Kenosha Homicide Suspect Has Long Criminal History, Lenient Treatment

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Justin L. Tercek (41) Of Kenosha
(Mugshots Courtesy Kenosha County Sheriff)

Kenosha County Eye took a dive into the criminal past of homicide suspect Justin L. Tercek, 41, of Kenosha. Tercek has been charged in the February 3 brutal stabbing of Andrew D. Pfannkuche. This isn’t Tercek’s first run-in with the law. He’s a convicted felon that has had very lenient treatment from past judges and prosecutors.

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Past Offenses and Legal History

Tercek’s legal troubles date back more than a decade. On November 19, 2007, Tercek was charged with Possession of a Machine Gun, Possession of THC, and two counts of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Then-Deputy District Attorney Michael Graveley dismissed all but the gun charge and recommended a fine.

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According to the criminal complaint, police responded to a call about an unconscious male at Tercek’s residence. Officers found Tercek unresponsive on the floor, with a strong odor of marijuana present in the apartment. A search revealed multiple loaded firearms, drug paraphernalia, and an MP40 German submachine gun in full-auto mode, leading to his felony gun charge.

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On May 10, 2020, Tercek was charged with Domestic Battery, Domestic Abuse Disorderly Conduct, and Carrying a Concealed Knife. Then-Assistant District Attorney Carli McNeil dismissed the weapons charge and domestic abuse charge and recommended probation.

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According to the criminal complaint, Tercek allegedly assaulted his wife, during a heated altercation, punching her multiple times and forcibly removing their child from her vehicle. Witnesses reported seeing visible injuries on his wife, leading to her hospitalization. Officers later found a concealed knife on Tercek during their investigation.

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Repeated Patterns of Violence and Drug Use

On December 13, 2024, Tercek was charged with Carrying a Concealed Knife and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Assistant District Attorney Tim Martin dismissed the drug charge and asked for time served, which was 48 days.

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According to the criminal complaint, police responded to a 911 call where a male voice was heard yelling for help before the call disconnected. Upon arrival, officers found Tercek in a paranoid state, claiming unknown individuals were trying to kill him. A frisk revealed he was carrying multiple knives, and a search uncovered a glass pipe with burnt residue. His mother later confirmed his regular methamphetamine use.

A Justice System Under Scrutiny

With Tercek now charged with homicide, concerns are mounting over whether prior leniency from the judicial system may have enabled his continued criminal behavior. Despite repeated encounters with law enforcement involving weapons, drugs, and violent offenses, Tercek was consistently given minimal consequences.

The February 3 murder of Andrew D. Pfannkuche has reignited discussions about sentencing practices and prosecutorial discretion in Kenosha County. As the case moves forward, many will be watching closely to see whether this time, justice will be served.

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  1. It is unbelievable how many of these scumbags get a signature bond, and a slap on the wrist so many times. The poor victim was a victim of an incompetent criminal justice system. The police would arrest and ask for charges, the DAs office would baby these people so they can commit more crimes.

    11
  2. Kevin please call the balls and strikes fairly. Under DA Solis (R) this violent criminal with a history of knife crimes was recommended to be let out of jail after 48 days, given his weapon only to go out and kill someone.

    Kevin please post the plea deal and all the other documents you can. I’m sure that the presentence report referenced his mental issues. I think your story referenced this as well. Why let him out after 48 days DA SOLIS (R)??

    1. 48 days for carrying a concealed knife is almost the maximum. This is a crime that many people believe should not even be illegal. That said, the decision was made before the new DA took office

      6
      1
      1. But carrying a knife while freaking out on meth apparently don’t go very well together,…as in the tragic case we see now before us.

      2. Easy for you to say, you are not a family member of the deceased. This man should never have been out on the streets. Whatever happened to the 3 strike rule? My cousin did not deserve to die senselessly because he bought a house.

  3. “On May 10, 2020, Tercek was charged with Domestic Battery, Domestic Abuse Disorderly Conduct, and Carrying a Concealed Knife. Then-Assistant District Attorney Carli McNeil dismissed the weapons charge and domestic abuse charge and recommended probation.”
    A Soft on Crime Liberal Prosecutor contributed to the murder Pfannkuche. I hope Kenosha never sees McNeil again.

  4. White make defendant
    Pllus
    Only abuse towards wife
    Equals
    No jail time

    Doesn’t matter who the judge, prosecutor, or DA is.

    Due to the fact that rich (landowners) white men held all the power in this nation for over 3/4 off the time the US existed, these types of beliefs are so ingrained in our society, we haven’t even begun to erode them and it’s only going backwards now.

    Since its inception this nation has held the beliefs that women and children are property first owned by father then husband for women, sons hold slim hope of escaping ownership at legal age.

    The wealthy white men don’t care what the hungry masses of males do as long as they can keep them enslaved to do their work to profit them. Throwing them the bone of owning their women and children being allowed to beat them is nothing to them.

    Same beliefs that all men have used since organized religions that’s why they had that bs written into scripture. All about power.

    We prove daily that animals have more compassion ands integrity then the human race can even understand.

  5. I don’t know much about this other than what I read here, but this looks like a case of a person freaking out on meth and doing something horrible that he will probably regret for the rest of his life, which will be spent in prison.

    2
    1
    1. We need to stop putting these liberal DA’s and judges in office. I’m tired of seeing these criminals get a slap on the wrist, only to do another crime in the future! We need to go back to the TOUGH LOVE punishment when someone breaks the law, especially these career criminals! Do better Kenosha justice system!

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