KENOSHA, Wis. — Kenosha Police Chief Patrick Patton fired Officer Lea Colon last Tuesday after her third arrest for operating while intoxicated, a decision that underscores the seriousness of her actions — even though Wisconsin law and prosecutorial failures meant he technically didn’t have to let her go.
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KENOSHA, Wis. — Kenosha Police Chief Patrick Patton has been selected by Mayor David Bogdala to become the next City Administrator for the City of Kenosha, according to a source within City Hall. The appointment is subject to approval by the Kenosha Common Council, which is expected to approve the selection. Patton would replace longtime City Administrator John Morrissey, who announced earlier this
KENOSHA, Wis. — A 16-year-old accused of bringing a handgun into the corn maze at Jerry Smith Pumpkin Farm, one of Kenosha County’s most beloved family destinations, has been identified by Kenosha County Eye as Jose Emanuel Cruz. The teenager was detained Friday evening, October 9, 2026, after security personnel reported a possible armed individual inside the popular attraction. Deputies ultimately recovered an
KENOSHA, Wis. — Setting bail for defendants accused of violent crimes or sexual assaults, especially those involving children, is among the most consequential decisions made in a courtroom. Get it wrong, and innocent people can be hurt or killed. Kenosha County Eye has repeatedly criticized Court Commissioner Daniel “Catch &
Lee A. Campbell III, 28, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. – A 28-year-old Kenosha man accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl at a Pleasant Prairie beach after allegedly telling her he had been watching her since she was 10 years old was arrested Monday on a warrant
PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. — The Pleasant Prairie Police Department has a new four-legged crime fighter, and her specialty is finding electronic devices that criminals may try to hide. K-9 Kai, a two-year-old English Labrador retriever, was officially welcomed into the department during Monday night’s Village Board meeting on October 12,
Jacob James Sheedlo, 22, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. – A 22-year-old Kenosha man is facing four serious felony charges after police say he admitted to sexually assaulting two relatives approximately nine years ago, when the alleged victims were as young as five years old. Jacob James Sheedlo,
Jesse P. Miller, 37, of Oak Creek(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) WHEATLAND, Wis. — A 37-year-old Oak Creek man who allegedly admitted using methamphetamine and the powerful psychedelic drug DMT, claimed he was “the chosen one,” fought Kenosha County Sheriff’s deputies over imaginary demons inside a squad car, and damaged a
Suril B. Patel, 55, of Richmond, Illinois(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A 55-year-old Richmond, Illinois, man is facing two criminal misdemeanor charges after authorities say he nearly struck a Kenosha County Sheriff’s deputy head-on while driving approximately 80 mph, then was discovered with a loaded handgun and 12
KENOSHA, Wis. — Kenosha Police Chief Patrick Patton has been selected by Mayor David Bogdala to become the next City Administrator for the City of Kenosha, according to a source within City Hall. The appointment is subject to approval by the Kenosha Common Council, which is expected to approve the selection. Patton would replace longtime City Administrator John Morrissey, who announced earlier this
KENOSHA, Wis. — A 16-year-old accused of bringing a handgun into the corn maze at Jerry Smith Pumpkin Farm, one of Kenosha County’s most beloved family destinations, has been identified by Kenosha County Eye as Jose Emanuel Cruz. The teenager was detained Friday evening, October 9, 2026, after security personnel reported a possible armed individual inside the popular attraction. Deputies ultimately recovered an
KENOSHA, Wis. — Setting bail for defendants accused of violent crimes or sexual assaults, especially those involving children, is among the most consequential decisions made in a courtroom. Get it wrong, and innocent people can be hurt or killed. Kenosha County Eye has repeatedly criticized Court Commissioner Daniel “Catch & Release” Kellum for releasing defendants accused of serious crimes on no-cash bail. This
Lee A. Campbell III, 28, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. – A 28-year-old Kenosha man accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl at a Pleasant Prairie beach after allegedly telling her he had been watching her since she was 10 years old was arrested Monday on a warrant issued three months ago. Lee A. Campbell III, 28, of Kenosha, appeared in
PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. — The Pleasant Prairie Police Department has a new four-legged crime fighter, and her specialty is finding electronic devices that criminals may try to hide. K-9 Kai, a two-year-old English Labrador retriever, was officially welcomed into the department during Monday night’s Village Board meeting on October 12, 2026. Kai will work alongside Detective Jim Hackney, helping investigators locate electronic evidence,
