Kenosha County’s New District Attorney Optimistic And Confident, Despite Mass Exodus Of Liberal Prosecutors

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Xavier Solis – Kenosha County District Attorney-Elect
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

For the first time in many decades, Kenosha County has a conservative Republican at the helm of the DA’s office. Prosecutors in the office, staffed by mainly liberal Democrats, have been giving notice of their resignations. Eight have officially given notice that they will be leaving the office. Several more have been rumored to be leaving. When the smoke clears, the office will have about half (or less) of the prosecutors left upon the commencement of the Solis administration.

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Under District Attorney Mike Graveley (D), all prosecutors had near-full autonomy over their cases with little to no oversight. This led to over generous plea deals, political prosecutions, and giving political allies big breaks. Solis, during his campaign, pledged change. He promised to end the political charging decisions.

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Solis’ vision for the office of holding defendants accountable for violent crimes and dangerous drug deliveries has apparently scared off the prosecutors on the left. Not one conservative Assistant District Attorney has left.

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When asked about the mass exodus, Solis had the following to say:

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“I anticipated that some individuals might choose to step away from their roles. Change, while often intimidating, is what I promised this community. The coming months will undoubtedly bring challenges, but I am fully prepared to meet them head-on. Together, we will press forward, upholding justice for victims and ensuring that those who commit violence or spread poison in our community are held accountable,” Solis told KCE Thursday evening.

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Here are the prosecutors that are leaving:

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T. Clair Binger (D)
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

The prosecutor who infamously tried the Kyle Rittenhouse case and brought shame and embarrassment to the County, T. Clair Binger(D) gave his notice and is going to prosecutor a for the liberal Walworth DA, Zeke Wiedenfeld.

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Alexandra Smathers (D)
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Alexandra Smathers (D), the prosecutor who wrote a false letter to get a beloved SANE nurse fired, gave her notice. She is the sexual assault prosecutor. She gave minimal notice to the office and left many victims of sexual assault hanging, including many small children. A grandfather of one of the victims who was allegedly raped, and later passed away, was very upset at the news, saying “She should have stayed to finish her cases. She doesn’t care about my grandbaby, ” he told KCE today.

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Carli McNeill (D)
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Carli McNeill (D), who lost against Solis, gave her notice and is going to Rock County to prosecute.

Jessica Krejcarek (D)
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Prosecutor Jessica Krejcarek (D) is leaving to go work with her best friend, Carli McNeill in Rock County.

Drew Lehman (D)
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

One of the more reasonable and tough-on-crime democrats, Drew Lehman (D), is leaving to be closer to family. He had a long commute every day. He is the only one leaving that many defense attorneys say they will miss.

Kelly Birschbach (D)
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Kelly Birschbach(D), who has many decades of time as a prosecutor is resigning.

Emily Gaertner (D)
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Prosecutor Emily Gaertner, who has a terrible trial record is also leaving, but allegedly has had no luck finding a new place to work. She refuses to tell DA-Elect when she is leaving.

Alexis Bauer (D)
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

One of the newest prosecutors, Alexis Bauer, is also leaving the office before Solis takes the Oath.

Rhonda Mrnak (D)
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Rhonda Mrnak, a victim/witness specialist, who once threatened her step-daughter with a gun and had a restraining order slapped against her is also leaving. Mrnak was not disciplined for this, but she was disciplined for bringing a gun to serve a subpoena on a witness, which was against policy. Her disciplinary file is here. Kenosha County Eye had to sue the DA’s office to get it.

Many in the legal community believe that the seemingly orchestrated departure of half of the prosecutors is intentional. They are leaving in protest of a DA that doesn’t align with their ideals of keeping bad guys out of prison. The prosecutors, who constantly say they care about the victims seemingly no longer care, or never did. Many cases will be delayed and there is a chance some victims could not get the outcomes they want, due to the shortage.

But Solis, however, wants Kenosha County residents to know that he expects his office to be fully staffed in a matter of months from when he takes office on January 6, 2025. Solis has vowed to work “around the clock,” and personally handling cases until staffing is at a better level.

