Attorney, Former Politician’s Son Gets No Charges For Felony Bail Jumping Drug Arrest – Judge Goes Easy On Probation Violation

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Trenton Kmiec (24) of Salem
(Various Sheriffs Departments)

A connected Kenosha man on probation has once again escaped charges for serious conduct. Trenton B. Kmiec was arrested on August 23, 2024 following two drug overdoses that nearly cost him his life.

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Racine County District Attorney Patricia Hanson (D)

The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department asked Kenosha DA Mike Graveley (D) to charge Kmiec with one felony count of bail jumping and one misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia. Graveley sent the case to Racine to “go away,” and it away it went. Racine County DA Patricia Hanson refused to charge Kmiec. Of course KCE asked Hanson why she refused to charge Kmiec and of course, she didn’t respond.

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Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Gerad Dougvillo
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

A Wisconsin DOC probation agent wrote a letter to Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Gerad Dougvillo on September 9, 2024 asking him to give Kmiec 3-4 months in jail for multiple probation violations. She wrote in the letter that Kmiec dropped dirty for meth and cocaine on April 30, 2024. She wrote that Kmiec told her he had law enforcement contact on May 3, 2024. He lied and told her he didn’t know why. She learned he had an overdose on May 3, 2024 and had to be revived by law enforcement with Narcan. She was also notified that at about 9:43 p.m. on Friday evening, August 23, 2024, Kmiec was arrest following another overdose where he again had to be revived with Narcan. This time, Kmiec was arrested. Kmiec told his agent that he only smoked marijuana that night, another lie.

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“Due to Mr. Kmiec’s continue drug use, the Department is respectfully requesting 90 to 120 days conditional jail time be imposed as a response to hold Mr. Kmiec accountable as well as for his own safety. This will provide the department time to have him completed(sic) drug assessments and set up support services for after his release back into the community,” wrote agent Erin Saunders with DOC.

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Dougvillo could have done nothing, or sentenced Kmiec to up to 12 months behind bars for the multiple probation violations. Dougvillo initially set a hearing to listen to arguments, but then canceled the hearing and gave Kmiec only three months of conditional jail, the minimum requested by Governor Tony Evers’ (D) Department of Corrections. He continued the white-glove treatment that could result in a a fatality. The three months is insufficient to complete the drug programs requested by the DOC, KCE is told by a source within the jail.

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On August 23, 2024, Kmiec’s girlfriend signaled a neighbor to call 9-1-1 to report that Kmiec was overdosing and unconscious in his vehicle. His vehicle was in front of his home in the 9000 block of 238th Ave in Salem. It’s a home he shares with his father, Ted Kmiec, who is a criminal defense attorney in Kenosha County. The girlfriend then left the scene before police arrived.

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Theodore (Ted) Kmiec III – Former Salem Lakes Trustee and Lawyer
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Deputies arrived on scene and found Kmiec to be in critical condition with agonal breathing. Agonal breathing, also known as agonal respiration or gasping respiration, is a near-death condition that involves a person gasping and moaning for air. Seemingly, Kmiec was snorting opiates, as a straw was found and considered drug paraphernalia.

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Kenosha Sheriff’s Deputies quickly administered Narcan multiple times and were able to revive Kmiec. And off-duty Salem Lakes fire/Rescue paramedic was also on the scene administering CPR. She can be heard in the body camera footage saying that ” last time we had to give him five doses [of Narcans] to revive him.” This means that this was at least the second time that Kmiec almost breathes his last breath.

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Kmiec’s Criminal History in Wisconsin
(WCCA)

He was taken to St. Catherine’s Hospital in Kenosha where he was treated. While being treated, Kenosha Sheriff’s Deputies called Kmiec’s probation agent, who issued a probation warrant. The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department charged Kmiec with possession of drug paraphernalia and Felony Bail Jumping. Kmiec was released from St. Catherines about 10:27 p.m. and taken to the Kenosha County Jail, a place Kmiec is not unfamiliar with.

Kenosha County District ATtorney Michael Graveley (D)
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Kenosha County District Attorney Mike Graveley (D), who is friends with Kmiec’s father Ted, sent this case to a neighboring county with the expectation that the neighboring DA will take it easy on Kmiec, like so many times before.

Kmiec is on felony bail for a serious incident from 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.

