Racine County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Death At Sturtevant Prison

Copied!
Racine Correctional Institution Sturtevant
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Kenosha County Eye was tipped off today that there was a death at Racine Correctional Institution in Sturtevant. The prison is a part of Governor Tony Evers’ (D) state-wide Department of Corrections. KCE reached out to the Racine County Sheriff’s Office to confirm the tip.

Paid Advertisement
Racine County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Michael Luell

A spokesman for the Sheriff’s office, Lieutenant Michael Luell confirmed that “the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Bureau is investigating a death at the Wisconsin Department of Corrections Facility, Racine Correctional Institute, in the Village of Sturtevant. RCI staff is cooperating fully in the investigation. The investigation is on going and I cannot comment further on the facts of the case.”

Paid Advertisement

KCE was told that an inmate died and there was “use of force” by RCI staff. Drugs are also thought to have possibly contributed to the death.

Paid Advertisement

KCE has also reached out to the Wisconsin DOC for comment, and spokesman John Beard told us there was a death at the facility, but could not comment further. RCI has come under scrutiny lately for a series of misconduct allegations leading to two arrests and possible a third to come shortly.

Paid Advertisement
Jacqueline Heidt

On August 29, 2022 a high-ranking employee at RCI, Jacqueline Heidt was charged with 22 felonies for having sex with an inmate, Travis D. Jones many times, and providing him with contraband.

Paid Advertisement
Convicted Murderer Lorenzo Guyton Paroled By Governor Evers (D)

On November 14, 1991, Lorenzo Guyton robbed and murdered James Mallett in the City of Milwaukee. He was convicted and went to prison. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers (D) let him free on September 24, 2021. He then allegedly robbed a Goodwill store at gun-point, located at 6055 North 91st Street in Milwaukee on February 19, 2022. On February 27, 2022 he allegedly robbed a Subway located at 1807 East locust Street in Milwaukee. The gun he used, a Hi-Point, .45 caliber pistol had the serial number obliterated according to the federal indictment. He was charged by Milwaukee DA John Chisholm. Chisholm’s office dropped the charges after the federal government indicted him. His parole was revoked and he was sent back to prison. He allegedly tried to escape on October 30, 2022. He made it over one fence, and when he touched the second fence, he got electrocuted and rendered himself unconscious. According to a source, staff ignored an alarm and it took a great deal of time before his escape attempt was noticed. He was charged with attempted escape.

Corrections Program Supervisor Michelle Bones

On or around December 20, 2022 another high-ranking employee of RCI, Michelle Bones, was placed on administrative leave after allegedly being accused of having a sexual relationship with an inmate. Wisconsin DOC confirmed she was placed on leave but wouldn’t comment further.

Warden Jason Wells

RCI is ran by Warden Jason Wells. Over all of theses incidents, we have reached out to him. He never answered any of our questions, but instead asked us to not contact him anymore. We reached out to him today because that is our right. It is also his right to ignore this bad behavior at his prison. We also reached out to the DOC Secretary’s office about Warden Wells’ track records and they too declined comment.

Racine Correctional Institution
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Author

Copied!
LATEST NEWS

Civil Suit Against Fired Groomer KUSD Teacher Moved To Federal Court, More Defendants Added

Kenosha, Wis. – Former KTEC West science teacher Christian Enwright is facing a civil lawsuit and criminal charges after allegedly grooming a 13-year-old student, later 14, over an eight-month period from June 2023 to February 2024. The lawsuit, filed on May 20, 2024, in Kenosha County Circuit Court, accuses Enwright of manipulating and emotionally abusing the student to establish a future sexual relationship. The Kenosha Unified School District (KUSD), which originally faced the lawsuit in state

Read More »

Here Are The Government Employees Who Work In Kenosha County And How Much They Make

In the spirit of transparency, Kenosha County Eye requested salary information from the following government agencies in late 2024: Kenosha Unified School District (KUSD)City of KenoshaCounty of Kenosha Kenosha County District Attorney’s OfficeWisconsin State Public Defender’s Office Village of Paddock LakeVillage of Pleasant PrairieVillage of Twin LakesVillage of Salem LakesVillage of Somers Town of RandallTown of Wheatland Westosha Central High SchoolTrevor-Wilmot School DistrictTwin Lakes School DistrictWilmot Union High SchoolRiverview Salem Silver Lakes Silver Lakes School DistrictUW

