Two inmates at the Kenosha County Jail are each facing almost 14 years in prison for the jailhouse beating of fellow inmate Trenton Kmiec.

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Andre Salcedo and Michael Lewis, both 23 years old and of Kenosha were charged for a beating that allegedly happened on May 14, 2023.

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According to the criminal complaint:

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On May 14, 2023 at 10:41PM a Kenosha County deputy responded to the Kenosha County Jail, 1000 55th Street, for an jail fight between inmates. The deputy reported he responded and learned the victim was Inmate Trenton Kmiec, and the two suspects were Inmates Michael D. Lewis and Andre L. Salcedo.

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The deputy accompanied Kmiec to Aurora Hospital. Kmiec told hospital staff that he was “jumped” by other inmates after Kmiec had made a request to be moved. Kmiec stated that they thought he had snitched and therefore jumped him. Kmiec indicated that he was struck with fists. Kmiec had a 3-4 inch lump near his left eye socket and a 2-3 inch laceration to his right palm that required 5 stiches to close.

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The attack was captured on security video. The video showed that at about 10:33PM Kmiec was standing inside his cell when the other two begin speaking to him. Lewis struck Kmiec in the face with a closed fist, and then Salcedo stepped forward and attempts to strike Kmiec but missed because Kmiec retreated further into his cell. Lewis then rushed into the cell and struck Kmiec multiple times with closed fists, and a short time later Salcedo then rushed into the cell and also struck Kmiec with closed fists. Both then physically attacked and punched Kmiec for about 38 seconds before exiting the cell. Kmiec is observed holding his head and looking at his right hand which began to bleed. The deputy reported that he attempted to speak to both Defendants but neither wished to speak to the deputy or provide any statement.

Kmiec is facing five felony cases in three counties. Kmiec was charged in court earlier this year on May 3, 2023. The charges include felony child abuse – recklessly causing bodily harm, six counts of felony bail jumping, and intimidation of a victim. According to the criminal complaint, Kmiec’s high-school aged girlfriend called the Sheriff’s Department just before midnight on May 1, 2023. She was upset and crying when a deputy arrived. She asked the deputy to drive her down the road so she wasn’t talking in front of the house. She then told him that she and her boyfriend, Trenton Kmiec, had a fight. She said that Kmiec threw her very hard and her head hit something. She had a visible “goose egg” on the right side of her head near her temple. She then tried to call 9-1-1, but Kmiec took the phone away from her, hung it up and said “you’re not doing that.” She then begged for her phone back, but Kmiec called her a “whore” and told her to lay down and sleep or walk home. He then said he hoped she got abducted.

She then told deputies that Kmiec has a “team of lawyers.” She was probably talking about Kmiec’s father, Ted Kmiec who is a former politician, and his law partner Kevin Noonan. Both men have represented the younger Kmiec several times.

The Kenosha County Deputy must have questioned the potentially illegal relationship, as he asked about the age. Kmiec said he didn’t know that his girlfriend was underage. Kmiec also denied touching her and said he didn’t know how she got the fresh “goose egg” on her head.

Ted Kmiec posted Trenton’s $5,000 bond 13 days after bond was set, using a credit card. Ted is a criminal defense lawyer and knows well that Trenton was ordered to stay away from his 17-year-old girlfriend and have no contact with her. He was also ordered to not commit new crimes. Ted also knows it is illegal for a 23 year old to have a sexual relationship with a 17-year old child.

According to the latest criminal complaint, late in the evening on May 26, 2023, deputies responded to Ted and Trenton Kmiec’s residence in Salem. The caller was one of the girl’s friends who heard her and Trenton arguing loudly which he was on the phone with her. He heard her say “ow.” This friend called police and summoned them to the Kmiec residence. The Sheriff’s Deputies are very familiar with this home. Deputies investigated the death of Kmiec’s mistress recently. She died on Ted’s bed. Deputies knocked on the door and Trenton answered the door. He denied that his 17-year old girlfriend was there and denied ever having contact with her. Ted also came to the door and claimed he didn’t know if she was there either and didn’t hear the loud arguing. The girl later exited the home to talk to deputies, and Ted apologized and stated that he was not aware of her presence in the home. Deputies arrested Trenton for obstructing, since he lied to police. Deputies decided against arresting Ted Kmiec. We asked Ted why he would knowingly allow his son to violate conditions of his bond. He didn’t respond to KCE’s request for comment.

Trenton Kmiec has seemingly received the white-glove treatment from judges, court commissioners and prosecutors for the last several years. This is Kmiec’s fourth open and active felony file. In total, he faces a maximum of 70 years in the Wisconsin Prison System.

First OWI
Kmiec was driving while intoxicated on June 26, 2017. He was later convicted.

Kenosha County Drug Possession
In 2017, Kmiec was involved in a crime involving drugs. He was arrested. DA Graveley (D) sent this case to Racine County to be “fixed” and progressive Racine County DA Patricia Hanson did not charge Kmiec, but allowed him to participate in a drug program.