If you’re a lawyer and want to apply to be an Assistant District Attorney in Kenosha, please visit this website. There are open positions. There are also internship opportunities.

https://wisc.jobs/Pages/Agency/DISTRICTATTORNEYS.aspx?unit=47500

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  1. I’m confused about how this article makes sense, considering the marijuana mistrial article. They seem to be completely contradictory.

    This article says about the DAs:
    – “Liberal Democrats”
    – “Over generous plea deals”
    – “All prosecutors had near-full autonomy over their cases with little to no oversight.”

    Compare this to the weed retrial case:
    – “Retry a 25-year-old Milwaukee man for a minor marijuana case.” Haven’t liberal Democrats been trying to legalize weed forever?
    – “Mizrain-Aguilar has a clean record, but the Kenosha County DA’s office wanted to brand him as a felon.”
    – “Michael Graveley (D) made the decision to put Mizrain-Aguilar through another trial.”

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  2. No bond for the repeat offender drug dealers… they can afford the large bonds so they can get back to business.

    No bond initially for sex offenders/child molesters. Make them sit in jail for a while.

    Prosecute all the crimes committed while in jail. Battery, theft, destruction of property charges are almost always dismissed… as if it’s just expected during lockup. Force them to face up to everything they do.

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    1. What a concept !

      Don’t get me wrong, I agree wholeheartedly !!

      But that is a lesson that was supposed to be taught at home ! From age two when we start throwing our toys at our brothers and sisters.
      As we grew up we are supposed to learn that wrong actions are not acceptable. Parents are supposed to teach their children to be respectful of others. Starting in the home. Then at the playground. Then at school.

      “ Face up to everything they do !! “ You bet !
      But they wouldn’t be in jail learning those lessons if they were taught them at home.
      It’s easy to have children. It’s takes work to raise them.
      But if you start early and remain consistent, it gets easier over time. As a citizen and a parent, you have to do the work for the benefit of your children and the rest of the society you are sending them out into.

      You

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      1. It’s unfortunate we can’t go back and fix others (poor) parenting skills and change the trajectory of a child’s life that led them to crime. And it’s also unfortunate that once reprimanded, convicted or set free that an adult can’t/wont change as well. We are all products of our environments and not all environments are healthy or conducive to raising good humans.

        1. By that do you mean the part of town you live in ? If so, move.

          Can’t move because you can’t afford higher rent ? Get a better job.

          Can’t get a better job because you have kids that need taking care of ? Get your spouse to get a job opposite yours. One of you work days, the other nights.
          Work 4-10s and the other works 3 days.

          If because of that work you don’t see each other ? Well then maybe you shouldn’t have had kids.

          If you don’t have a spouse, get one.
          Kids should be raised in a two parent household.

          Need help ? Go live near your parents. Not with them but near them. Ask them to “help” watch the kids. Not every day but one or two days. At least till they go to school.

          Whatever your “environment” is, it can be changed.

          Stop smoking. Stop drinking. Stop eating out 4 times a week. Stop $250. Cable bills. Cut expenses until you get control of them. Hopefully before the kids graduate out of high school.
          And even then, have the kids pay rent. If they are not in college, they pay rent to live at home. School or work. They have to do one. This goes for high school dropouts too. No school, then get a job.
          No school or work, then no room at home.

          Environment ?
          Don’t like winter? Move south.
          Point is, you control your environment.
          By working harder and making it happen.

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  3. Bye bye all you corrupt employees. Thank you God we have solis and a new un corrupt team that we will build in are Da office.

    make Kenosha Great again !!!

    Binger be careful out there in Walworth your drunken days on lake geneva in a boat may catch up with you .

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  4. Now we finally have proof that the Kenosha DA’s office was nothing more than a nest of hardcore, 100% partisans who never gave a damn about the citizens of Kenosha County and only cared about advancing the goals of the lunatic fringe of the Democratic Party. Let’s not forget the decades of endless denials from our previous DAs about how partisan the office has been, either. Good riddance!

