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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Christina L. Torchia, 33, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Christina L. Torchia, 33, of Kenosha, was charged Friday with first-degree intentional homicide in the 2022 death of her 6-year-old daughter, Layla Stahl, then appeared before Court Commissioner William Michel II, who set $1 million cash bail after prosecutors asked for $1.5 million. Layla Stahl, 6 Christina L. Torchia, 33, of
Shawn V. Litz, 55, and Allen E. Mullins, 66, of Pleasant PrairieAdrian J. Rios, 32, of Pleasant Prairie, and Stephen T. Hood [No Mugshot](Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. — Allen E. Mullins, 66, of Pleasant Prairie, Shawn V. Litz, 55, of Pleasant Prairie, Adrian J. Rios, 32, of Pleasant Prairie, Stephen T. Hood, 33, of Winthrop Harbor, Illinois, and others are
Kenosha Police(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye KENOSHA, Wis. — Carson Michael St., 17, pf Kenosha, was given $500 cash bail in each of two criminal cases Friday after being accused of chasing women with infants in their vehicle, threatening other people at Simmons Island and resisting officers.
KENOSHA, Wis. — Two Kenosha County sheriff’s deputies are being credited with saving the life of a 47-year-old Lake Geneva woman who appeared to be overdosing inside her vehicle at a Kwik Trip in December. Sarah Jean Busch, 47, of Lake Geneva, was charged Thursday with felony possession of narcotic
KENOSHA, Wis. — One office will be available on May 9th in the newly remodeled downtown legal building just two blocks from the Kenosha County Courthouse, offering a professional setting geared toward attorneys and other professionals who want to be close to the center of local legal activity. The remaining
KENOSHA, Wis. — Kenosha Police Captain James Beller will formally kick off his campaign for Kenosha County sheriff next week with a “Law & Order” themed event at the Brat Stop in Kenosha, where supporters will hear his plans for public safety, accountability, and the future of the Kenosha County
SOMERS, Wis. — A 60-year-old man was found dead Thursday morning near the Canadian Pacific railroad tracks near Washington Road in Somers after what investigators believe was a tragic train-related incident. According to the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to the area around 10:03 a.m. after a railroad
KENOSHA, Wis. — Kenosha firefighters were called to a residential fire Thursday evening at 2018 50th St., where crews entered the structure to battle the blaze for roughly 20 to 25 minutes before requesting a fire investigator and board-up assistance. Dispatch records show the call came in shortly before 6
Christina L. Torchia, 33, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Christina L. Torchia, 33, of Kenosha, was charged Friday with first-degree intentional homicide in the 2022 death of her 6-year-old daughter, Layla Stahl, then appeared before Court Commissioner William Michel II, who set $1 million cash bail after prosecutors asked for $1.5 million. Layla Stahl, 6 Christina L. Torchia, 33, of
Shawn V. Litz, 55, and Allen E. Mullins, 66, of Pleasant PrairieAdrian J. Rios, 32, of Pleasant Prairie, and Stephen T. Hood [No Mugshot](Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. — Allen E. Mullins, 66, of Pleasant Prairie, Shawn V. Litz, 55, of Pleasant Prairie, Adrian J. Rios, 32, of Pleasant Prairie, Stephen T. Hood, 33, of Winthrop Harbor, Illinois, and others are
Kenosha Police(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye KENOSHA, Wis. — Carson Michael St., 17, pf Kenosha, was given $500 cash bail in each of two criminal cases Friday after being accused of chasing women with infants in their vehicle, threatening other people at Simmons Island and resisting officers. Court Commissioner William “Bargain Bail Billy” Michel II set the bail amounts during
KENOSHA, Wis. — Two Kenosha County sheriff’s deputies are being credited with saving the life of a 47-year-old Lake Geneva woman who appeared to be overdosing inside her vehicle at a Kwik Trip in December. Sarah Jean Busch, 47, of Lake Geneva, was charged Thursday with felony possession of narcotic drugs along with misdemeanor counts of possession of cocaine, possession of a controlled
KENOSHA, Wis. — One office will be available on May 9th in the newly remodeled downtown legal building just two blocks from the Kenosha County Courthouse, offering a professional setting geared toward attorneys and other professionals who want to be close to the center of local legal activity. The remaining private office measures approximately 120 square feet and is available for $475 per
KENOSHA, Wis. — Kenosha Police Captain James Beller will formally kick off his campaign for Kenosha County sheriff next week with a “Law & Order” themed event at the Brat Stop in Kenosha, where supporters will hear his plans for public safety, accountability, and the future of the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office. The event is scheduled for Thursday, April 16 at 5:30 p.m.
