State Dismisses Discrimination Complaint By KPD Officer Once Accused of Brutal Rape

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Kenosha Police Officer Pep Moretti
(Kenosha Police Department)

(Graphic Depictions of Sexual Assault Accusations)

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Today, the state of Wisconsin dismissed a complaint filed by a disgruntled Kenosha Police Officer. Officer Pep Moretti claimed that he was passed over for promotions several times because he is gay. Officer Pep Moretti, of Lindenhurst, IL, changed his name from Peter Percak in May of 2011. Moretti filed a complaint with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development on August 9, 2023. Today, the State of Wisconsin dismissed Moretti’s complaint.

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Investigators Explanation For Dismissal From the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development

In the complaint, Moretti alleged that the previous police chief, Eric Larsen, and the current police chief, Patrick Patton failed to promote him because he is gay. Moretti was hired by Kenosha Police in 2009. The City of Kenosha Police Department handles promotions in the following manner – They issue a written test and conduct interviews. The top five candidate are notified that they are in the top five. Moretti asserts that he was the top performer on the written test so he should have been promoted. The process, that is been in place for at least two decades, allows the chief to select anyone on the list of five to be promoted to Sergeant. Moretti wasn’t chosen, but he didn’t alleged any treatment in his complaint that related to him being a homosexual.

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Kenosha City Administrator and Former Police Chief John Morrissey
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

“I’ve read the complaint and it seems to be without merit,” said Kenosha City Administrator and Former Police Chief John Morrissey. Morrissey reiterated the promotion process to KCE saying that the police chief has the final say on who he or she recommends for promotion from the list of five. The recommendation then goes to the Police and Fire Commission for approval. Morrissey was pleased, but not surprised that the State of Wisconsin quickly dismissed this complaint. This complaint took five months, but complaint such as these usually takes up to a year to proceed to conclusion.

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Alleged Rape Committed By Moretti

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Upon learning of this complaint KCE did a background check on Moretti and obtained his KPD personnel file. KCE also obtained police reports from the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department.

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Moretti’s Version of Events

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On December 1, 2016, a 20-year-old named “Kyle” went to a hospital to be examined for an alleged rape. Kyle told hospital staff and police that the night before, a man he knew as “Demon Pep” came to his home, drugged him, and raped him anally. “Demon Pep” was identified by Kenosha County Sheriff’s Detectives as being 34-year-old Pep Moretti. Kyle also picked Moretti out in a photo lineup.

Kyle and Moretti both said that they had met near Pep’s home in Lindenhurst at around three o’clock in the morning while Kyle was skateboarding. Pep drove up in his Chevy Camaro and the two exchanged Snapchat accounts. Moretti told KPD Internal Affairs that he prefers snapchat because of its “anonymity.”

Kyle says that Moretti snapped him and said “Want to get drunk? I could use some ass.” Kyle agreed to let Moretti come to his house. Moretti brought with him to Kyle’s house in Twin Lakes, a six-flags cup with liquor in it. He told detectives that he always brought his own alcohol in case of date rape drugs. At one point Kyle drank from Moretti’s cup, even though Kyle was only 20. Moretti said that Kyle drank from it “without his permission.” Kyle contends that Moretti offered the drink to him willingly.

Moretti told detectives in a recorded interview, “[Kyle] came on to me, and I was like okay. I’m like that’s a little unusual and he’s like ‘sit on the bed get closer’ and I’m like. I’m like, you’re kind of like, weird like I don’t like I’m like kind of like whatever and then he did come on to me. And I was like okay and then um he’s like ‘oh I really want to perform oral sex on you’ and I was like okay. So that happened and then I’m like ‘it’s getting late like I got to get going’ and he’s like ‘oh stay of the night’ and I’m like ‘yeah I’m not staying I got to get going’ and then he walked me out to my car.”