Fond du Lac County Armed Pursuit
On November 24, 2021, police and prosecutors say that Kmiec lead multiple police officers and agencies on a 25 minute long, 22 mile police chase while armed and under the influence of drugs. Kmiec refused to pull over for police and drove erratically at speeds up to 85 miles per hour. He endangered many people’s lives by swerving all over the road and narrowly missing innocent bystanders. At one point he swerved around stop sticks, was rammed by police, did a 360 degree spin, but continued to evade. Eventually, Kmiec flipped the car and crashed in a ditch. Police found a Glock 19 in his possession with an extended 30-round magazine in the car. A drug recognition expert determined that Kmiec was under the influence of stimulants. There were also empty bottles of Cyclobenzaprine and Tramadol in his upside down car. Kmiec also had two Buprenorphine narcotic patches on his body. Kmiec also had a powdery substance on his nostril. Kmiec was charged with (1) Second Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety, Use of a Dangerous Weapon, (2) Fleeing and Eluding – Causing Damage to Property, Use of a Dangerous Weapon, (3) Felony Criminal Damage to Property, Use of a Dangerous Weapon, (4) Possession of a Firearm While Intoxicated, and (5) OWI (2nd). One of the victims told police that Kmiec caused $8,000 in damage to his property. Believe it or not, Governor Evers (D) appointee, Judge Tricia Walker, gave Kmiec a no-cash bond. He was released without having to pay a cent. He is awaiting trial for this case.

Kenosha County Drug Possession

On September 2, 2022, police and prosecutors say that Kmiec was pulled over and had schedule 2 narcotics in his vehicle. Kmiec tried to throw the drugs out of his car, but the astute Deputy Tifft reviewed his squad footage and saw Kmiec throw the bag. DA Graveley sent this case to Racine County and DA Patricia Hanson’s office is handling it. Even with the serious felony file pending, Kenosha County Court Commissioner Larry Keating gave Kmiec a no-cash bail and Kmiec was released without having to pay a cent. Keating is usually reasonable with bond decisions according to local defense attorneys. Kmiec is awaiting trial on this case.

Winnebago County Drug Trafficking Arrest

Police and prosecutors say that on February 19, 2023, Kmiec was located in a bar by police, which was against his bond conditions. On his person, they found 13 plastic baggies, each contained fentanyl. Police obtained a search warrant for his home. When they arrived, they were met by Kmiec’s high-school aged girlfriend mentioned earlier. They found cutting agents and other drug manufacturing items in his bedroom. His minor girlfriend said that she didn’t know he sold drugs, but was “suspicious” of him. She thought he was selling vitamins to people posing as cocaine. Winnebago County prosecutors charged Kmiec with (1) Possession – Intent to Deliver, (2) Maintaining a Drug-Trafficking Place, and (3) Felony Bail Jumping. They could have charged him with multiple counts of bail-jumping, but did not. Believe it or not, a liberal court Commissioner named Eric Heywood gave Kmiec a no-cash bail and he was released without paying a cent. He is awaiting trial for this case.

DA Graveley handed this case off to one of his “fixer,” Racine County DA Patricia Hanson and she sent a prosecutor today to court in Kenosha.

In court earlier this year, Racine County Assistant District Attorney Christopher Steenrod said that Kmiec can’t be trusted to come to court. He asked for a $10,000 cash bail. “Mr. Kmiec has shown a complete, blatant disregard for conditions of bond throughout multiple counties in the state of Wisconsin and I think a significant cash bond is warranted.”

Criminal Defense Attorney Zachary Caley argued for a no-cash bond or low cash bond, saying that his client had a bulging disk [in his spine] and needs treatment.

Kenosha County Circuit Court Commissioner Larry Keating set Kmiec’s bond at $15,000 saying “It does appear to this court the Mr. Kmiec has a disregard with respect to theses allegations and court orders. The court is concerned with respect to Mr. Kmiec following orders of court.” He then told Trenton again, to stay away from his high-school girlfriend.

This isn’t the first time the Kmiec family has been in the criminal court system. On April 25, 2020, Ted Kmiec and his wife Connie got into an altercation. According to the two-count criminal complaint, Connie grabbed Ted by the arm and dug her nails into him until he started to bleed. Graveley sent this case to Racine to be “fixed.” Hanson dismissed all charges.

We reached out to both Racine DA Hanson and Kenosha DA Graveley recently. We are thankful they responded.

Graveley had the following to say:

“Cases have been referred to Racine when we felt that best removed any potential conflict.  No case has ever been referred to Racine or any other county with a request as to any outcome.  Just as when we accept appointments from other counties, I expect any county which accepts our cases to make a completely independent assessment of appropriate actions and outcomes.”

We asked Graveley why he recuses himself on all the Kmiec family cases and he said “We feel there is a potential conflict and appearance of conflict because we have cases together on an almost daily basis as well as some social interactions,”

Hanson had the following to say:

“I can only comment on past cases that are closed, we have a pending case for Trenton Kenosha 22CF1368 where my office is a special prosecutor. I don’t see any case that have “gone away”.

In 2017, Trenton was referred to a drug diversion program while my office was a special prosecutor. He was eligible for a Kenosha County Program that existed at that time. He met the conditions of the diversion and charges were not issued.

In 2020, my office was the special prosecutor for Trenton again on traffic and ordinance citations. A plea agreement was reached and he plead to one of four charges.  Not an uncommon outcome.

As for Connie, she participated in a first time offender diversion program in 2020 and successfully completed her diversion so charges were dismissed. This was done in consultation with the victim, Ted Kmiec, pursuant to Marsy’s Law.

I asked Hanson why Kmiec wasn’t charged with any sex-related crimes due to the girl’s age. She said she won’t discuss that issue. Judge Tricia Walker of Fond du Lac County and Commissioner Eric Heywood of Winnebago county didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment on their choice of no-cash bails.

We published this article last year about some other notable cases in which Kenosha DA Mike Graveley recuses himself, not because of actual conflicts, but because of tough decision about charging. Whether or not the “fixing” is implicit or explicit isn’t clear, but the “fixing” is obvious.