Disturbing Allegations Come To Light With Indian Trail High School Employee On Leave For Misconduct

Copied!
Michael Russell, IT Specialist Indian Trail School and Academy
(Facebook) (Background Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Some disturbing allegations have been brought to light by court records involving an IT specialist who is currently on leave from his job at Indian Trail Academy in Kenosha. Michael Russell was placed on administrative leave from Kenosha Unified School District 108 days ago on February 27, 2023. According to a district spokesman, this leave was due to misconduct allegations. A KUSD insider said that the allegations were related to sexual harassment or touching, but KCE cannot confirm this because KUSD Superintendent Jeff Weiss doesn’t want students, staff, or the parents of the students to know the truth.

Paid Advertisement
Tamarra Coleman, Executive Director Shalom Center
Former KUSD School Board President

KCE has learned recently that Russell is a prominent member at Mt. Sinai Baptist Church in North Chicago. Tamara Coleman, the current Executive Director at the Shalom Center and previous KUSD Board President, is also a member of the congregation per our source, who is close to the church. Coleman’s husband, Reverend Michael Coleman, is the assistant pastor of the church. Our source tells us that Coleman helped Russell obtain this position at KUSD. Our source also told us that Tamarra Coleman, and her husband Michael Coleman, were aware of serious allegations of sexual assault at their church. We reached out to Coleman and asked her if she knew this man, was aware of these allegations, and if she helped him get his job. She told us that she was unaware of the allegations, that she couldn’t help anyone get a job at KUSD, but ignored the question about if she knows Russell. We asked a few more times. She refused to answer. Coleman claimed that in her position as a school board member, and later, as its president, she can’t help people get jobs at KUSD is disingenuous at best. We finally confronted Coleman with what we knew and finally admitted she knew Russell, but said “Unfortunately me knowing a person from the community does not mean I know their personal business.” Our source then told us that not only does she know Russell, but Russell is married to Coleman’s sister. We took to Facebook and seemed to confirm this allegation. Coleman stopped communicating with us and lawyered up.

Tamarra Coleman, and Her Brother-In-Law Michael Russell

KCE’s source also told us that there was a pending civil case in Lake County, Illinois. We obtained the complaint in the docket. A young woman filed suit against Mt. Sinai Baptist Church and Michael Russell on May 14, 2021, more than two years ago. The woman, alleges in the suit that Michael Russell groomed and sexually assaulted her at the church, starting in 8th grade (2009) and lasting until 2013, one year after he was hired by KUSD. According to the complaint, the two had sexual intercourse during this time frame. The complaint further alleges that “the sexual nature of the relationship between [Russell] and the minor plaintiff became widely known in and around the Church. [The Church] did nothing to protect the minor plaintiff from the continuing and repeated sexual abuse at the hands of the defendant, Michael Russell.” The suit claims that Russell was employed by the church and the church failed to properly supervise Russell and left him alone with children. The complaint also mentions other juveniles that made similar allegations against Russell, but were ignored by the church. Our source also told use that Russell was fired from his previous job at Abbott Laboratories for sexual harassment. We are unable to verify this allegation. Mt. Sinai ignored our request for comment.

Paid Advertisement
KUSD Superintendent Jeff Weiss (D)
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

We have repeatedly asked KUSD Superintendent Jeff Weiss (D) why he ignores allegations of sexual assault/harassment, but he ignores our requests for comment.

A Kenosha Police spokesman has told KCE that Weiss has not asked for a law enforcement investigation involving Russell. KCE is told that the Lake County, IL sexual assault civil case is headed to trial.

Paid Advertisement

Our source had the following to say and we decided to publish his/her quote:

The story of Michael Russell is a cautionary tale for all of us. It reminds us that we must always be vigilant and take action when we suspect that someone may be a danger to others. We must also be prepared to hold those in positions of power accountable for their actions, no matter how difficult it may be. In the end, it is the safety and well-being of our communities that must come first.”

Paid Advertisement

Other KUSD Employee Updates

Indian Trail and Academy Teacher Melvin Tart (39) of Gurnee, IL

Melvin Tart, who is accused of texting sexual content to an underage student is still employed by KUSD, but is on an “approved leave,” per a district spokesperson.

Paid Advertisement
School Counselor Joseph Pitts, Jr (40) of Sturtevant
(LakeView Facebook Page)

Joseph Pitts, Jr, a Counselor at LakeView High School, who was accused of repeatedly texting a student and later having a sexual relationship with her after she graduated is no longer employed by the district.

