(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
KENOSHA, Wis. — A Georgia man caught behind the wheel of a stolen pickup truck with counterfeit vehicle identification numbers appeared in Kenosha County intake court Thursday, where a prosecutor described the case as highly suspicious and raised concerns about flight risk.
Oscar Fabin Rivera-Hernandez, 37, of Alpharetta, Georgia, faces three charges: operating a vehicle without the owner’s consent, altering or removing a VIN, and obstructing an officer. If convicted, he faces over 10 years in prison.
Assistant District Attorney Daniel Tombasco asked the court to impose a $5,000 cash bail, citing Rivera-Hernandez’s lack of ties to Kenosha County, a prior criminal history in Georgia, and the circumstances of the stop. “There’s really no ties to Kenosha County,” Tombasco said. “There’s a significant amount of exposure in this matter… very suspicious facts that give the state significant pause.”
Deputies encountered Rivera-Hernandez around 3:30 a.m. on May 11 behind the Ashley Furniture store in the Village of Bristol—an area close to multiple auto dealerships that have been targeted in recent overnight thefts. The vehicle, a white GMC Sierra with a Georgia dealer plate, had pulled into a nearby gas station. Rivera-Hernandez told deputies he was looking for a hotel, despite several being clearly visible in the immediate area.
Deputies found tools in the vehicle consistent with burglary, including bolt cutters, gloves, screwdrivers, and razor blades. Multiple counterfeit VIN stickers were located, and the original VIN had been ground off. A later investigation confirmed the truck was stolen.
Tombasco also noted Rivera-Hernandez’s criminal record, which includes a 2018 OWI and a 2019 conviction for filing a false report of a crime.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Defense attorney John Ward, a failed candidate for judge, argued for reinstating a $2,500 bond previously set in a related case. He called the charges minor and emphasized that Rivera-Hernandez had voluntarily appeared for a prior hearing. Ward then launched into an off-topic argument that left the courtroom visibly bewildered.
“He’s a Hispanic individual… Immigration is bragging about how many people they’re arresting and deporting based on suspicion,” Ward said, referencing a recent court order directed at President Donald Trump’s administration. The remark appeared to confuse nearly everyone in the courtroom, as it had no apparent bearing on the charges or facts of the case. His comments seemed to be political in nature and critical of the 47th president.
Commissioner William Michel II ultimately ordered $4,000 cash bail and prohibited Rivera-Hernandez from contacting co-defendant Ryan Pedesclaux. A preliminary hearing is set for May 30. Rivera-Hernandez remains in custody.
.
.
.
2 Responses
His lawyer is an idiot!
DEPORT!!!!!