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    1. To have this exodus from the DAs office shows not only that they disagree with the obvious new direction of the office but that they are not willing to take direction from their superiors !
      (Put that on your resume)

      It’s obvious that they were given free rein to follow an agenda that they thought in their own minds was correct and are unwilling to change that direction when told to by the people that pay their salaries.

      Maybe they should go out in the private sector and open up their own shops if they feel so confident in that decision. But ultimately they will just find another public trough to feed off of regardless of the drive or even if they have to move.
      A consistent government pay check is hard walk away from.

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  5. Sad it took this long to get this done, it just goes to show that one bad seed plant another and another and another.
    Thankyou goodness for are new Police Chief that seems to be by the book and no grey area when it comes to his dept.
    a lot of them bad seeds are gone and soon to be gone, great job chief cleaning up your deot , Kenosha respects you .

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    1. It is profoundly disheartening to witness the much-discussed mass exodus of zealots taking place. How tragic that an entire county has been held captive by these contemptible individuals who, offended by the overwhelming verdict of the ballot box and driven by political motivations, have chosen to abandon their posts, leaving the prosecutor’s office in disarray.
      The Attorney General must take decisive action to ensure that none of these parasitic entities ever again secure employment funded by hardworking taxpayers. The incoming prosecutor shall be compelled to scrutinize their past dealings with utmost diligence, forwarding all findings to the capital. Meanwhile, we pray that justice shall prevail for the innocent infant who perished in the bitter cold beneath the bridge. Unlike the guilty vermin who flee from their accountability

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        1. You are right!
          Similar to the situation that led to Solis’ election, there appears to be growing concern among Madison law enforcement community regarding case follow-through. Some Agents have expressed frustration when their investigations don’t result in prosecutorial action by the Attorney General’s office. There are questions about whether case prioritization is being influenced by non-legal factors. Worst EverS and his AG will be a bitter memory after the next elections.

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  6. so, we have 8 people that are leaving?
    it just goes to show that are system and these people are broken and corrupt.
    i never ever thought that we would have DA that lie like these people do.
    and cover up and manufacture false claims to get their ego boosted, so glad and proud that Kenosha has finally seen and realized we need a change. Gravely should be held
    accountable for some of this and be investigated for all his wrongdoing
    We see it all in the Rittenhouse case. Attorneys from all over the US commented on the unprofessional behavior and tactics of Binger.
    and Krause, it was sickening that this case was not a open shut case.
    However great for Kenosha that these people are leaving are city, but what Damage are they going to do and cause in another city.

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  7. This article seems to hint the resignations are a bad thing; a loss to Kenosha. Just the opposite is true. What is needed in that office is common sense and a lack of a political agenda, justice is supposed to be blind. The DA’s office should not have a goal of advancing a radical agenda of either the radical left or right, but finding the truth and if someone has committed a crime, prosecuting not persecuting that person, and there being appropriate consequences for their actions based on the nature of the infraction. Penalties should not be excessively harsh not soft based upon the prosecuting attorney’s ideology.

    just an observation from the peanut gallery!

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  8. I hope the new ADAs don’t try to come in trying to prove something by winning at all costs. Every case is unique and Kenosha has been very hellbent on winning, they often overlooked all case details just for the win. Too many innocent people are being charged and sentenced. It’s a tough job if you actually care about justice.

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    1. This is so true. People often don’t have all the details and assume guilt, but if they knew how little evidence if any… some of these DAs were using to slap charges against people, they would have a different perspective. Hoping the new crew is more about innocent until proven guilty and less about their winning record. If you watched them in the courtroom you didn’t see professionalism either!

  9. OMG These DA are not seasoned, and they are not leaving for any other reason than they are corrupt as hell and don’t want to be exposed, please get off your high horse and see the real reason. They have been exposed for unethical behavior and moral standards numerous times. They are a Joke to Kenosha and to their profession,

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    1. Exactly, they’re leaving because they will actually have to answer to the rule of law and a district attorney who is serious about the job. The light has been turned on and the cockroaches are screwing to get out of it. None of them are a great loss, and we’ll just have to pick and choose who to go after in the near future and everybody in the hopefully not so distant future. Looking forward to the new district attorney taking over.