Here is KCE’s other coverage of Trenton Kmiec:

Video Preceding Ted’s Wife’s Arrest

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35 Responses

  1. They are doing him a disservice and unfortunately he will not be around longer and they should be held accountable for it.

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  2. Very interesting that his dad Ted Kmiec has a Crooked Carli sign at his office. We live in a corrupt county. It is time to put an end to this corruption on November 5th. Vote for Xavier Solis

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  3. This kid will end up dead or will kill someone and it will be the judge’s fault. Imagine if this was going on in any of our families, our kids would get the book thrown at them.

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  4. If it was any other Joe Blow they would have been tried and convicted. Amazing how corrupt our judicial systems are when it comes to their own. Makes me sick and just another season to get the heck out of Kenosha!!

  5. What’s the political affiliation of Judge Dougvillo? Just wondering because it’s not mentioned in the story. Thanks in advance for an answer.

    1. What does it matter? This site has praised him several times for decisions so it’s not relevant.

      Bottom line, EVERY single judge in this county, state, country…..has been hard on some cases and given light sentences in others. Same with district attorneys….

      You can’t take a one size fits all approach to every case regardless if you are a “hard” judge or a “soft” judge.

      You think Schroeder didn’t be real easy on some cases where he should have dealt with an iron fist? Of course he did….everyone has.

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  6. I do not believe the father should be held accountable in this matter. Instead, the focus should be directed towards those managing his cases on behalf of the prosecution. The policies of this county’s District Attorney are outdated and do not address the current needs of our society. To avoid continued inefficiency, consider voting for Solis, who promises a new approach. Change is necessary—for example, preferential treatment in legal deals for those with certain names such as Parise or Kmiec must end.
    VOTE for SOLIS for a fair system.

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  7. You’re not helping your son.
    Let him serve the max 12 months for these lesser charges and require treatment while he’s there.

    The treatment Probably won’t stick but it’s a start.

    God forbid he injures or kills someone down the road. Then Ted, you will need to watch your back for that persons family since the courts have failed the rest of us.

  8. Maybe next time (and there will undoubtedly be a next time), they shouldn’t pull out the Narcan. Next time, they just close their eyes and drive away.

    They may not save his life, but they will be saving the lives of any future victims of his.

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  9. This election we need to get narcan off the streets, the sooner the better. We don’t have much control over fentanyl, but we can sure as hell get narcan and therefore these clowns off the streets.

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  10. His actions will ultimately lead to his death. Unfortunately he might take innocent people with him. The legal system is based on money. If you have money you get one set rules. No money, no justice. This is your America

    1. I imagine daddy has plenty up his sleeve. Look how long this kid’s criminal behavior has been going on for. Daddy to the rescue every single time.

  11. Maybe farming the cases out to Racine is a bad idea. It sounds like this young man has a horrible drug problem and a track record of failures. If they kept the cases then he could have been put in the drug court program which is heavily supervised and a lot of work where over 18 months he sees a probation agent, therapist and judge every week and is subject to frequent random UA’s. Kenosha County set up a drug court for offenders like him.

  12. SAD ! Are police dept deals with these low life scum buckets, risk there life their safety and deal with this only for a corrupt DA to lighten the charges and do this. another sad day for Kenosha and the ones who care about it.

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  13. It is shameful by all that he is receiving so many chances and he keeps proving that he does not deserve them. He is dangerous to himself and others.
    Kevin, I appreciate your continued efforts in reporting updates. I would hope that the facts will inform all to hold those in power and position responsible and accountable for their actions as well, as this person is granted undeserved leniency.

  14. Two things that are blatantly clear:
    1) local liberal cronyism is in play.
    2) As mentioned in the article, eventually he’s going to harm the public.

    A disregard to public safety is a failure on all levels (Parents, District Attoney, Judges, and the public for electing / re-electing the same liberal clowns)!

  15. Are some of these folks so sick, addicted, and brain-damaged that they can’t be rehabilitated? How much money has been spent trying to help this young man? He doesn’t want help. Society’s goals are at cross-purpose with his goals. His goal is to get high at any cost. He needs hospice care rather than Narcan.

  16. Gravely is known to “case drag” cases he knows he is going to drop on the hopes he can get them on bail jumping so he can put somewhat of a notch on his desk.

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