Read More »
MORE TOP STORIES

KUSD’s Choral Fest Marred By Referendum Advocacy From Guest Conductor

Kenosha, Wis.– The 58th Annual Choral Festival, a cherished event that showcases the talent of Kenosha’s youth choirs, was overshadowed tonight by a controversial political speech that left many attendees feeling uncomfortable and disappointed. The evening, which was meant to celebrate the hard work and musical accomplishments of local students, took an unexpected turn when Ms. Lynn Swanson, the director of the New South Festival Singers and the Cobb Summer Singers from suburban Atlanta, Georgia, took

Read More »

75-Year-Old Bar Owner Sentenced to Four Years for Fatal Hit-and-Run in Kenosha

Kenosha, Wis. – A 75-year-old man was sentenced on Thursday to four years in prison for a fatal hit-and-run that claimed the life of a pedestrian in Kenosha in 2023. William E. Koprovic pleaded guilty to Hit and Run Involving Death, a charge stemming from the June 25, 2023, incident in which he struck and killed 42-year-old Scott Mingilino. He owns Rendezvous Tiki Bar in Kenosha. Kenosha County Judge Anthony Milisauskas handed down the sentence after reviewing

Read More »

Runnin’ With the Devil: KCE Q&A With Attorney and Author Michael Cicchini

What’s the definition of an IMPARTIAL JUROR in a criminal case?  You might think it’s a juror who has no financial ties or loyalties to either the defendant or to the prosecutor’s office.  But you’d be wrong!  So says local defense attorney and author Michael Cicchini in his newest law review article, The Devil’s Dictionary of Criminal Procedure.   KCE asked him about the article, how he came up with that title, and what his definition is

Read More »

Menominee Tribe Responds to KCE’s Report On Casino Concerns Amid Community Skepticism

Kenosha residents and local officials are raising serious concerns over the proposed Menominee Hard Rock Hotel & Casino project, as promises made by the tribe remain unfulfilled and new doubts emerge about the viability of the venture. After years of assurances that federal approval was imminent, the Menominee Tribe has yet to deliver, leaving many in the community questioning whether this casino will ever materialize—or if it should at all. A History of Missed Deadlines and

Read More »

KUSD Cuts Law Enforcement Access to Student Database, Citing Privacy Law

Kenosha, Wis. – The Kenosha Unified School District (KUSD) has reportedly restricted law enforcement access to a critical student database, raising concerns about school safety and investigative efforts. The database, known as Infinite Campus, is widely used by KUSD parents and staff to manage student records. Local law enforcement has historically relied on the system for various investigations, from issuing truancy citations to gathering intelligence on school threats, including potential shootings and other emergencies. A reliable

Read More »

Kenosha County Eye to Intensify Focus on Judiciary

Kenosha, Wis. – Kenosha County Eye (KCE) is sharpening its investigative focus on the Kenosha judiciary, a move prompted by growing concerns over judicial accountability and transparency. KCE has, at times, been critical of the Kenosha County Circuit Court judges, who, in a unique rotation system, oversee all areas of law. Currently, Judges Anthony Milisauskas, Angelina Gabriele, Jason Rossell, and Gerad Dougvillo handle criminal cases, while Judges Jodi Meier, Chad Kerkman, David Wilk, and Heather Iverson preside

Read More »

Governor Tony Evers Denies Pardon For Kenosha County Serial Arsonist

Silver Lake, Wis. – Governor Tony Evers (D) has denied the pardon application of 48-year-old Allen M. Dunski, Jr., a former firefighter and convicted serial arsonist from Kenosha County’s west side. The rejection, issued on November 15, 2024, came despite Dunski’s claims of rehabilitation and community service. A letter sent to Dunski by the Governor’s Pardon Advisory Board stated: “While the Governor’s Pardon Advisory Board commends you for the positive strides you have taken since completing

Read More »

Kenosha Man Charged with Repeated Sexual Assault of a Child, Held on $1M Bail

Kenosha, Wis. – A 43-year-old Kenosha man was formally charged today with Repeated Sexual Assault of a Child in Kenosha County Circuit Court. If convicted, Jesus Alcocer-Bautista faces a maximum sentence of 60 years in prison. During his court appearance, Kenosha County District Attorney Xavier Solis requested a $1,000,000 cash bail, citing the severity of the allegations and the need to protect the community. Kenosha County Circuit Court Commissioner William Michel II granted the request and

Read More »

10-Year-Old Girl Still Too Terrified To Return To School After Sexual Assault on Bus

**Explicit Content** Kenosha, Wis. — A 10-year-old girl from Nash Elementary School remains too afraid to return to school months after she was allegedly sexually assaulted by two male students on her bus ride home. Despite criminal charges, Title IX investigations, and pleas from the child’s mother, the Kenosha Unified School District (KUSD) has yet to remove one of the accused students from the school, leaving the victim in limbo. KCE first reported on this matter