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  10. This exiting batch has been coddled by the judges for a long time. The prospect of having an actual boss is apparently a shock to their system. Some things, I suppose, just can’t be tolerated.

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  11. but why not Tim Martin?? he’s not great at his job.. Oh maybe its because he is on of the higher paid da’s in Kenosha and has it made? Make that make sense

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  12. XAVIER Don’t worry about the SCUM leaving that office, Do the best you can and what you promised when elected,
    take the time and hire good professionals, attorneys to assist you in your success, we Kenosha stand with you!

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  13. Good riddance don’t let the door hit you in the @&) on the way out!
    One step toward sanity in Kenosha County government.

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  14. Good riddance. Shows how little they care about their community. Honestly prosecuting is the easiest type of law to practice. They just have to present evidence, the police have already done all the work. Defense attorneys have the hard job. And public defenders are the only ones that don’t have any discretion. DAs can choose not to prosecute, police can choose not to charge, but public defenders have to deal with what they’re given.

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  15. Bye Bye Binger! Don’t let the door hit ya where the good lord split ya! This is the best news I have heard all year!

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  16. Correction: They were very generous with defendants… unless the defendant was a legal gun owner. Check out what Binger tried to do to Guy Smith.

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  17. Look at the swamp draining itself. You’ve got to love it. Bye bitches.
    Best wishes to Mr. Solice, it’s the beginning of making Kenosha great again. After so many years of liberal reign, it will take
    some time so people have to have patience, but we are on the right track!

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  18. Looks like the swamp is starting to drain itself. About time! Hopefully they ALL go down the drain, and NEVER come back!!! We The People can not ever let this happen again! We have to secure our elections to stop the selections!

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    1. Mr. Mathewson will have to investigate how this happened. He knows many details already, just trying to complete the puzzle. This nightmare begun back in 2020 when Gabrielle and Wagner decided it.

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  19. Just wondering- will Solis charge Jacob Blake’s girlfriend with filing a false police report? Since he supposedly didn’t break in through the window and jam his fingers into her vagina without consent? That’s what the warrant was for… why did she lie about such a nice feller?

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  20. All those gang members on the run shouldn’t forget to take Tinder Angie Gabrielle with them. After all, it was HER idea to promote loyal Carli to Deputy. Moreover, she has been controlling everything that’s been happening at the Molinaro building ever since she left, becoming untouchable by hiding behind her judge’s robe.

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  21. I get it, they didn’t win. They are being petty. All they are doing is hurting the community. Which in the end is all the proof you need to know they didn’t really care about it in the first place.

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  22. How unfortunate for everyone. These positions should not be dictated by party lines. They should be non-partison positions, as should judges, Sheriff and County Exec. They are all to be serving our community fairly and and honestly for all. Not by how their party sees fit. Sad how much politics has gotten in the way of how best to serve the people.

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  23. The attorneys who have, or are leaving will likely bring their juvenile petulant attitudes to their new employer.
    They are not professionals.

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  24. I’m going to miss Binger the most. I have never planned to be charged with any criminal offense, but if I were, I’d want T. Clair Binger to prosecute. Guaranteed acquittal for me! 😁

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Kenosha Man Linked to Illinois Homicide Investigation Charged After DNA Allegedly Ties Him to Glock Found in Vehicle

Travis L. Young Jr., 22, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Travis L. Young Jr., 22, of Kenosha, was charged Thursday with possession of a firearm by a felon after police said DNA evidence tied him to a Glock handgun found inside a vehicle while authorities were assisting with a homicide investigation out of Waukegan, Illinois. Young is scheduled for an

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Kenosha Man Gets 60 Days Work Release After Pleading Guilty in Injury-Causing Drunk Driving Crash