SOMERS, Wis. — A 60-year-old man was found dead Thursday morning near the Canadian Pacific railroad tracks near Washington Road in Somers after what investigators believe was a tragic train-related incident. According to the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to the area around 10:03 a.m. after a railroad worker discovered an unresponsive man near the tracks. Deputies and rescue personnel arrived
KENOSHA, Wis. — Kenosha firefighters were called to a residential fire Thursday evening at 2018 50th St., where crews entered the structure to battle the blaze for roughly 20 to 25 minutes before requesting a fire investigator and board-up assistance. Dispatch records show the call came in shortly before 6 p.m. Truck 1, Engine 3, Engine 5, Engine 4, Med 4 and Battalion
Anthony Rosales, 18, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha man accused of leading police on a short pursuit through a residential neighborhood early Thursday morning was given a $5,000 cash bail by Court Commissioner William “Bargain Bail Billy” Michel II during an initial appearance Thursday afternoon. Anthony Rosales, 18, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in
Keithrick Lebranton-Apree Thompson, 32, of McComb, Mississippi(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A Mississippi man was sentenced Wednesday to 80 days of work release after pleading guilty to third-offense drunken driving in Kenosha County, more than six months after authorities say he tried to avoid arrest by switching seats with another person during a traffic stop on Interstate 94. Keithrick Lebranton-Apree Thompson,
Shawn D. Carroll, 50, of Genoa City(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) GENOA CITY, Wis. — Shawn D. Carroll, a 50-year-old Genoa City man accused of allowing a Twin Lakes home to be used as a drug house near a public park, was arrested Wednesday after previously failing to appear in court multiple times in the case. Shawn D. Carroll, 50, of Genoa City(Kenosha County
Cristian T. Gomez, 30, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha man accused of drunkenly crashing into a utility pole, knocking out power to nearby homes and then fleeing the scene was allowed to remain free Thursday after Court Commissioner William “Bargain Bail Billy” Michel II gave him no-cash bail. Cristian T. Gomez, 30, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You
KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha woman who works as a licensed therapist, and whose license is currently under investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, was hit with a five-count criminal complaint this week after a two-year campaign of social media defamation targeting Kenosha County Eye Editor Kevin Mathewson, court records show. Niccolai was also previously a foster mom. Jacqueline
KENOSHA, Wis. — A 35-year-old combat veteran died Tuesday morning after an apparent fall from the upper floors of the nine-story Dayton Residential Care building, located at 521 59th St. in downtown Kenosha. Police and fire personnel were dispatched to the area around 9:42 a.m. for a report of a man found behind the building. Initial dispatch traffic indicated the man was unconscious
Travon A. Prater, 22, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha man is accused of accidentally shooting his 4-year-old son while cleaning a handgun inside his apartment Tuesday afternoon, leaving the child with serious injuries that required emergency surgery and a helicopter flight to Children’s Wisconsin in Milwaukee. Travon A. Prater, 22, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be
Blake Arena, 39, of Minocqua(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A 39-year-old Minocqua man accused of obsessively stalking his ex-girlfriend, showing up repeatedly at her Kenosha yoga studio, and flooding her with calls and emails was ordered held on a $15,000 cash bail Wednesday by Court Commissioner William Michel II. Blake Arena, 39, of Minocqua(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged
Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye) TOWN OF WHEATLAND, Wis. — An Illinois man is wanted after prosecutors say he rear-ended a motorcycle with a car, left the injured rider bleeding in the roadway, and then fled the scene before deputies arrived. Court Commissioner William “Bargain Bail Billy” Michel II issued a $2,500 arrest warrant Wednesday for Eugenio
Kenosha Police Department(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye) KENOSHA, Wis. — Michael Andrew Mayer, 41, of Kenosha, was charged Wednesday with felony substantial battery after prosecutors say he shoved another man outside of FECs tavern last year, causing him to strike his head on the ground and suffer a fractured skull and brain bleed. Mayer was not taken into custody and
