(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Christian Enwright, the teacher fired last week for the long-term grooming of a pre-teen student, made his first court appearance today. Enwright was charged last week with 22 counts of disorderly conduct – facing more than five years in jail.
Enwright appeared in court today with his two attorneys, Jason Luczak and Nicole Masnica. Both are good, experienced, and expensive. Luczak is also an adjunct professor at Marquette Law School. Although Enwright walked into the courtroom on his own volition, he would leave in handcuffs, headed for the jail to be booked. This wouldn’t be the first time Enwright would be in handcuffs. He has an OWI arrest which is scheduled to go to trial in August of 2024.
(Kenosha County Sheriff)
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Attorney Luczak made a motion to dismiss the entire complaint saying in part:
“There is no statute, and so that’s why you see that [the DA’s office is] trying to put this conduct into an existing law that it really doesn’t fit. So that’s why I believe that under these circumstances as they then existed when these messages were sent, that it did not cause or provoke a disturbance, and I don’t think that you can find anywhere in the criminal complaint that establishes that particular element for each one of these 22 alleged violations.”
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Kenosha County Assistant District Attorney Alexandra Smathers opposed the motion to dismiss saying:
“The conduct back when these messages were sent were as disturbing then as they are now. And much like many of my cases where grooming and inappropriate behavior occurs, it’s not discovered immediately. It takes time, and that’s because of the manipulation that the defendant engages in. So just because this wasn’t a criminal incident doesn’t make it any less disturbing.
It is disturbing and disorderly for a teacher to send these messages to a former student. I do not think I could adequately have described the images, which is why I included them in the criminal complaint, and I don’t see how looking at these images anyone could say that it was appropriate for a teacher to send these to a child. For something to be disorderly, it has to corrupt the public morals and outrage the sense of public decency, and that’s exactly what we have in this case.
It doesn’t matter whether it was initially charged or not. It doesn’t matter whether it was initially discovered or not. The defendant’s actions at the time were disturbing, and they are now. It is up for a jury to decide whether or not the defendant sending these actions are disorderly, whether they corrupt the public morals or outrage the sense of public decency. Because of that, at this stage, the court should deny the motion to dismiss.”
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Kenosha County Circuit Court Commissioner William Michel II denied the motion saying:
“I’m going to deny your motion. I do believe I would agree with the state, at least at this stage, for a probable cause. I do believe the state has met its burden, and I’m going to deny your motion.”
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Michael Karp and Robert Welcenbach, both civil attorneys that represent the victim and her family, were in court today and Attorney Karp addressed the court:
“First, I represent the family of the victim for impending civil actions related to this case, and while I defer to your judgment regarding the conditions of the bond, I respectfully suggest the following conditions to ensure the safety and well-being of the victim and the integrity of the ongoing legal proceedings. The defendant should have no contact with the victim or her family. The defendant should have no contact with minors, except for his own child. The defendant should have no contact with former students…”
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Commissioner Michel set bail at $5,000 cash and Enwright was taken into custody by awaiting Sheriff’s Deputies.
KCE and other media outlets spoke to Attorneys Michael Karp and Robert Welcenbach after the hearing. He gave credit to the KUSD parents for putting pressure on the DA’s office and KUSD for the status of the case as it sits today. Karp told KCE and others that the family of the victim will be filing lawsuits in this case against Enwright and KUSD.
The family of the minor victim issued the following statement to KCE:
“We are heartbroken and devastated to learn that our daughter was a victim of sexual
grooming by someone she trusted and looked up to — a person who should have been there
to protect her and mentor her.
We are struggling to cope with the reality that our child was targeted in such a predatory
and exploitative manner by a KTEC West teacher. We are also extremely disappointed and
concerned by the casual and indifferent way school officials responded after learning yet
another KUSD teacher was engaging in predatory and criminal behavior with a minor child.
We are deeply disappointed by the school’s failure to maintain a safe environment for our
daughter and other students, especially when the school district has a repeated history of
teacher misconduct.