Moretti didn’t tell detectives that he had anal sex with Kyle. He had to be prompted later in the interview. The detective asked “So, as far as having anal sex or anything you guys never did that – none of that ever happened or it did?”

“It did,” replied Moretti

“Oh, it did?” replied the detective.

“All right so that and it was totally consensual?” asked the detective.

Moretti then said “[Kyle] suggested it. I’m like yeah I’m like again I wasn’t like I don’t know just seemed like kind of weird like okay he went from ‘let’s hang out’ to all of a sudden like he really wanted to like do all this extra stuff okay and I was like I don’t know that wasn’t like my purpose for being there sure and then he kept saying something about oh you know I don’t use condoms I don’t need them blah blah blah and I’m just like that’s like I don’t know it was just it was weird.”

Moretti then told detectives that Moretti only performed anal sex on Kyle – it wasn’t reciprocal. Pep said that he had a long-term boyfriend but that the relationship was “open” and they were allowed to have sex with other men.

You can listen to the interview of Officer Moretti here:

Kyle’s Version of Events

Kyle says that when Moretti arrived to his house, Moretti offered him some of his drink that he brought to his house. Kyle said the Moretti was only taking “small sips” of the drink. Kyle said when he drank it, he almost immediately “blacked out.”

Kyle said that he regained consciousness briefly and was naked and face down on his bed. Kyle reached behind him and felt what he thought was Moretti’s penis entering his anus. He asked Moretti what was happening and Moretti said it was nothing. Kyle passed out again.

Kyle then woke up about 11:00 a.m. and he was still naked and his anus hurt and felt stretched out. He also said his room was trashed. He told a friend what happened and the friend told Kyle that he was raped. Kyle then went to the hospital. Kyle initially didn’t want to pursue charges because of the possible embarrassment. He then quickly changed his mind and wanted to pursue charges. He was adamant from the his first contact with law enforcement to his interviews with detectives that the sex was non-consensual. Kyle told police that Moretti told him he was a producer for the TV show “Chicago PD.”

Non-Prosecution

Walworth County DA Zeke Wiedenfeld (D)
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

The Kenosha District Attorney’s Office sent the criminal referral to the Walworth County’s DA’s Office due to a conflict. The Walworth County DA did not issue any charges for Moretti, letting him off scot free. KCE made contact with Walworth County DA Zeke Wiedenfeld (D) who declined to give a reason why his office let the cop off with no charges Zeke also ignored a public records request for documents related to the non-prosecution. The Walworth County DA has an unwritten policy generally against prosecuting cops.

Kenosha Police Internal Affairs Investigation

Former Kenosha Police Chief Daniel Miskinis
(Kenosha Police)

At the time of the internal investigation, the current chief was a Sergeant and had no dealings with this case. Unbelievably, the Internal Affairs Sergeant at the time, exonerated Moretti, writing “Upon review of the investigation and my interview with Officer Moretti, I do not believe that Officer Moretti violated Police Department Policy and Procedures…I counseled Officer Moretti during the interview on using better judgement when engaging in off duty activities. It is my belief that Officer Moretti was very receptive to the counseling he received and the choices that he makes in the future will be carefully considered.”

Then-Chief Miskinis later writes “As I concur with your findings that no Kenosha Police Department policies were violated, this investigation is closed with no action to be taken.”

KCE did not seek comment from Chief Patton. Patton was a Sergeant at the time of these allegations and had no participation in nor knowledge of the investigation. To put it plainly, it happened under an administration two chiefs ago. Through a response to the complaint, Patton denies making the decision based on Moretti’s sexual preference.

Being a homosexual seems to be the defining characteristic in Moretti’s life. KCE was hard-pressed to find a single social media post where Moretti doesn’t mention that he is “gay”, a “gay daddy”, “gay kid”, “gay teen”, or “day dude.” Moretti DJ’s for gay dance clubs as a side business, but only works sparingly these days.