Robert J. Dibiase, 43, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) SOMERS, Wis. — Robert J. Dibiase, 43, of Kenosha, pleaded guilty earlier this month to causing injury by operating while intoxicated in connection with a September crash in Somers that left a woman hurt. Robert J. Dibiase, 43, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in to view the rest of this

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Washington Man Accused of Trapping Woman in Hotel Room, Threatening Her With Shotgun Ammunition

Mark E. Hovey, 40, of Silverlake, Washington(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. — A Washington man accused of trapping his girlfriend inside a Pleasant Prairie hotel room and threatening that he could kill her with a shotgun was charged Monday in Kenosha County Court, where Court Commissioner William “Bargain Bail Billy” Michel II set a $1,000 cash bail. Mark E. Hovey, 40,

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Kenosha Woman Accused of Stealing More Than $2,100 in Merchandise From Target and Nike Given $2,500 Bail

Lorilei L. Barwick, 53, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. — A Kenosha woman accused of stealing more than $2,100 worth of merchandise from Target and Nike over two separate dates was charged Wednesday and given a $2,500 cash bail by Court Commissioner William “Bargain Bail Billy” Michel II. Michel also ordered 53-year-old Lorilei L. Barwick to have no contact with

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Chicago Man Wanted on $10,000 Warrant After Allegedly Using Fake Funeral Scam to Try to Steal Thousands From Kenosha Shoppers

Kenosha Police Department(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye) KENOSHA, Wis. — A 24-year-old Chicago man is wanted in Kenosha County after prosecutors charged him with allegedly using a fake funeral donation scam to try to steal thousands of dollars from shoppers outside two Kenosha stores. Court Commissioner William Michel II issued a $10,000 warrant for Kion E. Harris after charges were

Kenosha Hometown Heroes Commission Opens Second Quarter Nominations

KENOSHA, Wis. — The Kenosha Hometown Heroes Commission is once again seeking nominations for local veterans to be recognized during the second quarter of 2026. The program honors men and women who have served or are currently serving in the United States Armed Forces and who have a connection to the City of Kenosha. Eligible nominees must have been born in Kenosha, currently

City Compost Site To Open April 6; Free Drop-Off Available for Kenosha Residents

KENOSHA, Wis. — Kenosha residents will once again be able to drop off brush, branches and compostable materials beginning Monday, April 6, when the city’s Compost/Brush Drop-Off Site reopens for the season. The site, located at 4071 88th Ave., will operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, excluding holidays. The service is available only to City of Kenosha residents and

Tiffany Pushes to End Emissions Testing, Eliminate Taxes on Tips and Overtime in New Campaign Proposals

GREENDALE, Wis. — Republican gubernatorial candidate and Congressman Tom Tiffany unveiled two major economic proposals Tuesday, calling for an end to Wisconsin’s vehicle emissions testing requirement and promising to eliminate state income taxes on tips and overtime pay. During an event in Greendale, Tiffany said Wisconsin’s emissions testing system is outdated and places unnecessary burdens on drivers in seven southeastern Wisconsin counties. He

City to Honor Four Kenosha Leaders With Memorial Tree Plantings on Arbor Day

KENOSHA, Wis. — Four longtime Kenosha community leaders who died in 2025 and 2026 will be honored later this month during the City of Kenosha’s annual Arbor Day observance, with memorial trees planted in their names at parks across the city. The Arbor Day commemorations will take place April 24 and will recognize John Hawley, Dr. Paul Capelli, William “Bill” Rice Jr. and

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Children Allegedly Watched as Kenosha Man Murdered Wife; DA Files Homicide Charge Within Hours

Marckus L.A. Plaza, 33, of Kenosha (Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office)Crime Scene (Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye) Warning: The details in this case are disturbing and may be graphic for some readers. KENOSHA, Wis. — District Attorney Xavier Solis and his team worked quickly with Kenosha police Wednesday to file a homicide charge and secure an arrest warrant within hours of Makayla Marie Rutka