Jacob James Sheedlo, 22, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. – A 22-year-old Kenosha man is facing four serious felony charges after police say he admitted to sexually assaulting two relatives approximately nine years ago, when the alleged victims were as young as five years old. Jacob James Sheedlo, 22, of Kenosha, appeared in Kenosha County Circuit Court on Tuesday, October 13,
Jesse P. Miller, 37, of Oak Creek(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) WHEATLAND, Wis. — A 37-year-old Oak Creek man who allegedly admitted using methamphetamine and the powerful psychedelic drug DMT, claimed he was “the chosen one,” fought Kenosha County Sheriff’s deputies over imaginary demons inside a squad car, and damaged a fireworks store was charged Tuesday with four criminal offenses. Jesse P. Miller appeared
Suril B. Patel, 55, of Richmond, Illinois(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A 55-year-old Richmond, Illinois, man is facing two criminal misdemeanor charges after authorities say he nearly struck a Kenosha County Sheriff’s deputy head-on while driving approximately 80 mph, then was discovered with a loaded handgun and 12 miniature vodka bottles inside his SUV. Suril B. Patel was charged Tuesday, October
KENOSHA, Wis. — A chipped window, a police investigation involving questions about Mexican landscapers, an increasingly empty newsroom, and yet another move into a smaller office space. For the once-mighty Kenosha News, the signs of decline are becoming difficult to ignore. In May, Kenosha police responded to a complaint involving a damaged window at the newspaper’s Green Bay Road location. An officer approached
Kenosha Sheriff David W. Zoerner (D) and Former Deputy Austin J. Nehls KENOSHA, Wis. – A 32-year-old former Kenosha County Sheriff’s deputy who was sworn into office just last year was arrested Friday, October 9, 2026, for operating while intoxicated (OWI), according to Kenosha County Jail records. Austin James Nehls, of Kenosha, was booked into the jail wearing what is commonly called a
Former Sgt. Melvin Bean Jr.Kenosha Correctional Center 6353 14th Ave(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye) KENOSHA, Wis. — Newly obtained Wisconsin Department of Corrections investigative records confirm that former Kenosha Correctional Center Sgt. Melvin Bean Jr. was fired on March 2, 2026, after investigators determined he sexually harassed a female coworker, including unwanted physical contact, and misused his taxpayer-funded cellphone for personal
Timothy Robert Barden, 54, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Residents of the Allendale neighborhood may have been surprised Friday when officers with the Kenosha Police Department’s Special Investigations Unit executed a search warrant at a home on Third Avenue. What began as a complaint about marijuana plants growing in a backyard turned into a major drug investigation involving nearly 5.3
KENOSHA, Wis. — They are the unsung heroes of our community. They care for our parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and people living with disabilities. They often work long hours, providing essential care, companionship, and comfort to some of Kenosha County’s most vulnerable residents. Recently, those caregivers were the guests of honor at a special luncheon recognizing their contributions to the community. The Kenosha
WILMOT, Wis. — Holiday shoppers looking for unique gifts, handmade crafts, delicious treats and a chance to visit Santa Claus will have an opportunity to enjoy all of that and more when the Riverport Chorus hosts its annual Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Wilmot Union High School. The family-friendly event will feature more than 50 vendors, a popular bake
Eric James Rogers, 37, of Kenosha (Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office)Residence at 60th Avenue and 85th St in Pleasant Prairie (Photo by Incident Response) KENOSHA, Wis. – Eric James Rogers, 37, of Kenosha, was charged Monday with two felonies and three misdemeanors stemming from two separate incidents in Pleasant Prairie. Court Commissioner Daniel E. Kellum set a $10,000 cash bail Monday afternoon in the
KENOSHA, Wis. — For as long as most Kenosha residents can remember, there was one unmistakable sign that their water bill had arrived in the mail: a blue postcard. But over the past couple of months, those familiar postcards have disappeared, replaced by bulky envelopes containing full-page statements. The change has left some residents scratching their heads, particularly as they discover higher payment
Zachariah B. Pynaker, 26, of Lena, Wisconsin(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) TWIN LAKES, Wis. — Zachariah B. Pynaker, 26, of Lena, Wisconsin, faces more than 10 years behind bars after being charged Monday with six criminal offenses, including two felonies, stemming from an alleged violent attack on his girlfriend, who was approximately 38 weeks pregnant. Pynaker appeared before Kenosha County Court Commissioner Daniel E.