Moretti now has the option to sue the City of Kenosha in State or Federal Court but it’s unlikely given that the state panel found no probable cause. Moretti, reached by KCE, declined comment both after he filed the complaint, and after learning of its dismissal.

(Pep Moretti aka Peter Percak has not been charged or convicted of any crimes alleged in this news article. He is legally presumed innocent.)

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54 Responses

  1. makes me want to vomit.
    Can you image being pulled over for a traffic ticket and having to deal with a sick, perverted ,psychopath like this ?
    Shame on KPD for not screening officers better.
    Makes me ashamed and disgusted with so many people in Kenosha.

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      1. Yes, always BACK THE BLUE no matter what they do. They are God’s agents on Earth.

        Romans 13:

        13 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

        2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

        3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

        4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

        5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

        6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

        7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

  2. Let’s think this through.

    First, we’ve had gay service members, firefighters, police officers, you name it for many years and most perform their duties admirably. Many were the victims of unfortunate discrimination in the past.

    This isn’t about the officer being gay. It’s about his conduct and fitness to be a police officer.

    Even if you give him the benefit of the doubt and presumption of innocence about criminal wrongdoing the poor choices and conduct he displayed certainly questions his fitness. With this record it’s understandable that he wasn’t promoted. What’s not understandable is why he was kept on the department.

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  3. Go back in the closet. I’m fresh out of inclusiveness and sick of diversity being rammed down my throat harder than sgt hards tonsils while streaming on jerkmate.

    Not in Kenosha that I know of but teachers at Racine Unified are being coerced into putting rainbow flags in their classrooms and the ones pushing it are being told to take notes on the facial expressions of teachers when they are asked to do so….targeted.

    Maybe Nedweski can look into this matter?

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    1. OMG, grow up. Your comments scream that you’re secretly gay, but don’t want anyone to know. Thou proteth too much.

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  4. I believe Kyle. I can only imagine the special kind of agony he’s felt knowing that someone tasked with protecting the public harmed him in such a personal way. I hope he is doing okay and is loved and supported wherever he is.





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  5. Gay bashing for readership?

    A new low Kevin.

    Your crowd of readers scared of rainbows and anyone different than them might be surprised to know that there are quite a few gays who are members of local departments. They just keep it somewhat quiet due to the White redneck hicks that can’t handle “different”.

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    1. IT ISNT GAY BASHING, YOU IGNORANT MORON!
      Its called rape and its very much looked down upon in ANY culture and very illegal.
      Of course a liberal looks at this abomination very differently, like it acceptable. Those are the true deplorables.

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      1. You’re only correct on the part of RAPE, but Kevin’s history of targeting LGBTQ+ people and recently back to back stories HIGHLIGHTING gay people is the bashing the person is likely refering to.

        Pep is ABSOLUTELY a horrible person and should have been removed from the police department YEARS ago when allegations of his sexual impropriety started. But make sure we back the blue no matter what…unless they’re queer.

        They say those that show the most homophobia tend to actually be hinding their own sexuality (look up the actual research-and its older so its not just a DEI thing, not just a bullshit headline…like yall like to use).

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    2. This cop is a narcissistic wierdo —- he should serve his own community down in Wrigleyville — you can’t rape the willing

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      1. So are you saying all homosexual people want to get fucked? That’s real cool to say they’re faggots just rape them, they like it…

  6. Only in the KPD , thank you God for our new chief, clean up the kpd , we need to stop the corruption in this dept, How was this not looked at and handle back when the rape was filed. If this was an everyday person are DA would have gone after them like you wouldn’t believe. Funny how are DA office picks and chooses. the fate of people and Victims,





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    1. Do you really think that this was not seen and looked at “back then” ???
      I’ll agree the DA made a poor decision but considering who the DA is, are you surprised ?

      Sometimes borderline personnel “issues” will resolve themselves over time. In this case he probably will seek employment elsewhere in the future. I’m sure Chicago will hire him and have him patrol in Boystown.

