Kenosha County Sheriff Reports Inmate Death In County Jail

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Robert A. Powell, 39, of Illinois
(Kenosha County Sheriff)

On November 3, 2024, at approximately 1:40 a.m. a Correctional Officer at the Kenosha County Jail Pretrial Facility discovered an inmate unresponsive but still breathing in his cell. Medical staff were immediately called to assist, but upon their arrival, the inmate mate was no longer breathing and remained unresponsive. 

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Following established protocols, jail staff initiated Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and requested additional medical assistance from the Kenosha Fire Department. Despite the ongoing life-saving efforts, which continued until approximately 2:20 a.m., the inmate was pronounce deceased. 

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The deceased was a 39-year-old man from Illinois named Robert A. Powell, Jr who had been in the Kenosha County jail since October 12, 2024. Powell had seven felonies and two misdemeanors pending in Kenosha County for stealing people’s wallets and trying to spend thousands of dollars at Best Buy and other places with the stolen credit cards. He also had two felony warrants warrants out of Illinois – one for continuing a financial criminal enterprise, and one for burglary, forced entry. Powell has an extensive criminal history including:

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Forcible Sexual Assault
Robbery

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Burglary
Obstructing An Officer
Resisting Arrest
Theft
Trespassing
Vandalism

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The preliminary investigation suggested the death is not suspicious and did not involve any use of force by correctional staff. The Racine County Sheriff’s Office has been assigned to lead the investigation under an agreement between the two agencies. All inquiries about this case should be directed to the Racine County Sheriff’s Office. 

“We are committed to a thorough and transparent investigation and provide further information as it becomes available,” said Sheriff Zoerner.

This case remains open and active.

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16 Responses

  1. This person “allegedly” although photographed, took my wife’s wallet September 26 and went to Best Buy and tried to hit her bank card for $4000+. She does not keep that much in her acct. So he used the Discover an hit BB for $2200. I hope he enjoyed the $500 cash she had.
    We were visiting Kenosha and had been there only ONE HOUR before Mr. P(F)owell went shopping.
    His death saves the state 40 years of paying for his upkeep. IDC.

    20
    4

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