, 60
- Robbery Armed with a Weapon
- Felony
- Up to 40 years in prison
- Burglary to Building or Dwelling
- Felony
- Up to 12.5 years in prison
- Impersonating Peace Officer
- Felony
- Up to 6 years in prison
- False Imprisonment
- Felony
- Up to 6 years in prison
- Criminal Trespass to Dwelling
- Misdemeanor
- Up to 9 months in jail
- Intimidation of Victim
- Robbery Armed with a Weapon
- Anthony Smith, 45
- Robbery Armed with a Weapon
- Felony
- Up to 40 years in prison
- Burglary to Building or Dwelling
- Felony
- Up to 12.5 years in prison
- Impersonating Peace Officer
- Felony
- Up to 6 years in prison
- False Imprisonment
- Felony
- Up to 6 years in prison
- Criminal Trespass to Dwelling
- Misdemeanor
- Up to 9 months in jail
- Intimidation of Victim
- Robbery Armed with a Weapon
[I] would like to commend the entire criminal investigative division of the sheriff’s office for their work on this case as it was very challenging and began with very limited information. They followed the leads and made a solid case against the perpetrators in this case. Also, in closing this case they were able to obtain justice for the victim.
Sheriff Dale Schmidt, Dodge County Sheriff’s Office
No additional information was provided.