Richard P. Elliston Jr., 45, of Waukegan(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA COUNTY, Wis. — Richard P. Elliston Jr., a 45-year-old Waukegan, Illinois man, is now wanted after failing to appear in Kenosha County court Wednesday on allegations that he drove drunk with his 8-year-old son in the vehicle. Court Commissioner William Michel II authorized a $1,000 cash warrant for Elliston after he did
Matthew Sawyer, 66, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Matthew Sawyer, 66, of Kenosha, and Jayla M. Isenberg, 20, of Kenosha, were both charged Tuesday in connection with an alleged forged-check scheme involving Red River Energy, but only Sawyer is currently wanted by authorities. Isenberg was issued a summons and is due in court April 30, while Sawyer failed to appear
KENOSHA, Wis. — Newly obtained court transcripts show Makayla Rutka-Plaza, 28, appeared before Court Commissioner William “Bargain Bail Billy” Michel II less than two months before she was killed and begged for a restraining order against her estranged husband during what she described as a toxic and deteriorating divorce. Rutka-Plaza, who was later allegedly stabbed to death by Marckus Plaza inside the basement
SOMERS, Wis. — Somers voters overwhelmingly rejected the village’s fire department referendum Tuesday night, dealing a major political loss to liberal Village President George Stoner (D), the Somers Fire Union and village officials who aggressively campaigned for the tax increase. Unofficial results show 1,417 voters opposed the referendum, while 920 supported it. The measure failed by roughly 20 percentage points. The referendum would
KENOSHA, Wis. — Conservatives scored several major victories in Kenosha County’s spring election Tuesday night, although a number of liberal incumbents were able to hold onto their seats in county board, city council and school board races. One of the closest county board races of the night came in District 3, where Riki Tagliapietra defeated Annette M. Flynn 616 votes to 584 in
KENOSHA, Wis. — Someone helping oversee a public college’s budget and making decisions involving millions of taxpayer dollars would presumably have a clean employment history. But what if one of those board members had previously been accused by the State of Wisconsin of falsifying travel reimbursement records for personal financial gain? What if that person was actually the treasurer of the board? That
Christina L. Torchia, 33, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Christina L. Torchia, 33, of Kenosha, was charged Friday with first-degree intentional homicide in the 2022 death of her 6-year-old daughter, Layla Stahl, then appeared before Court Commissioner William Michel II, who set $1 million cash bail after prosecutors asked for $1.5 million. Layla Stahl, 6 Christina L. Torchia, 33, of
Shawn V. Litz, 55, and Allen E. Mullins, 66, of Pleasant PrairieAdrian J. Rios, 32, of Pleasant Prairie, and Stephen T. Hood [No Mugshot](Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. — Allen E. Mullins, 66, of Pleasant Prairie, Shawn V. Litz, 55, of Pleasant Prairie, Adrian J. Rios, 32, of Pleasant Prairie, Stephen T. Hood, 33, of Winthrop Harbor, Illinois, and others are
Kenosha Police(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye KENOSHA, Wis. — Carson Michael St., 17, pf Kenosha, was given $500 cash bail in each of two criminal cases Friday after being accused of chasing women with infants in their vehicle, threatening other people at Simmons Island and resisting officers. Court Commissioner William “Bargain Bail Billy” Michel II set the bail amounts during
KENOSHA, Wis. — Two Kenosha County sheriff’s deputies are being credited with saving the life of a 47-year-old Lake Geneva woman who appeared to be overdosing inside her vehicle at a Kwik Trip in December. Sarah Jean Busch, 47, of Lake Geneva, was charged Thursday with felony possession of narcotic drugs along with misdemeanor counts of possession of cocaine, possession of a controlled
KENOSHA, Wis. — One office will be available on May 9th in the newly remodeled downtown legal building just two blocks from the Kenosha County Courthouse, offering a professional setting geared toward attorneys and other professionals who want to be close to the center of local legal activity. The remaining private office measures approximately 120 square feet and is available for $475 per
KENOSHA, Wis. — Kenosha Police Captain James Beller will formally kick off his campaign for Kenosha County sheriff next week with a “Law & Order” themed event at the Brat Stop in Kenosha, where supporters will hear his plans for public safety, accountability, and the future of the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office. The event is scheduled for Thursday, April 16 at 5:30 p.m.