Author

Copied!
LATEST NEWS

Peter Barca Can’t Be Trusted, Especially With Illegal Immigration: Opinion

Kenosha County Eye agrees with Kenosha County Sheriff David W. Zoerner – Peter Barca can’t be trusted. In 2016, Peter Barca (D) voted against a bill that would have banned so-called “sanctuary cities.” Here was the roll-call vote that occurred on Tuesday, February 16, 2016. Even though just eight short years ago, he was a big supporter of “sanctuary cities,” he has now flip-flopped and says he no long supports them. Why the flip-flop Peter? We

Read More »

Kenosha Sheriff’s Department Solves 35-Year-Old Baby Homicide Cold Case: Prosecution Denied

After nearly 35 years and hundreds of hours of police work, the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department has closed the 1989 homicide of Baby John Doe. Frustrating for law enforcement, however, the woman who they believe murdered the baby won’t face any charges. On Thursday, November 9, 1989, a couple of trappers made a grizzly discovery under the Highway N (38th St) bridge over the Des Plaines River in Paris. It was a very cold fall day

Read More »
MORE TOP STORIES

Journey Church Pastor Accused Of Capturing Intimate Photos: Holding On $7,500 Bail

The Kenosha Police Department is investigating Gabriel Mills, a 41-year-old Kenosha resident and pastor of Journey Church in Kenosha, for allegedly transferring intimate photographs without permission from the victim’s phone to his own. Gabriel reportedly borrowed the victim’s phone and proceeded to search through phone until finding intimate photos of the victim. He then sent the photos to his phone without consent. Gabriel was arrested by the Kenosha Police Department on September 30, 2024. Today, October

Read More »

Kenosha Board Member Calls For Vote To Discourage The Relocation of Refugees or Immigrants Without Proper Planning

One of the top issues for voters in the November 5, 2024, presidential election is immigration. Typically, it ranks as issue #2 after the economy. First-term Kenosha County Board Supervisor Keith Gray is listening to residents of his district and has proposed “A Resolution to Discourage the Resettlement of Migrants in Kenosha County”. The text of the resolution reads: WHEREAS, the immigration crisis in the United States, which involves a large influx of refugees and immigrants

Read More »

Women And Children’s Horizons Executive Director Resigns Week After Shelter Re-Opens

A week after Women and Children’s Horizons re-opened and after being closed for almost two months due to “staffing shortages,” its executive director has resigned. Yvonne MacDonald-Hames was on the job for less than three months and refused to talk to KCE today. The board president, Sandy Riese, did call KCE to answer our questions. “Our shelter is back open and the board has a plan to keep Women and Children’s Horizons a great resource to

Read More »

No Truth To Rumors Of Shuttered Schools Being Used To House Migrants: KUSD, City of Kenosha

Since the fall of 2023, Kenosha County Eye has received countless tips via phone calls, text messages, anonymous emails, and other methods, about rumors of migrants being housed in KUSD schools that are now closed.  In January of this year, we spoke with unified who assured us that there was no truth to these rumors.  A renewed round of speculation has been circulating the county with people asserting that the schools would be used to house

Read More »

Tremper English Teacher Suspended For 10 Days, Demoted, For Using “N” Word And “F” Word In Class

According to an English teacher’s personnel file, obtained by KCE, he used the “N” word in class and told a student “Fuck you.” Paul Mommaerts admitted to the actions, was suspended for 10 business days, and was demoted, costing him $10,000 annually. Mommaerts filed a grievance with the union, but lost. According to the Mommaert’s personnel file: Mommaerts admitted to his principal that he used a racial slur during his third period English Perspectives class. He

Read More »

Law&Crime To Premiere New Original Documentary, The Trials of Kyle Rittenhouse

Top legal and true crime network Law&Crime announces the premiere of its newest original documentary, The Trials of Kyle Rittenhouse, which will air on its network on Friday, Sept 27 at 7pm CST and be available on Law&Crime’s video-on-demand offerings.The 90-minute documentary, directed and produced by award-winning journalists Brian Ross and Rhonda Schwartz, sheds new light on the investigation into the events of that fateful evening in Kenosha August 2020 when Rittenhouse shot and killed two

Read More »

Kenosha Unified School District Seeks Community Input On Operational Needs Via Survey – Referendum Likely

The Kenosha Unified School District is asking all residents to participate in a referendum survey to evaluate the district’s operational needs, consider possible solutions, and contribute feedback as it plans for the future. Residents can take the anonymous survey online at kusdsurvey.com. It takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete and is available through Thursday, October 10. “While our schools are a big point of pride in our community, KUSD has financial needs stemming from the state’s inequitable