The fact that there have been multiple teachers engaging in inappropriate and criminal
conduct with students points to a significant problem within the school’s administration
and policies that urgently needs addressing. The safety and well-being of our children
should be KUSD’s top priority and it is clear that serious changes are needed.
The recent termination and criminal charges against the teacher that violated our daughter
are steps in the right direction, but they are not enough. We want a thorough investigation into how this kind of behavior was allowed to happen and we expect stricter oversight and preventive measures to be put in place by the school district to ensure this never happens again.
We will fight back and do whatever we have to so that no other child has to go through what
our daughter has had to go through. We hope by holding the responsible parties accountable and demanding change, our actions will bring about a safer environment for our kids and prevent this from happening again.”
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Enwright was released from Jail just before 4:30 p.m. today. Spending just over three hours in custody, He posted the $5,000 bail. Enwright’s case was originally assigned to Judge Rossell, who recused himself, and then Enwright’s defense attorneys substituted on Judge Gabriele. Today, Judge Dougvillo was assigned to preside over the case.
Enwright is due in court again on July 19, 2024 at 8:30am for a pretrial conference.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
81 Responses
Imagine going to bed at night as a lawyer knowing you’re helping a perv. Trying to justify this sick fucks actions.
I suspect the defense lawyer won’t try to justify anything. Instead, he’ll argue that these actions aren’t criminal. Disorderly conduct? If that’s all they can come up with, then this prosecution is a real stretch. There are probably over a thousand different crimes in the Wisconsin statute book, and they are left to argue that this conduct “tends to cause or provoke a disturbance”? Give me a break. Whether it’s Donald Trump in New York, or this goofball defendant in Kenosha, if the government wants to hang you, they’ll find the rope — no matter how poorly it fits your neck.
The behavior, as gross ás it was, does not meet the elements of the disorderly conduct statute. This case Will ultimately end in an acquittal or win in appeal.
OK Groomer.
I think most of the disorderly conduct charges will survive. Enwright’s attorneys are paid to do their jobs and they will fight the case zealously — that’s their ethical duty. My prediction is that the trial will be brief but the real battle will be on appeal.
You are a moron. There is zero chance this goes to trial. Either the DA will drop the charges or the guy will cop to 1 count of DC and get a fine.
Let’s be honest….at this point…..this guy is fucked for life even if charges were never brought. No one will ever hire him as a teacher again. This guy is going to be waiting tables or bartending the rest of his life.
With all the hype and scrutiny of this case the DA’s office may find it difficult to come up with a plea bargain and certainly won’t drop the charges.
I think the case will be litigated but he may opt not to have a jury trial and the victim may not even have to testify or, if she does, not much. His lawyers could use the technical strategy of “we’re not going to dispute the facts but whether on some of the counts the facts fit the law.” A jury isn’t going to like this guy and you don’t do well arguing technical legal points to an unsympathetic jury. The defense lawyers preserved their right to do this by objecting to the complaint yesterday. They can start by a more formal pretrial challenge to the complaint. If that doesn’t work then they could go for a bench trial and, if they lose, the issues are preserved for appeal. End of the day, no way this defendant walks. If you were the DA, what kind of plea bargain would you offer that wouldn’t outrage the public?
Don’t forget how corrupt Kenosha is. Although I do agree that the guy is getting the trump treatment, I also think he had evil in his heart.
Idk. Justice’s dilemma
Gravely has got one foot out the door already.
He can do whatever he wants. No repercussions. No reelection.
His legacy is all but ruined from years past. And nothing he’s done recently has helped bring it back.
Plea ? That’s my bet. Let’s just hope it’s more than one count.
Just as Gravely planned . Sweep it under the rug.
I don’t think that Gravely planned to sweep it under the rug but where is his leadership? Don’t you think he should have had Weiss in his office and read him the riot act? One of the former assistant DAs is now in the legislature and he certainly could have lit a fire under him to get some new anti-grooming laws. I know there are limits on what he can say in public but he can at least let people know he’s in touch with what’s happening and cares.