    2. Yep thank God for our new chief and his administration who all have never done any budgeting before. Wait till the tax bills come in for 2024. We all will be taking it up the ass.

    3. Don’t be so quick to praise the new KPD chief….he’s not as innocent as he comes off. There’s some scandal on his end too it just hasn’t been made public yet. I wouldn’t trust anyone on KPD or KFD.

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  7. Am surprised KUSD has not recruited Officer Moretti as a school resource officer.
    Am sure his services would be welcome by some KUSD staff.

  8. I read this writer’s stories all the time and laugh….the writer of this story is married. Unfortunately for him, I happen to know a woman he has made passes at while being married. One day his sins will find him out. Maybe then someone will post his private life online in an article?

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  9. So much for winning non-believers to Christ. Judging is for Christians to help Christians. God will judge the world and its ways.

  10. He left a lot out of the first tell of the story….. didn’t violate policy….how about if his actions are one that don’t line up with someone that should be a police officer

  11. I am disgusted. Sargent Hard and now Demon Pep. Trust me, I don’t want this MF patting down my son. Actually we shouldn’t have this kind of disgusting subhumans protecting and serving us. IA doesn’t check on his social media?. First amendment my ass.
    This used to be a great town.
    Thanks for your good work, Mr. KM.

  12. Back the blue glu love snot. What a pervert. I am not surprised he chose gov as an employer. he fits in well. You guys need to support your cops no matter what they do. shame shame. back the blue

  13. Why does this police department have so many questionable people on the force? It’s just bad optics in light of their history….this guy shouldn’t even be a cop.

  14. Power hungry cop/brutally gay narcissist—- what could possibly go wrong? This guy’s crawlspace needs a wellness check 😳

  15. Did it ever occur to anyone that, perhaps, the allegations were actually legitimately unfounded and that this officer was mistreated while employed by KPD (which has been under the new chief more than a year)? This chief has known of and been party to many horrible incidents himself throughout his career but the good old boys only protect each other. Did it ever occur to anyone that corruption from this dept has always come from the top down, even now? Do any of you have the courage it takes to stand up to a department that has a proven history of corruption, discrimination and deceit? Is there any other questionable things in his disciplinary file?? This article seems to be written to focus on a years old allegation and his sexual orientation rather than the fact that he was attempting to make change in a dept we all know needs change. Can you sit here and pull disciplinary files for the entire administration and find much worse than this? Yes, you can.

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The Late Denise A. Kaulfers, 46, of Ingleside, Illinois(Obituary) BRISTOL, Wis. — The woman killed in last week’s three-vehicle crash on Wilmot Road has been identified as Denise A. Kaulfers, 46, of Ingleside, Illinois, and the 19-year-old driver investigators say caused the crash has been identified as Joseph Jacob Meadows of Genoa City. Meadows was cited for operating left of center resulting in

Milwaukee Man Formally Charged In Kenosha Homicide, Attempted Murders Of Two Police Officers; $5 Million Cash Bail Set

KENOSHA, Wis. — Adam Scott Threlkeld, 45, of Milwaukee, was formally charged Monday with seven felonies stemming from the Sept. 20 shooting death of Antero Medina III, 33, of Kenosha, inside Shenanigan’s and the alleged attempted murders of two Kenosha Police officers minutes later. Kenosha County Court Commissioner Daniel E. Kellum set Threlkeld’s bail at $5 million cash while Threlkeld remained hospitalized from

No Criminality Suspected In Death At Kenosha Gas Station

KENOSHA, Wis. — Kenosha police say no criminality is suspected in the death of a 62-year-old man who was found unresponsive inside a vehicle at a Kenosha gas station earlier this month. Police and paramedics were sent to the Citgo gas station, 1405 60th St., at about 4:45 p.m. Sept. 18 for a report of an unconscious man in a vehicle. The response

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Repeat Offender Accused Of Giving Oral Sex In Public At Kenosha Train Station To Another Repeat Offender Released On No-Cash Bail By “Catch & Release” Kellum