Read More »

KUSD Teacher, Who Is Also A Powerful Milwaukee County Democrat Politician, Disciplined By District

Kathleen Vincent (D) is a powerful Milwaukee-area politician. She is the president of the School Board in Greendale, and she is on the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors. Her full-time job, however, is a middle school english teacher. According to public records, she has a hard time juggling the three roles and has actually been disciplined several times by the Kenosha Unified School District for doing elected duties while working for KUSD as a teacher, among

Read More »

Grooming Case Against Fired Teacher Goes To Trial – Motion To Dismiss Denied

A 29-year-old fired KUSD teacher named Christian Enwright is headed to trial on 22 counts of Disorderly Conduct for allegedly grooming a 14-year-old student. Judge Gerad Dougvillo today, denied Enwright’s attorneys’ motion to dismiss after extensive briefing and short oral arguments. Enwright is now scheduled to go to trial on April 21, 2025. He faces over four years in jail, if convicted of all counts. Enwright’s attorneys brought up a recent bill signed into law that

Read More »

Congressman Bryan Steil Endorses Xavier Solis For Kenosha County District Attorney

A key endorsement has been announced in the Kenosha County DA’s race. Carli’s McNeill (D) is running against Xavier Solis (R) for Kenosha County District Attorney. “Xavier Solis stands with law enforcement and is committed to keeping Kenosha County safe,” said Congressman Brian Steil (R). “I believe everyone deserves to feel safe in their communities, and that’s why I’m supporting Xavier Solis for Kenosha County District Attorney.” “I want to sincerely thank Congressman Steil for his

Read More »
Categories
Archives
Authors

59 Responses

  1. Wow! These are serious allegations. One would think that all of these accused school employees/child molesters are “drag queens.” But they are not, at least this article does not identify them as such,

    I am confused. Tell me again, why are we supposed to fear “drag queens”?

    14
    24
        1. Gotta be Joel Paul…..his typical answer to being ask why drag queens want to perform around kids is to bring up the church. He is the King of Deflection!

          4
          3
  2. Lots of KUSD administrators that have crossed paths with Russell over the years must be squirming right now. All of them just hoping they do not get asked about their suspicions of Russell or lack of follow through when “issues” came up involving him. Lots of “overlooking” has occurred because of this relationship with Coleman. Terrible how a board member can have that much influence over highly educated administrators. (Thank God there is not a single board member today that has that same extreme power!! Oh wait….) Time to play the “I didn’t know game.”

    31
    1
  3. The reverend Coleman and his grifter wife. So surprised…. Not! Black lives matter … Nope!

    18
    13
        1. To the best of my knowledge, there have been zero NRA members involved with any of the multiple Juneteenth mass shootings so far.

          Perhaps there’s another commonality.

    1. Im sorry this has NOTHING to do with race…you need to stop being so ignorant and focus on the bigger issue!

  4. Just like drag queens,these guys are freaks and perverts. We don’t need them around our kids.

    21
    4
    1. Mr. Fudgepacker: could you please provide just one instance of a “drag queen” molesting children. There are thousands of instances where molestation occurs at the hands of clergy. There must be even more cases involving drag queens since drag queens are so dangerous. Maybe you can help us all out and cite a drag queen case.

      10
      18
      1. Here come all the liberal pedophile supporting groomers to start defending this shit. Why do mentally ill men dressed like women want to read books to little kids anyway? The same reason these perverts are roaming around public schools preying on the young and vulnerable. Shame on KUSD!!!!

        35
        4
        1. I have been looking for cases in which “drag queens” have molested children. I am finding countless cases involving ministers and clergy. Maybe if all of us search, we can find a case involving a drag queen. They are dangerous, right?

          7
          19
      2. If you check the criminal history of these drag “Queens” you will notice a lengthy history of sexual predatory behavior. there is a huge percentage of these groomers who harm children-and this is why they want to read books to kids and act like perverts

        23
        1
        1. These sick in the head liberals are constantly trying to normalize every type of f**ked up behavior including pedophilia.

  5. Who is Tamara Coleman kidding? She knows darn well that she hired her brother-in-law into KUSD because no one else would hire him!!

    It’s time for people to wake up and realize that these old timers in the KUSD Board need to go!!! Time to clean house!! Starting with Weiss!!! How is it that Melvin Tart is still employed???

    44
    1. Tamara is showing nepotism at its finest! Her daughter and brother-in-law both work for the district! It’s a shame!! KUSD DO BETTER!!!