SOMERS, Wis. — A 60-year-old man was found dead Thursday morning near the Canadian Pacific railroad tracks near Washington Road in Somers after what investigators believe was a tragic train-related incident. According to the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to the area around 10:03 a.m. after a railroad worker discovered an unresponsive man near the tracks. Deputies and rescue personnel arrived
KENOSHA, Wis. — Kenosha firefighters were called to a residential fire Thursday evening at 2018 50th St., where crews entered the structure to battle the blaze for roughly 20 to 25 minutes before requesting a fire investigator and board-up assistance. Dispatch records show the call came in shortly before 6 p.m. Truck 1, Engine 3, Engine 5, Engine 4, Med 4 and Battalion
Anthony Rosales, 18, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha man accused of leading police on a short pursuit through a residential neighborhood early Thursday morning was given a $5,000 cash bail by Court Commissioner William “Bargain Bail Billy” Michel II during an initial appearance Thursday afternoon. Anthony Rosales, 18, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in
Keithrick Lebranton-Apree Thompson, 32, of McComb, Mississippi(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A Mississippi man was sentenced Wednesday to 80 days of work release after pleading guilty to third-offense drunken driving in Kenosha County, more than six months after authorities say he tried to avoid arrest by switching seats with another person during a traffic stop on Interstate 94. Keithrick Lebranton-Apree Thompson,
Shawn D. Carroll, 50, of Genoa City(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) GENOA CITY, Wis. — Shawn D. Carroll, a 50-year-old Genoa City man accused of allowing a Twin Lakes home to be used as a drug house near a public park, was arrested Wednesday after previously failing to appear in court multiple times in the case. Shawn D. Carroll, 50, of Genoa City(Kenosha County
Cristian T. Gomez, 30, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha man accused of drunkenly crashing into a utility pole, knocking out power to nearby homes and then fleeing the scene was allowed to remain free Thursday after Court Commissioner William “Bargain Bail Billy” Michel II gave him no-cash bail. Cristian T. Gomez, 30, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You
KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha woman who works as a licensed therapist, and whose license is currently under investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, was hit with a five-count criminal complaint this week after a two-year campaign of social media defamation targeting Kenosha County Eye Editor Kevin Mathewson, court records show. Niccolai was also previously a foster mom. Jacqueline
KENOSHA, Wis. — A 35-year-old combat veteran died Tuesday morning after an apparent fall from the upper floors of the nine-story Dayton Residential Care building, located at 521 59th St. in downtown Kenosha. Police and fire personnel were dispatched to the area around 9:42 a.m. for a report of a man found behind the building. Initial dispatch traffic indicated the man was unconscious
Travon A. Prater, 22, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha man is accused of accidentally shooting his 4-year-old son while cleaning a handgun inside his apartment Tuesday afternoon, leaving the child with serious injuries that required emergency surgery and a helicopter flight to Children’s Wisconsin in Milwaukee. Travon A. Prater, 22, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be
Blake Arena, 39, of Minocqua(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A 39-year-old Minocqua man accused of obsessively stalking his ex-girlfriend, showing up repeatedly at her Kenosha yoga studio, and flooding her with calls and emails was ordered held on a $15,000 cash bail Wednesday by Court Commissioner William Michel II. Blake Arena, 39, of Minocqua(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged
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.