You are not wrong, but imagine a world where no lawyers were available to argue the law. Vigorous defense is an important part of protecting all of us, because it demands that prosecutions have facts behind them and judges have the law behind them.
In an unusual way, “losing” some of the counts may be a “win” because they will be able to go to the legislature and try to get a better law (as some other states have). Enwright’s teaching career is toast. The best way to help other kids around the state is for a better law. The legislature won’t do any real work again until next year so there’s plenty of time to get the ducks in a row.
Yah they will call it the Enwright Law —- hhahha that puke is gonna get a law named after him
Aww he wooks a wittle angwy
Gonna be ‘lawyer up’ time for some KUSD employees.
Yes . All upper management at K-Tec west , and all upper management at KUSD , including the spokeswoman. Gone.
Hope that we as taxpayers are NOT paying their legal bills, but it is KUSD
Good for the victim’s parents! I hope they are successful in suing KUSD and individual KUSD employees into oblivion, because that is the only way this will stop. The fact that 8 KUSD employees have been fired, charged, and/or prosecuted for illegal sexual contact/communication with minor children in their charge within less than a year is evidence of systemic failure.
Kudos again to Kevin/KCE for the reporting and the great photos from inside the courtroom. Thank you for keeping us informed.
The two that disliked this. I’m sure you would be ok with him texting your daughters. Losers
Sadly they probably would be. WTF is wrong with these people?!
What part of “innocent until proven guilty” don’t you understand? This schmuck is being tried in the media, but until a court/jury says he’s “guilty,” he’s not.
Did you see the messages? Do they not speak for themselves? It’s OK to form an opinion without the government telling you what to think. My lord. I’m guessing you got all your boosters too…
😂😂😂😂😂👊👊👊👊
A picture of a hard-on alone is guilty af😡
So he didn’t text an underaged student all hours of the night?
The administration at KTEC, Scott Hodges and Jennifer Seveirt, clearly care more about the image of KTEC than protecting children. And they refused to cooperate with law enforcement’s investigation of this pedo?! KTEC is not a safe place for children with those two in charge. And they sent that poor girl to be victimized again by this predator’s sick wife! Imagine what else they handled “in house”- they both should be fired and charged as well. The Kenosha community thanks you for exposing these dirtbags!! I hope this guy serves the maximum!!
Start with the perv protectors on the board…start making changes people!
Recall time?
Interesting fact: Jason Luczak is the son of Dave from the old “Dave and Carol” morning show on 96.5 WKLH.
Hopefully this court trial blows the roof off of KUSD building and everyone involved is fired! Parents need to wake up and put decent people on the school board, because this could happen to your child.
Never Forget!
Christian Enwright (KTEC) – Grooming
Nathan Gardner (Indian Trail) – Convicted, sexual contact with student
Melvin Tart (Indian Trail) – Inappropriate communications with student
Michael Russell (Indian Trail) – Sexual Contact With Student
Joseph Pitts (Lakeview Academy) – Grooming and inappropriate communication with student
Montenia “Monte” Nelson (Bradford) – Convicted felon who videotaped students and made sexual comments. “stalked and prowled” young girls according to parent.
David DeBerge (Substitute Teacher) – Convicted sexual assault of child
Markise Jackson (Substitute Teacher Tremper) – Inappropriate contact with student
Thanks for your litany. Keep it running!
You forgot about Christopher Hemba- Convicted of sex assault of student by school staff. Bullen Middle School Employee- KUSD
When was that?
Jeff Spencer Indian trail fired
His gf is a former play he coached
Kusd didn’t want to investigate
Police chief had to call superintendent to tell her to let the police in to do their job.
going back a few years… Curtiss Tolefree. His court date should be coming up.
Maybe KUSD could bring in drag performer Lucinda Reer to cheer up the teachers, if he can spare time away from kindergarten performances.
