Cases dismissed without prejudice in Allamakee County against five individuals recently charged with selling a registered security without being licensed in Iowa
Leader of group now facing federal investigation; Local dismissal still leaves door open for possible future action
The five individuals from Iowa and Wisconsin recently charged in Allamakee County with violations of Iowa securities laws by the Iowa Insurance Division Fraud Bureau have all had their cases dismissed without prejudice as of a motion filed Thursday, June 12 in Allamakee County District Court.
According to its legal definition, dismissal without prejudice means that a case has been closed and charges have been dismissed but can be filed and tried again at a later date.
The cases dismissed involved charges filed earlier this year following an investigation conducted after an initial local complaint and a February 1 investment meeting arranged in Waukon by undercover investigators from the Iowa Insurance Division Fraud Bureau involving the five individuals, who were determined to be acting as agents for a company named Bright Silver LLC.
Stanley Pophal, age 63, of Wausau, WI; David Halvorson, age 59, of Galesville, WI; Gary Halvorson, Sr., age 58, of McGregor; Casey Halvorson, age 51, of McGregor; and Debra Mink, age 65, of Prairie Du Chien, WI, were all charged with selling - according to court documents - what was “determined to be a registered security without being licensed in the State of Iowa,” which is a Class D Felony. Arrest warrants were served on those five individuals in early April of this year, and all five had been scheduled for trial in Allamakee County District Court for either early July or mid-August of this year.
According to the June 12 motion for dismissal filed by Allamakee County Attorney Anthony Gericke, the ongoing investigation into the original case has resulted in additional “information, witnesses and documentation” that have caused the prosecution to reassess its approach to the case. “The State feels that it is in the best interests of justice and the integrity of the judicial process to continue to gather information to ensure the correct charges are filed,” the filed motion stated. “The State believes it is in the interests of both parties to reassess all information currently in hand and continue to collect additional information which may lend more clarity to the current matter as well as any potential further action taken by the State.”
FEDERAL INJUNCTION
Even though the cases in Allamakee County for all five have been dismissed, County Attorney Gericke advised that a federal investigation has begun into Pophal’s activities of a similar nature to what had led to the recent charges in Allamakee County. That investigation has resulted in the issuance of a preliminary injunction against Pophal and his operations listed as doing business as Fromm Bros.; Inc., Bright Silver, LLC; Angie’s Tranquil Settings, LLC; and Angela Pophal, LLC. That injunction order was served on Pophal Wednesday, June 4 in the United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin.
According to information shared by the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office, “the injunction prohibits Mr. Pophal from soliciting, using or obtaining any money through false or fraudulent representation. Further, the injunction denies Mr. Pophal access to $15,888,560.00 in real and personal assets discovered by federal authorities.
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