Courtney E. Lewis, 41, and Dionte A. Holmes, 43, both of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Two repeat offenders accused of engaging in oral sex inside the Kenosha Metra Station were released Thursday on no-cash bail by Court Commissioner Daniel “Catch & Release” Kellum. Courtney E. Lewis, 41, and Dionte A. Holmes, 43, both of Kenosha, are each charged with lewd

Judge Barks But Doesn’t Bite: Woman Convicted Of Killing Husband’s Dog Gets Fine, No Jail Or Probation

KENOSHA, Wis. — A Pleasant Prairie woman who admitted to having her husband’s dog euthanized behind his back was sharply rebuked by a Kenosha County judge Wednesday, with the judge saying she believed the killing was done to punish the woman’s then-husband — but the tongue-lashing didn’t translate into jail time or probation. Maura A. Atwood, 33, pleaded guilty Wednesday to intentionally mistreating

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Woman Accused Of Biting Kenosha Police Officer, Trying To Escape Gets Only $500 Cash Bail

Alison Ann Kraft, 44, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A 44-year-old Kenosha woman accused of biting a police officer hard enough to break his skin and send him to the hospital, resisting arrest and trying to escape from a squad car was given only a $500 cash bail Wednesday by Kenosha County Court Commissioner Daniel “Catch & Release” Kellum. Alison

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Woman Accused Of Kicking Kenosha Deputy In Groin, Threatening Officers With Death Inside Courthouse Released On No-Cash Bail By ‘Catch & Release’ Kellum

Tiwana Shunelle Morrison, 46, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) Tiwana Shunelle Morrison, 46, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A 46-year-old Kenosha woman accused of kicking a Kenosha County Sheriff’s deputy in the groin and repeatedly threatening that officers would die was released Wednesday on no-cash bail by Court Commissioner Daniel “Catch & Release” Kellum. The decision underscores what has become

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Kenosha Man Accused Of Repeatedly Strangling Woman, Threatening To Kill Her; $7,000 Cash Bail Set

Qushawn L. Hawkins, 31, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A 31-year-old Kenosha man accused of repeatedly strangling the mother of his child, threatening to kill her and then taking off in a vehicle without permission was charged Wednesday with seven crimes, including three felonies. Kenosha County Court Commissioner Daniel “Catch & Release” Kellum set Qushawn L. Hawkins’ cash bail at

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Man Accused Of Threatening To Kill Kenosha Police Arrested On Felony ‘BODY ONLY’ Warrant — Daniel ‘Catch & Release’ Kellum Releases Him On No-Cash Bail Next Day

Shawn Michael Boone, 45, of South Milwaukee(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A 45-year-old South Milwaukee man accused of threatening to kill Kenosha police officers was arrested Tuesday on a “BODY ONLY” warrant — an order specifically requiring that he be taken into physical custody and brought before the court rather than simply being given another court date. One day later, Wednesday,

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Bail Slashed From $3,500 To Just $500 For Michigan Woman Accused Of Stealing $2,500 In Electronics From Pleasant Prairie Target

Jadaca T. Myers, 21, of Michigan(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. — A 21-year-old Michigan woman accused of stealing nearly $2,500 worth of high-end electronics from the Pleasant Prairie Target was arrested Tuesday, two months after a Kenosha County judge issued a $3,500 arrest warrant for her. On Wednesday, Kenosha County Court Commissioner Daniel “Catch & Release” Kellum slashed Jadaca T. Myers’

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Kenosha Woman Charged With Domestic Abuse After Allegedly Punching, Scratching Fiancé During Family Fight

Nicole R. Pignotti, 42, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Nicole R. Pignotti, 42, of Kenosha, was charged Tuesday with misdemeanor battery and disorderly conduct, both as acts of domestic abuse, after police say a family gathering spiraled into an argument and Pignotti punched and scratched her fiancé. Pignotti posted a total of $650 cash bail Monday and is scheduled to

