(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
KENOSHA, Wis. — A 30-year-old homeless man is facing criminal charges after allegedly punching his elderly mother in the head during a gas station confrontation early Tuesday morning, according to a criminal complaint filed in Kenosha County Circuit Court.
Michael William Joseph Sindelar was formally charged on Wednesday with one count of felony physical abuse of an elder person—an act of domestic abuse—and one count of misdemeanor bail jumping. At his initial court appearance, Court Commissioner William Michel II set bail at $1,000 cash. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 29.
Michael Sindelar, 30
(Kenosha Sheriff)
The incident reportedly occurred around 4:45 a.m. on May 20. According to police, Sindelar had been sleeping in his mother’s vehicle near the emergency room entrance of Aurora Medical Center. At approximately 4:30 a.m., he called her to report the car had run out of gas.
Although Sindelar is not allowed at her residence due to a previous incident with another family member, she agreed to help. She used a different vehicle to pick him up and drive him to the Shell gas station at 11748 75th Street in Kenosha. That’s where the confrontation took place.
While she remained seated inside the vehicle at the gas pumps, the two began arguing. According to the complaint, Sindelar allegedly grabbed her by the coat and punched her in the right side of the head with a closed fist. She later told police that the blow caused immediate pain. Officers reported observing a visible bump on her head, which she attributed to the punch. She completed a written witness statement and signed a 72-hour no-contact order against him.
Kenosha police located Sindelar at the gas station shortly after the altercation. When questioned by an officer, he denied having any kind of physical dispute with his mother. However, during his transport to the Kenosha County Jail, officers observed that Sindelar’s emotional state fluctuated—he alternated between angry outbursts and crying. At one point, he admitted that an argument had taken place but continued to deny striking her.
Officers concluded that Sindelar was the predominant aggressor and placed him under arrest. Further investigation revealed that Sindelar was already out on bond in a separate criminal case. Court records show that he had been charged in December 2024 with misdemeanor criminal damage to property and two counts of disorderly conduct in case number 24CM1724. He had been released on a $500 signature bond, which included the standard condition that he not commit any new crimes.
The new charges could carry serious consequences. The felony count of physical abuse of an elder person carries a maximum penalty of six years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The misdemeanor bail jumping charge carries up to nine months in jail and another $10,000 fine.
If convicted, the court would also impose a domestic abuse assessment under Wisconsin law due to the nature of the offense.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Sindelar remained in custody at the Kenosha County Jail.
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