KENOSHA, Wis. – A juvenile was taken into custody Friday evening after witnesses spotted him handling a handgun inside the corn maze at Jerry Smith Pumpkin Farm in Kenosha County. The juvenile allegedly fled from security officers, discarded the firearm among the corn stalks, and was eventually apprehended while attempting to leave the property. Despite the discovery of a handgun, a 30-round magazine,
Mikhail Bolden, 19, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. – A 19-year-old Kenosha man accused of pointing a handgun directly at another student, making a threatening statement about the student’s mother, and later slapping him in the face was given no-cash bail Monday by Kenosha County Court Commissioner Daniel “Catch & Release” Kellum. Mikhail Bolden, 19, of Kenosha, appeared in court on
Jenay M. Howze, 33, of North Chicago, IL(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A 33-year-old North Chicago, Illinois, woman accused of driving drunk for a second time, this time with a toddler allegedly riding unrestrained in her vehicle, was released on $1,000 no-cash bail Monday by Kenosha County Court Commissioner Daniel “Catch & Release” Kellum. Kellum’s decision to require no money upfront,
TWIN LAKES, Wis. — Lithium-ion batteries charging for a remote-controlled electric airplane are suspected of causing a Sunday evening condominium fire in Twin Lakes that resulted in approximately $30,000 in damage and left the residence uninhabitable, according to Twin Lakes Fire/Rescue. Firefighters from four departments were dispatched at approximately 5:27 p.m. on Sunday, October 11, 2026, to the 500 block of Bayview Avenue
Journey Church(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye) KENOSHA, Wis. — A growing rebellion inside Journey Church has escalated into an extraordinary battle for control of one of Kenosha’s prominent churches, with 162 members signing a formal demand to vote on removing all seven members of its Board of Deacons following controversial leadership decisions, the firing of longtime Executive Pastor Jon Brown
KENOSHA, Wis. — A federal judge appointed by President Donald Trump has sanctioned a 38-year-old Kenosha man for repeatedly filing frivolous lawsuits that appeared designed to harass people involved in his child custody proceedings. U.S. District Judge Brett H. Ludwig issued two scathing orders Friday, October 9, 2026, against Mathiew Rae Fox, who was convicted of disorderly conduct in August after originally facing
KENOSHA, Wis. — A three-judge Wisconsin Court of Appeals panel has reversed two felony child abuse convictions and ordered a new trial after determining that liberal Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Jason A. Rossell (D) improperly prevented a defendant from presenting two legally recognized defenses to a jury. Wednesday’s decision represents a significant rebuke of Rossell’s handling of the case, finding that he
KENOSHA, Wis. — Kenosha Police Chief Patrick Patton has been selected by Mayor David Bogdala to become the next City Administrator for the City of Kenosha, according to a source within City Hall. The appointment is subject to approval by the Kenosha Common Council, which is expected to approve the selection. Patton would replace longtime City Administrator John Morrissey, who announced earlier this
KENOSHA, Wis. — A 16-year-old accused of bringing a handgun into the corn maze at Jerry Smith Pumpkin Farm, one of Kenosha County’s most beloved family destinations, has been identified by Kenosha County Eye as Jose Emanuel Cruz. The teenager was detained Friday evening, October 9, 2026, after security personnel reported a possible armed individual inside the popular attraction. Deputies ultimately recovered an
KENOSHA, Wis. — Setting bail for defendants accused of violent crimes or sexual assaults, especially those involving children, is among the most consequential decisions made in a courtroom. Get it wrong, and innocent people can be hurt or killed. Kenosha County Eye has repeatedly criticized Court Commissioner Daniel “Catch & Release” Kellum for releasing defendants accused of serious crimes on no-cash bail. This