      13
    2. I’ve been knowing this family for years and was a member of mt Sinai for 20+years Michael russel has been a perv n the pastor knows it

      11
    1. She’s an habitual liar never believe her . That whole family is sick including the Pastor, his wife and their off springs. Maybe they should be voted out the church they are a danger to children.

  6. It certainly seems like Indian Trail likes hiring sexual predators at their school. If I were a parent of one of these students, I would pull them out immediately since the school does not care for the children in their charge. This is criminal negligence, in my opinion. The superintendent should be fired and all three of the predatory employees of Indian Trail should be fired, tried and imprisoned.

    33
    1
  7. Why is the case in Lake County a civil case and not criminal if this is or was sex with a juvenile in 2021?

    11
    1
    1. Because Russll Michael Russell was friends with the police officers and his brother works for Lake County Sheriff Department and and they dragged their feet in the case that’s why it is still lingering and not a criminal case in a long time members of the church did not know until it broke in 2021 about all these allegations and yes he is the son-in-law to the the pastor’s oldest daughter!!!

      14
    2. Did anyone reach out to the young women who made the allegations? I would be curious to know why she proceeded with a civil case instead of criminal. Michael should be in jail.

      10
      1
    3. Check Lake County records – there’s been a criminal case opened against him since before the pandemic…

  8. This school is out of control with things happening to students under their “care”. I do not remember the year, but several kids who went to that school committed suicide all in one year. Makes me wonder why its still open after that. There needs to be some really heavy investigation on everyone in that school!
    Just Homeschool. My goodness! The parents Homeschooled for over a year and they found out what the kids are REALLY learning ( or NOT in most cases). So many parents found out through the crazy plandemic how little their kids knew when they had to be the ones to overlook their education during that time.

    7
    3
  9. I understand the gravity of sexual allegations and the trauma it can inflict on the victims. My heart goes out to all the survivors who have come forward with their stories. It takes immense courage to speak up against their abusers, especially when the abuser is someone with connections and power. The fact that this person has been able to move through the community undetected for so long is deeply disturbing and raises questions about the people who have been covering up for him. It is unacceptable that anyone would protect a monster who has been hurting innocent children and cheating on his wife. The in-laws and anyone else who has been enabling him should be held accountable for their actions. We need to create a society where survivors can feel safe and confident enough to come forward without fear of retaliation or being silenced.

    12
    1
  10. Someone should look into t Coleman’s employment history as there are rumors that she was cheating on time cards or something when she worked in Illinois and was let go.

  11. We will no longer be donating to or volunteering at the Shalom Center. Just put the kibosh on that. If the donations go to pay this person……?

    8
    1
  12. The Shalom Center is for a great cause. If you choose not to donate make sure it’s a real reason not too and not a made up one because you really don’t believe in helping others in need.

    1
    1
  13. I bet most of you Trolls voted for Trump. America elected a man accused of sexual assault by multiple women. Did anyone attack his wife or family members? No. This is all on the one individual. I choose to leave it on the one in question and him alone.

    2
    4
  14. Lets blame Trump again. Its his fault because the Pedo got caught after years of abusing young girls with help of Over Funded “WOKE” Kenosha Unified , Good Old Crime Fueled Family Members with Passing Their Good Lord Satan Word Church into 2 States now. They ran out of kids there now they put him in WI. Rest assured he will get off. He is of the protected class. Bidens sick ass Family is importing hookers left and right get off CNN Not to mention he cant quit sniffing little girls hair

  15. You people are all sheep herded by the left and the right properganda. Neither side is “woke”. This is a story of someone accused of being a sexual predator. This put the sister-in-law in an uncomfortable position. After all this back and forth and mud slinging this has nothing to do with all this rabbit hole shit you sheep are injected into the story. It’s about a man accused of taking advantage of under age girls. I’m sure if any of your family members were accused you would probably have some missteps along the way regarding this as well.
    Bahhhhh bahhhh – bye bahhhhhh ?

    1
    2
  16. All these fucking chomos need to be done right out in the streets where they commit these crimes, Sick Fuckers.

  17. This is so sad that our kids can’t be safe in school or churches who is micheal Russell wife of 25 years and she had no idea her husband was a freak sad so sad

  18. This is so sad that our kids can’t be safe in school or churches who is micheal Russell wife of 25 years and she had no idea her husband was a freak sad

Add a Comment

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

LATEST NEWS
LATEST NEWS
Categories
Archives
Authors

Subscribe to updates

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