What a stupid, irrelevant comment.
Ok groomer. Pedo much?
Really, How many of these teachers and pastors who grooming and having sexual contact with minors are “drag Queens?
Battle of the anonymouses!!!
This entire situation is terrifying and heartbreaking. I am afraid to send my child to school.
Homeschool
Homeschool and quit giving your kids cell phones. Good lord, a 12 year old doesn’t need a cell phone- be a parent and entertain your kid or teach them that boredom is okay.
I would be too . My youngest is 643 years old , so I don’t have to worry about it
Christian and his wife. Dislike all the comments
Another win for Kevin. What would we do without him? Thank you so much Kevin!
Another win for Kevin !
Another win for Kenosha County !
Tell me, Show me, one other person in this county making a difference for the good more than Kevin Mathewson ??
I don’t know what Kevin makes $$ investigating, writing, then posting these important articles, I truly don’t. But whatever it is, it’s not enough !!
Whether you can help support the work Kevin does with $5, $25, or $100. There is a donation button at the bottom of every story.
Whether it’s gasoline or shoe leather, there are expenses in finding, investigating, and then posting these all important facts. Not to mention all the coffee needed to work as much as he does.
Help support this otherwise FREE News Site.
Truly, what is it worth to you to know what didn’t know before Kevin showed up ?
Oh My Goodness! I never looked at the bottom of the page! Cool! I’m donating!
I’ve donated a couple times
Yep , this story made the big time , without Kevin nobody would know & Enwright would still be teaching
Yep and the school board would still be smiling that they are there for the students!
Which is sad, people need to pay attention !!! There’s more to life than TikTok
This paragraph from the parents’ statement says it all “The recent termination and criminal charges against the teacher that violated our daughter
are steps in the right direction, but they are not enough. We want a thorough investigation into how this kind of behavior was allowed to happen and we expect stricter oversight and preventive measures to be put in place by the school district to ensure this never happens again.”
The entire KUSD system needs to be dismantled from Weiss on down and rebuilt to create a safe place for children to learn. Every single person who participated in this coverup in this Enright case to the other grooming/pedophilia cases needs to be charged with sex crimes. This is absolutely reprehensible!
The first paragraph is spot on. The second, well, no way to prove “sex crimes” against those people. If they come down on anyone, the principal will likely be the scapegoat.
Give Kusd some competition by having the parents being able to send their children to a school they choose. Racine and other areas have this widely available.
Did Enwright do that bugged eyed, lip pulling face for the judge to try to win him over?
Trashy little man still thinks he’s a 12-year-old. What a loser!
From myself on down or up, I blame the parents for everything a child does.
I kicked my 19 year old child out of my house when he demonstrated disrespect to one of his parents.
Yes I’m being vague here.
10 years and forward and to this day he has told me numerous times that it was the best thing I could have done for him !
He is very successful mostly because his parents taught him everything he needed to know to leave home by the time he was 18.
But partly because once he thought his shit didn’t stink I showed him the door.
And that last lesson taught him to stand up and start acting like an adult !
Not some 12 year old child stuck in a fairy tale.
The outrage of the Public is justified and the teacher deserves a much harsher penalty but it’s going to extremely difficult to terminate employees who in the words of some “deliberately” wouldn’t cooperate with KPD. It’s not that they didnt cooperate it’s KUSD’s policy to not involve law enforcement unless absolutely necessary. I work for KUSD and I am ashamed of the administration (at the ESC level) I am ashamed of the policy and procedures, I am sick of tax funded employees getting away with “Did not return KCE’s calls” or shouting “No comment”. If this was KPD or KSD people from other states would be walking around downtown demanding “no justice no peace” but it seems as if some people turn a blind eye to KUSD. The new superintendent is a joke , the HR director has proven that he is evil and the rank and file teachers , support staff and principals either step an fetch or they face the wrath of the ESC. Enough with the cliche “thoughts and prayers” for the victims it’s time to rewrite policy and hold the ESC brass accountable for each and every employee in the district!! If 8 cops were terminated for sexual crimes the cheif would be terminated and command staff would be gutted.