Lee A. Campbell III, 28, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. – A 28-year-old Kenosha man accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl at a Pleasant Prairie beach after allegedly telling her he had been watching her since she was 10 years old was arrested Monday on a warrant issued three months ago. Lee A. Campbell III, 28, of Kenosha, appeared in
PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. — The Pleasant Prairie Police Department has a new four-legged crime fighter, and her specialty is finding electronic devices that criminals may try to hide. K-9 Kai, a two-year-old English Labrador retriever, was officially welcomed into the department during Monday night’s Village Board meeting on October 12, 2026. Kai will work alongside Detective Jim Hackney, helping investigators locate electronic evidence,
Jacob James Sheedlo, 22, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. – A 22-year-old Kenosha man is facing four serious felony charges after police say he admitted to sexually assaulting two relatives approximately nine years ago, when the alleged victims were as young as five years old. Jacob James Sheedlo, 22, of Kenosha, appeared in Kenosha County Circuit Court on Tuesday, October 13,
Jesse P. Miller, 37, of Oak Creek(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) WHEATLAND, Wis. — A 37-year-old Oak Creek man who allegedly admitted using methamphetamine and the powerful psychedelic drug DMT, claimed he was “the chosen one,” fought Kenosha County Sheriff’s deputies over imaginary demons inside a squad car, and damaged a fireworks store was charged Tuesday with four criminal offenses. Jesse P. Miller appeared
Suril B. Patel, 55, of Richmond, Illinois(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A 55-year-old Richmond, Illinois, man is facing two criminal misdemeanor charges after authorities say he nearly struck a Kenosha County Sheriff’s deputy head-on while driving approximately 80 mph, then was discovered with a loaded handgun and 12 miniature vodka bottles inside his SUV. Suril B. Patel was charged Tuesday, October
KENOSHA, Wis. — A chipped window, a police investigation involving questions about Mexican landscapers, an increasingly empty newsroom, and yet another move into a smaller office space. For the once-mighty Kenosha News, the signs of decline are becoming difficult to ignore. In May, Kenosha police responded to a complaint involving a damaged window at the newspaper’s Green Bay Road location. An officer approached
Kenosha Sheriff David W. Zoerner (D) and Former Deputy Austin J. Nehls KENOSHA, Wis. – A 32-year-old former Kenosha County Sheriff’s deputy who was sworn into office just last year was arrested Friday, October 9, 2026, for operating while intoxicated (OWI), according to Kenosha County Jail records. Austin James Nehls, of Kenosha, was booked into the jail wearing what is commonly called a
Former Sgt. Melvin Bean Jr.Kenosha Correctional Center 6353 14th Ave(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye) KENOSHA, Wis. — Newly obtained Wisconsin Department of Corrections investigative records confirm that former Kenosha Correctional Center Sgt. Melvin Bean Jr. was fired on March 2, 2026, after investigators determined he sexually harassed a female coworker, including unwanted physical contact, and misused his taxpayer-funded cellphone for personal
Timothy Robert Barden, 54, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Residents of the Allendale neighborhood may have been surprised Friday when officers with the Kenosha Police Department’s Special Investigations Unit executed a search warrant at a home on Third Avenue. What began as a complaint about marijuana plants growing in a backyard turned into a major drug investigation involving nearly 5.3