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Walworth Judge Assigned To Ortiz John Doe as Deputy, or County, Retains Two Lawyers

Racine County Deputy Emil Ortiz, 37, of Somers (Mugshot)FLOCK Image Illegally Obtained by Ortiz KENOSHA, Wis. — The John Doe petition filed by Kenosha County Eye publisher Kevin Mathewson against Racine County Sheriff’s Deputy Emil Ortiz continues to move forward, with Chief Judge Wynne P. Lautenberg now assigning a Walworth County judge to oversee the case and Ortiz formally hiring two attorneys. You

In Unusual Move, Sister, Mother and Attorney Reach Out to Kenosha County Eye About Salem Woman Who is in “Deep Shit”

KENOSHA, Wis. — In an unusual development following charges filed against Salem woman Savannah Lee Burm, both Burm’s sister and Burm’s attorney contacted Kenosha County Eye after the outlet published a story detailing allegations that Burm helped accused attempted homicide suspect Jake C. Wenzel avoid capture. Burm, 29, was charged on Nov. 26 with Straw Purchasing of a Firearm, Harboring or Aiding a

Manhunt Underway for Kenosha Man Accused of Murdering His Wife After Bargain Bail Billy Denied Her Restraining Order Weeks Earlier

KENOSHA, Wis. — Kenosha police have not officially confirmed the identity of the victim in Tuesday morning’s apparent homicide near 75th Street and 22nd Avenue, but sources indicate the victim is seemingly Makayla Marie Rutka Plaza, 28. The suspect is her estranged husband, 33-year-old Marckus L.A. Plaza, who remained the subject of a massive manhunt as of publication. Police were initially called to

Kenosha County DA Xavier Solis Owes $8,000 in Back Taxes, Addresses Lien: ‘I’m Only Human’

KENOSHA, Wis. — Wisconsin Circuit Court records filed early Tuesday morning show the state Department of Revenue filed a delinquent income tax warrant against Solis in Kenosha County Circuit Court, case number 2026TW000318. The warrant, which carries the force of a civil judgment, reflects $8,024 in unpaid income taxes, $2,873.98 in penalties, and $2,710.60 in accrued interest, a total of $13,608.58. The underlying

Supreme Court Ruling Puts Kenosha Conversion Therapy Ban in Legal Jeopardy

KENOSHA, Wis. — A new U.S. Supreme Court ruling striking down a Colorado conversion therapy ban is likely to place the City of Kenosha’s own ordinance banning the practice on shaky constitutional ground. On Tuesday, the nation’s highest court ruled 8-1 that Colorado’s law banning licensed therapists from providing conversion therapy to minors violated the First Amendment because it restricted speech based on

Nearly 49 Years After Ralph Gianoli Was Found Beaten and Strangled in His Home, Kenosha Police Say DNA Helped Identify Suspect

KENOSHA, Wis. — Nearly 49 years after Ralph Ambrose Gianoli was found beaten and strangled to death inside his home at 5310 25th Ave., Kenosha police on Tuesday publicly laid out how preserved evidence, modern DNA testing and years of renewed investigative work led to the arrest of a Tennessee man in one of the city’s oldest unsolved homicide cases. Police say James

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Pleasant Prairie Couple Charged With Drugs Months After Child Abuse Investigation; Man Also Faces New Felony Bail Jumping Charge

Kevin S. Hladilek, 41, and Candice D. Hladilek, 39, both of Pleasant Prairie(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. — A Pleasant Prairie husband and wife who came under investigation last year after allegations of child abuse in their home are now both facing drug charges, while the husband is also accused of violating the terms of his felony bond. Candice D. Hladilek

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Kenosha Man Accused of Leading Police on 70 MPH Chase Through City Held on $25,000 Cash Bail

Johntay M. Pleasant, 26, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha man accused of leading police on a high-speed chase through residential streets early Tuesday morning was ordered held on a $25,000 cash bail during his initial appearance Tuesday before Court Commissioner William Michel II. Johntay M. Pleasant, 26, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in to

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