I am currently looking for a good way to communicate with Kevin to leak every bit of information I can if it helps to raise awareness and prevent crimes against the children of this community!
You are doing a service to your community. If you want to remain anonymous, use Proton mail.
The school board needs to kick some butt and also mandate a “stand down” day where these topics are addressed in no uncertain terms with all employees.
KUSD’s trying to keep things under the rug is nothing new.
Just send him a tip with your info.
The tip procedure is at the bottom of this story. And every story.
Right above the Donation button.
Hit both
The behavior of the administration and these sick individuals working as teachers is beyond common sense and moral conscience. The leadership is as much or more to blame because they protect and ignore this sick behavior. In addition to that, here is one more thing that needs to be said.
PARENTS! Stop believing that your child wouldn’t engage in this behavior, they are children and so vulnerable to attention, especially in the early teen and teen years! No child should have a cell phone in their bedroom overnight. Parental controls should be set high and the phone should be checked after use at the end of each day. You wouldn’t allow your child to visit adult predators in person or to attend sexually explicit movies or parties, at least I hope not. Leaving a young person alone with a cellphone, with no parental parameters and oversight is the same thing. Cellphones like anything maybe part of our world today but they can be as dangerous to a child as any in person interaction. Protect the children!
Excellent points. The parents who are righteously upset at the school district and appropriately call for change should not overlook their own responsibility at home.
You mean the school board who helped hire this current superintendent and who are aware of every hire, fire, resignation, retirement in the district yet only did something when public outcry became to loud to ignore. When local candidates where selected to be superintendent like Hosmanek , Bisciglia, Mangi these types of problems were not so common because they had ties to the community and cared for the people in them. The board constantly searches outside the district for candidates which has turned into Kenosha receiving other district’s garbage.
The type to occupy board meetings and demand transparency and accountability is NOW!! Demand policy change , accountability, fire the staff who normalize harming children , gut administration starting with the superintendent and HR director. Save the “thoughts and prayers” bullshit and demand , and follow through with actions!
There were issues under the old administrations, too. One of the names mentioned above had to be warned by former ADA Ginkowski that they could be charged with obstructing for trying to interfere with the arrest of a teacher.
What were the circumstances surrounding that arrest?
Just a guess, but from this point on most anyone from KUSD or the school board is going to be saying much of anything.
Would not be surprised if there is not reports of lost cell phones and laptops.
The board has some limits on what they can do. But they can and should investigate what happened here and in other cases and hold some people accountable.
It isn’t rocket science. The principal could have nipped this in the bud: “Mr. Enwright, we have reports that you have been sending inappropriate social media texts to a student. We can do this the easy way or the hard way. Your letter of resignation and a pen are in front of you.”
Sir, yes Sir !
Rumor is Weiss has an affair when he was at south Milwaukee
With a man?
Maybe parents will start waking up. Check out the porn that the KUSD Administration allows in the KUSD libraries. They basically gave concerned parents the middle finger.
Watched the vid clip with the lawyers Michael Karp and Robert Welcenbach.
Don’t know anything about previous cases but they certainly seem focused.
Personally would not want to have them coming after me.
Maybe the DA or School Board should start with Steve Knecht he has hired at least 3 people that have been arrested for sexual crimes against students .
The least qualified principal but the highest paid with the shortest time as a principle
Save Our Children
Abolish Teacher Unions
Abolish Public Schools
Our Constitution requires public schools. Sheesh.
You may need to re-read that document.
Can every one look at Troy Landry page? Kevin should too and post. He has the balls to post About being accountable for elected officials. While his wife is part of this quiet coverup. Cmon Kevin. Post the hypocrisy of the board
Want to get these people’s attention? Stop marching in front of the educational building and start marching in front of these peoples’ houses. March in front of Weiss’ house…..