KENOSHA, Wis. — They are the unsung heroes of our community. They care for our parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and people living with disabilities. They often work long hours, providing essential care, companionship, and comfort to some of Kenosha County’s most vulnerable residents. Recently, those caregivers were the guests of honor at a special luncheon recognizing their contributions to the community. The Kenosha
WILMOT, Wis. — Holiday shoppers looking for unique gifts, handmade crafts, delicious treats and a chance to visit Santa Claus will have an opportunity to enjoy all of that and more when the Riverport Chorus hosts its annual Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Wilmot Union High School. The family-friendly event will feature more than 50 vendors, a popular bake
Eric James Rogers, 37, of Kenosha (Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office)Residence at 60th Avenue and 85th St in Pleasant Prairie (Photo by Incident Response) KENOSHA, Wis. – Eric James Rogers, 37, of Kenosha, was charged Monday with two felonies and three misdemeanors stemming from two separate incidents in Pleasant Prairie. Court Commissioner Daniel E. Kellum set a $10,000 cash bail Monday afternoon in the
KENOSHA, Wis. — For as long as most Kenosha residents can remember, there was one unmistakable sign that their water bill had arrived in the mail: a blue postcard. But over the past couple of months, those familiar postcards have disappeared, replaced by bulky envelopes containing full-page statements. The change has left some residents scratching their heads, particularly as they discover higher payment
52 Responses
Now people can see her true colors. She has quite the sordid history of blaming the men in her life of things they did not do.
She sure does.
I have 2nd owi facing jail time what the hell
Can you imagine how many times she has driven drunk and gotten away with it?
Put her in front of Jerkman, maybe they will be able to “work something out”
What a horrible example!
This lady is legit nuts, trust me. I can’t believe they even hired her as an officer! We all dodged a bullet here.
Crazy ass faked being pregnant
Was the baby daddy hot?
One wasn’t enough?!
I’ll keep checking the page. I presume Niccolai will have her hold my beer moment.
LMAO
This is a both an easy and hard situation. In reverse order:
There are situations where an officer has one OWI and has been hired after achieving demonstrated sobriety or has been retained after being convicted of an OWI after a disciplinary suspension, alcohol assessment, compliance with treatment and restoration of driving privileges. The latter is not common but has been done for critical supervisory officers because a road officer would need unrestricted driving privilege to do their jobs. With that out of the way…
The easy part is that a second offender should be history and a third offender is like…WTF.
It took 3 fucking times to be fired! WTF!
She wasn’t an officer when she received her first two
But they hired her anyway??
She was also fired from Glenview for lying. Big shocker.
Long history of domestic abuse with this one! She likes to then blame the men. Pathological liar and obviously has addiction demons.
Can’t believe Kenosha would hire some with this track record. Should’ve known better and seen the writing on the walls.
They’re scraping the bottom of the barrel.
Below is what a corrupt legal system looks like
Why did ADA Emily Gaertner take a dive in this case?
All I know is Colon should be currently facing an OWI 3rd and mandatory jail time. Instead she is facing another ticket.
This does not happen people.
“Kenosha County Case Number 2023CT000390 State of Wisconsin vs. Lea M. Colon
06-20-2024 Status conference Milisauskas, Anthony Keel, Kimberly
Additional text:
10:43 AM Defendant Lea M. Colon in court. Attorney John Thomas Bayer in court for Lea M. Colon. Attorney Emily K. Gaertner in court for State of Wisconsin. Court Reporter: Kimberly Keel. Clerk Dana A.
MINUTES:
Victim rights compliance.
Attorney Bayer advises that the Refusal was dismissed.
On State’s motion, this case is dismissed.”