Read More »

Two Twin Lakes Men Arrested On Child Pornography Charges

Twin Lakes, Wis. – Two Twin Lakes men have been arrested and charged with multiple counts of possession of child pornography following separate investigations by the Twin Lakes Police Department (TLPD) and the Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. Arrests and Charges Nathan H. Bollow, 20, and Micah D. Griffiths, 20, were taken into custody in January 2025 after search warrants were executed at their respective residences. Bollow was

Read More »
Categories
Archives
Authors

21 Responses

  1. As much as I despise Governor Evers, I don’t see what he has to do with the story other than being brought up several times and having his picture put in it.

    1. He has everything to do with all of the misconduct at RCI. He is the chief executive of the state of Wisconsin and the Department of corrections. He decides who gets to be Warden and who doesn’t get to be Warden he decides who gets paroled and who does not get paroled. The buck stops with him

      1. The rank and file staff are doing their best to keep a sinking ship afloat. The blame must go to upper management. The Deputy Warden Melman is the only upper management at the prison on a consistent basis. The other 2 should sit on a bar stool and make decisions. Oh wait maybe they do…

      2. Tony Evers is not the chief executive of the DOC. Secretary Kevin Carr is. Tony Evers does not appoint our Wardens, Secretary Carr does. Tony Evers does not decide who gets paroled, the Wisconsin Parole Commission does. You can say the buck stops with Evers, but you do not get to claim that he is directly involved with either of the two mentioned duties because that is completely false.

      3. Governor Evers doesn’t pick the Wardens, DOC Secretary Karr does. The Governor selects his Secretaries, and they administer their Department.

    2. Did you not read the article?

      Evers let a murderer out of prison, not to mention the jackass has done nothing with those running the prison, where 2 of his staff have had sexual relations with prisoners and one of them also providing contraband to the prisoner.

      How do you not see anything wrong with this?

  2. I’ve never seen such incompetent leadership. Warden not so Wells and his Girl McPutin are certainly 2 stooges who no doubt should be removed from their positions immediately. Instead it was a blueshirt who was for the Heidt dirty deed.

  3. And don’t forget the clown with the spray on tan called Bacon. And oh yeah the sleeping Supervisor Jones. The list goes on and on of classless puppets.

    1. It is interesting that you called out a few supervisors and the “classless puppets”. I assume you work there and have had disagreements with these folks about one thing or another. Or simply “heard” something from someone. Did you have the courage to go to any of these people with your concerns? Or did you just sit on your post and gossip?

      What excludes you from “classless puppets” category… what contributions have you made that make RCI a better place to work? What have you done to improve the work for your peers? What have you done that makes you an expert on the management of prisons or prison personnel? I wonder what category you see yourself in?

      You attack with name calling and no examples. Sad since it appears you had something to say but ended up saying nothing at all.

  4. This reporting feels a little lazy to me. Your headline details a current investigation that is under way surrounding the death of an incarcerated person. And yet, there is little you can report on that because it is under review so you “throw in” other incidents that are not even remotely connected. Maybe you should have waited until the investigation is concluded before making this your headline. Who knows, maybe there was some staff misconduct, failure by leadership, or they find that nothing was done incorrectly and that the death, while tragic, was no one’s fault. But don’t you think you owe it to your readers and those involved to at least wait until you know what actually happened???

    If you want to report about what you feel is a lack of leadership or failure to lead at RCI, maybe you could have written a separate article about that and included your snippets on incidents that have happened to support your thesis. You could reach out to current and former RCI staff and get their opinions. Would that not make for a better article? Is that not what professional, investigative reporters do?

    Even if you disagree with the findings of the investigations or you think someone is covering for someone, you could look into incidents yourself via public record request and then write your story.

    This article seems more like a “hit piece” than actual reporting for the sake of sharing news/information. Do better.

    1. It sounds like the Kenosha News is a better fit for you. They believe what they are told with little exception. There is one journalist there, Daniel Gaitan who investigates, but as a whole they don’t. I do. If yo want fluff pieces, you won’t find them here. Good luck

      1. I don’t need fluff, just some facts to back up your story. I am all for transparency and holding folks accountable when and where it is warranted. Based on the headline of your article, I thought it was going to be about the investigation into the death of an incarcerated person, but it turned out to be several “mini articles” without many facts.

        I look forward to seeing future articles, with updated information, about this from you as your investigation unfolds. Have a great day.

Add a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Categories
Archives
Authors

Subscribe to updates

Get notified of new articles. We'll never share your email address.