(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Pastor Monroe Mitchell III of Agape Love Church was charged last week with Repeated Sexual Assault of a Child and two counts of Attempted 4th Degree Sexual Assault for alleged conduct with his granddaughter. He appeared in court today, September 23, 2022, for his preliminary hearing. This is a hearing to determine if probable cause exists that a felony occurred. Both the prosecution and the defense are allowed to call witnesses. Mitchell waived his right to have this hearing today.
(Zoom)
Mitchell hired local activist-attorney Aileen Henry, who predominately displayed progressive signage during the time that court was done over Zoom, to represent him. Aileen is known as a kind, hard-working attorney, but by many accounts in the legal circle, she doesn’t go to trial often. This could be a hint of what’s to come.
Kenosha’s DA, Mike Graveley, is a big supporter of Pastor Mitchell and his family. So supportive, in fact, that he asked Governor Tony Evers to pardon Mitchell’s felonies. Mitchell has a serious criminal history including the following charges and/or convictions:
1985 Obstruct Officer
1985 Disorderly Conduct
1991 Felony Possession of Controlled Substances
1991 Probation Violation
1991 Probation Violation
1994 Felony Manufacture/ Delivery Crack Cocaine (4 Years Prison)
1997 Domestic Abuse / Domestic Battery
2004 Domestic Abuse / Disorderly Conduct
2022 Repeated Sexual Assault of a Child and Two Counts of Attempted Second Degree (Pending)
Three days after Mitchell was charged, we asked DA Graveley if his office would be handling the prosecution. Graveley told us, “We have not made a final decision on keeping it.” In court today, the Kenosha DA’s Office was present and participated in the proceeding. We followed up with the DA and he told us today, “Yes. We are handling it. I’m confident in our ability to handle the case appropriately.” Those of you who read KCE often, know that Graveley frequently asserts a “conflict of interest” for cases that he doesn’t want to handle, usually due to political reasons. For example, here are some cases he recused himself on due to conflicts recently:
-Extremist group blocking Public Safety building – Joe Cardinali, Justin Blake, and Jonathan Barker
-Disorderly Conduct and Resisting Arrest of Joel Trudell
-Former County Board Chairman Daniel Esposito Felony Shoplifting
-Former Somers Municipal Court Clerk Francine (Fran) Dibble Allegations of Felony Forgery
-Jacob Blake’s sexual assault of his ex-girlfriend
-Kenosha Firefighter Kerry Poltrock Multiple Sexual Assault of His Children
-Kenosha Firefighter Kerry Poltrock Multiple Domestic Violence Charges Against His Wife
-Kenosha Police Officer arrested for felony child abuse.
-Pleasant Prairie Corruption Scandal
-Kenosha Police Officer Kendall West’s Multiple Day Felonious Crime Spree
– Sheriff David Beth Misappropriation Investigation
Of all the times that Graveley recused himself unnecessarily, this case is one that would have been appropriate. Most of the above cases were sent to Racine or Walworth Counties. Graveley’s personal relationship with Mr. Mitchell and his son Sharmain Harris, another violent, convicted felon, gives the public the perception that he might go easy on Pastor Mitchell. The Kenosha DA’s office rarely pleads down felony sexual assault cases to misdemeanors, but in this case it’s possible, and maybe likely.
DA Graveley is a big supporter of Monroe Mitchell’s son Sharmain. Both of these men have a very similar and extensive criminal history of domestic violence and selling drugs. Graveley nonetheless wants both men to have their felonies pardoned.
(Facebook)
Monroe released the following statement on his Facebook page yesterday:
According to the statement, Kenosha DCFS allowed the three minors to live with Pastor Mitchell. We asked DCFS Director Ron Rogers and his boss John Jansen why his office didn’t notify the police last year when the victim notified them of the repeated sexual assaults. He didn’t comment. We asked him why he let three children live with a violent felon. We didn’t hear back. We notified County Executive Samantha Kerkman and the County Board of these egregious mistakes and suggested they investigate them. We didn’t hear back from anyone.
(Ron Rogers photo from Kenosha County website, photo of Jansen – Kenosha County Eye)
Pastor Mitchell is due back in court on December 9, 2022, for a judicial pretrial conference. KCE will be keeping a dedicated “eye” on this case to see if Graveley gives his buddy a break.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
12 Responses
Felonies and pardons apparently run in the family. At what point will criminals be held accountable? Sad world we live in. Awaiting the cowardly support from the cardinal and berg support channels
We must give this mighty man of God the benefit of the doubt for now until the trial is over. We need more churches like this, on every corner in downtown Kenosha. Mandela Barnes, Cavalier Johnson, Anthony Kennedy and Director of Public Affairs for Bear Development Tim Mahone should lead the charge. Someone with a set of balls needs to ask each of them on the record if they believe in reparations. God have mercy on this pastors soul if he if found guilty. I recall rumors of MANY other “pastors” in Kenosha accused of similar alegtions. The news never reported it. This pastor will need to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to defend himself
now to prove his innocence… maybe George Soros can help out. In the mean time kudos to Kevin for continuing to peel back every layer of this onion.
Matthew 18:6
but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,[a] it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.
What’s Kerkman doing about John Jansen and Ron Rodgers? Kerkman has the authority to fire department heads and I can’t think of a better justification than how this was handled. If Kerkman doesn’t do anything, she’s a RINO, a Democrat, protecting sex offenders and allowing those in charge to perpetuate this blatant disregard of safety for our children.
Kerkman isn’t doing shit about anything. Get rid of the political fighting for a minute….bottom line is she fucking blows at her job regardless of whether she is a Republican, Democrat, RINO, Green Party….it doesn’t matter. She is incredibly inept.
Look how quickly he bailed himself out of jail. No need for DA Graveley to listen in on his phone conversations, is there? Normal practice for the DA, it’s not about the crime. it’s about your “character” that’s get’s you convicted in this court house. Speaking of “character” it appears there is whole lot less of it in Kenosha county than these “leaders” give themselves credit for. Maybe daddy bible thumper should have taught his kids to have some, nobody would be asking for a pardon if he had.
Get rid of Graveley. He sucks.
Sam Kerkman is doing the job. Some department heads should be fired but let her evaluate them out of their position. She has to document things they are doing wrong so we don’t get sued . She has in my opinion year to get rid of any or all dead Weight. So give her some time .
Kevin, you need to investigate Loren Keating. He is very inconsistent with assigning bond for similar crimes. Some people get a signature bond , some people get $15,000, some people get $75,000. He needs to be removed from his position.
I see all the racist pos in these comments or big mad.. lol
Dude to the guy that makes this shit when I see your fat ass I’m kicking your fat ass mr incredible
I C Jones BIG C out of so south side of chicago To kkk get the fuck out my pastor Monroe Mitchell business and out his court case this my family and keep ? as threat and your hate and stick up your ass we As my Pastor say am no door mat I will kick your ass am Christian that done play with know boby
Being disrespectful to my friends Mr pastor Monroe and Diana Mitchell we got you security will React