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Sgt. Hard’s Co-Defendant Accused Of Cocaine Possession While Out On No-Cash Bail; $500 Cash Bail Set

Samantha K. Miner, 35 and Daniel R. Wells, 45, Both of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Samantha K. Miner, 35, of Kenosha, the co-defendant of former politician and corrections sergeant Andrew “Sgt. Hard” Berg in a recent drug case, was charged Wednesday with four new misdemeanors after police say she was caught with cocaine, drug paraphernalia and illegally obtained prescription medication

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100-MPH Motorcycle Chase Through Pleasant Prairie Ends In Crash; Kenosha Man Charged With Felony Fleeing

Seth Gordon Scheele, 20, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A 20-year-old Kenosha man accused of leading Pleasant Prairie Police on a motorcycle chase at speeds exceeding 100 mph was charged Wednesday with felony fleeing or eluding an officer. Seth Gordon Scheele appeared in Kenosha County Circuit Court Wednesday afternoon, where Court Commissioner Daniel Kellum set his cash bail at $4,000.

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Fourth OWI Felony Lands Kenosha Man 10 Months in Jail After Crashing Into Parked Car, Fleeing on Foot

George E. Malone Jr., 57, of Kenosha in Court(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye) KENOSHA, Wis. — A 57-year-old Kenosha man accused of crashing into a parked vehicle while impaired and then fleeing on foot was sentenced Wednesday to 10 months in the Kenosha County Jail after pleading guilty to a felony fourth-offense OWI. Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Heather Iverson imposed

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120 MPH Somers Police Chase Ends With Prison Sentence For Racine Man Who Shut Off Headlights, Crashed

Jose Peralta, 21, of Racine(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A Racine man who led a Kenosha County Sheriff’s deputy on a high-speed chase through Somers, reaching speeds of about 120 mph before shutting off his headlights and ultimately crashing into another motorist, was sentenced Wednesday by Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Heather Iverson to one year in state prison followed by

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31 Years Ago, Dequelvin Douglas Shot A Man In The Back And Killed Him, Shot Another Man Three Times; Today, Kenosha Judge, Prosecutor Oppose His Commutation

Convicted Murderer Dequelvin M. Douglas, 47 and Governor Tony Evers (D) KENOSHA, Wis. — More than 31 years after Dequelvin M. Douglas shot Solomon Bankhead three times and then chased down Jerry L. Darden, shooting Darden in the back and killing him, Douglas is seeking to have his life sentence commuted — a request drawing unusually forceful opposition from both Kenosha County Circuit

Daniel “Catch & Release” Kellum Needs To Go — Public Safety Depends On It: Opinion

KENOSHA, Wis. — We live in Kenosha, Wisconsin. We do not live in Chicago, Illinois. We are not okay with cashless bail, but that is exactly what Kenosha County has increasingly begun to look like under Judicial Court Commissioner Daniel “Catch & Release” Kellum. Kenosha County Eye has watched Kellum closely since the Kenosha County judges hired him this summer. We gave him

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Child Sex Offender Accused Of Raping Co-Worker; Released By Kellum On No-Cash Bail

Michael J. Harnisch, 37(Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry) KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha man and registered child sex offender accused of raping a co-worker was released on no-cash bail Friday by Kenosha County Court Commissioner Daniel “Catch & Release” Kellum. Michael J. Harnisch Michael J. Harnisch You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

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Hospital Gown, Cop-Car Crash And 100 MPH Flight: Illinois Woman Wanted In Kenosha County After Wild Police Chase

Santana R. Ross, 29, of Chicago(Lake County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A 29-year-old Chicago woman accused of driving a stolen vehicle while wearing a hospital gown, smashing into a police squad and fleeing officers at nearly 100 mph is now wanted in Kenosha County after failing to appear in court Tuesday — while she remains locked up in Illinois. Santana R. Ross,

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