We need more context to understand this because Wisconsin’s OWI law is convoluted. Start here:
First offense OWI is a civil offense.
Second offense within ten years is a crime.
Third and subsequent offenses in the defendant’s lifetime are crimes.
Now, if a defendant’s second offense is more than ten years from the first, then legally it’s a first offense so a person can have two first offenses. But it gets more head spinning.
Originally, an implied consent violation (refusal to take the test after an OWI arrest) was counted as a prior conviction. But the Wisconsin Supreme Court recently limited that due to a United States Supreme Court decision to narrow it to only SOME refusal cases.
And then some out-of-state convictions (most) count as priors. But not all especially if plea bargained down.
Bottom line: ADA Gaertner needs to explain what happened.
Great job Chief also great job to Tifton for being a outstanding officer, it’s not easy to do what you had to do, but it is the right thing to do, . thank you
for honoring Kenosha and taking this person off the streets. This is exactly what kpd and ksd need to do, no officer is above the law and should be held accountable.
An OWI doesn’t make her a bad cop. Maybe she has a drinking problem and needs some help, try that instead of firing her.
yes it does make her a bad cop , how many dui has she giving out and then, you can enforce the law and then break it yourself , you are held to a standard when you have the badge and need to set the example , so yes this does make her a bad cop !
Hearty support for Chief who did the right thing, although not the easy thing. Also, hurray to Tifton for being an outstanding officer. The right thing is often not easy to do. I’m proud of both!
Why did Patton hire her in the first place?
Like most PDs you need to reside within the STATE you support and within 15 miles of your district. WTH is she an ILLINOIS resident? She has no skin in the game??? WTH
Residency requirements are on a department to department basis. So that is not factual. Also, check public records. She wasn’t an Illinois resident.
Oh this is gold. Karma came out real quick on that one. Wonder if her fiancé is ready to bail yet. Won’t be long until she starts beating on him and trying to put false DV charges on him
THIS
If he’s not careful she’ll make him lose his job and pension. She has experience doing this.
SHE SURE DOES!! Honestly her poor ex and his family….
You mean the psycho stalker ex who repeatedly punched her? That ex?
Which one there’s too many to count…
I think you should read the comments above. Looks like she’s known for lying. Mentally unstable. With substance abuse issues. Not sure that anybody should believe any claim that this woman has made or does make in the future.
Nice try, she’s a nut case. No one believes her and rightfully so.
She was never “beat” just like she was never pregnant.
Her bf is a cop too?
A fireman
Her last bf was a cop
“…after a long stint as a Joint Services dispatcher.”
Ahhh, did the previous DA not want to charge her because it would have forced her out as a JS employee? Worse yet, would they have STILL kept her on? They do like people with domestic abuse/mental illness issues on their staff.
Was she dispatching while drunk?
Rumor has it she’s been bragging “I’ll just go back to dispatch” and I wouldn’t doubt if they hire her back.
I mean they are hiring
Yikes, clearly she has prob with decision making, not a good idea
Wowzerrs. Yet here I am thinking I couldn’t pass a background check…Cities finest more corrupt than little ol’ me.
Karma caught up to this one. Known liar and drunk. Should not have held this job. What an embarrassment to herself and family and the department. Heard she injured someone on her last dui. Lock her up and throw away the key
She most definitely got taken to pound town from the guys!
Come work for the DOC they will promote you for getting 3 DUI’s
SHE REALLY BE TRYING TO PLEAD NOT GUILTY
Horrible woman. Have witnessed her aggression and have physically pulled her off one of her exes myself, who then was arrested for assault. She was constantly in fights and threatening others, including me. Her father is an ex cop who has countless times gotten her out of DUI’s by turning officers away after she was called on. Since at least 2009 she has had serious issues with drinking and clearly hasn’t learned a single lesson. Lies, fights and performs to win over sympathy. The pain she caused my family, she deserves to be locked away for good. Whole family has bad reputation. It better not take ANOTHER life for justice to be served.