(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
TWIN LAKES, Wis. — In a stunning courtroom moment Tuesday, a Twin Lakes man accused of possessing multiple illegal videos involving children was released on a signature bond after the Kenosha County District Attorney’s Office requested a $10,000 cash bail. The decision by Court Commissioner William Michel II drew audible reactions from the gallery, as Michel reportedly shouted at the prosecutor before refusing to impose any cash requirement.
(Yearbook)
Jason A. Kotarba, 17, of Twin Lakes, was charged in Kenosha County Circuit Court with five counts of possession of child pornography, each a Class I felony. If convicted on all counts, he faces up to 17½ years in prison and $50,000 in fines. According to the criminal complaint, Kotarba said “3 to 10 year-olds are the hottest,” but “no babies though, their crying is annoying.”
According to the criminal complaint, Twin Lakes Police Detective Austin Sobczak began investigating Kotarba after receiving two reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The reports indicated that an account on the chat platform Discord, using the handle “switchbladefacefuck” and the email address [email protected], had uploaded videos that appeared to show the exploitation of minors. The IP address used for the uploads was traced to Kotarba’s residence on Lance Drive in Twin Lakes.
Police executed a search warrant in July, seizing multiple electronic devices from the apartment shared by Kotarba and his mother. Investigators allege that Kotarba’s messages on Discord showed him exchanging explicit files and discussing inappropriate material. When interviewed, he admitted to having adult content on his school-issued Chromebook but denied that any of it was illegal.
The DA’s office argued for a $10,000 cash bail at Tuesday’s initial appearance, citing the seriousness of the charges and the disturbing nature of the allegations. But in an unexpected move, Court Commissioner Michel rejected the request and ordered Kotarba released without posting any cash. Several courtroom attendees said Michel raised his voice at the prosecutor before issuing the decision. It remains unclear whether Judge Chad Kerkman, who previously handled earlier matters in the case, had any influence on Tuesday’s ruling, though some in attendance speculated that Kerkman may have directed the release.
[email protected] and [email protected]
Kotarba is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing on November 4.
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72 Responses
Michel’s refusal to impose even minimal bail, and his outburst toward the prosecutor in open court shows not just how poor his judgment is, but a stunning disregard for community safety and for the children who are exploited in these crimes. The courtroom should protect the innocent, not comfort the accused. What a slap in the face to parents and all decent people everywhere.
Yes, he needs to reported the same as Kerkman!!!
Kerkman…again that name in the news. Not only racist connotations…nownsoft on paedo
I go to Wilmot Jason is friends with kerkmans son so hopefully this helps.
Just wanted to say, I have been going to school with Kerkmans’ son since we were in 4K. He was nowhere near friends with this guy and doesn’t think he should be brought into this. Also he is in college and is not even close to being in contact with him
I go to Wilmot Jason is friends with kerkmans son so hopefully this helps.
No, you don’t, Matthew. Also, its Kerkman’s daughter now. She transitioned.
Ermmmmmm actually, i just saw them last week togerher kissing in the lunch room with everybody watching. get owned liberal. like trump says. “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”❤️❤️❤️
5 counts of child porn and only a 17 year old’s signature?
He ought to be ashamed of himself!
Maybe him and kerkman got a little somethin somethin’ going on🫶
This is why you shouldn’t have kids at 19. The “mother” does not parent this guy at all. And wtf doesn’t the school have any filtering programs on their laptops?! They are just as complicit imo
The school does have filtering programs, you have to go to extreme measures in order to access even a tutorial on how to build a bird-feeder on youtube.
The computers do but people find ways around it all the time, just never gotten this bad
As a student who goes to wilmot we do and we have for a while he found a way around it and bypassed it
Well that’s Twin Lakes for you. If it was a traffic offense they throw the book at you. Everything else is shrugged off.
This very disturbing, I thought micels was one of the good ones but obviously following Kerkman’s orders. This needs to stop we need to get the toxic officals out asap
Wacked out Dem liberal who should be jailed with Jerkman. …..shameful actions but shouldn’t expect anything normal from either one
Because only liberals do these things. Republicans walk on water.
Everyone judging this kid and nobody has once thought that maybe he was abused?
My daughter goes to school with him and had classes with him freshman year and she said every kid would pick on him.
She doesn’t feel threatened because he is attending school. She says innocent until proven guilty.
Just because he was “abused” doesn’t mean he should have child pornography on his computer???
People with child porn and say, “3 to 10 year olds are the hottest” deserves pitty?…not so sure about that. Just because someone was abused does NOT turn them into a pedophile! He needs help for sure but bare in mind tha this kind of SICK can not be fixed!!! And I know this kid so….
He literally said he prefers 3-11 year olds because babies cry too much. Are you defending this?!
because “this kid” was jerking off in the bathroom on the school Chromebook and was most likely child porn so yeah innocent until proven guilty we’ll see on November 4th.
No excuse for CP. None. Its absurd how he can still go to Wilmot
I am a student and just because this man was picked on does not give him a right to look at little kids this is pathetic no one was even notified there was a man with 5 pending felony’s no call or text from the school great work Wilmot you did it again
Hmmm and we wonder why we dont want Karen’s in the world you dont know him im so scared to even step foot near school grounds and im a freshman hes disgusting and weird he finds it enjoyable and its disgusting so dont say hes innocent because he knows he ain’t and hes been to a mental hospital multiple times last time he was there he went by lexi hes insane and needs to be taught a lesson
Why is the kid allowed back in school, this is unacceptable. He should be on house arrest pending the court date. Not back at school like nothing happened
I was thinking the exact same thing.
He has an ankle monitor so he’s on some sort of house arrest, unsure if its related or not.
Somebody please kick the shit out of that kid….
people have talked about it all day
Here’s whats ironic. The suspect is 17 years old…considered an adult in most court cases and treated that way. Except in this case…since he is under 18 the violations are Class I felonies. If he was over 18 they would be Class D (more serious). See WSS 948.12 (3). What is true about this is that we don’t know the entire story. It still is pretty sick
He was charged with Class D felonies.
Yes, he is being charged with 5 counts of 948.12(1m) / Possession of Child Pornography / Felony D
This kid has had a police record since grade school of violence and terror as young as 4th and 5th graders. He is violent and sick and has zero emotions. I said back then, one day we will read about this kids in the news…..here we are. His eyes are black holes.
I completely agree I’ve been going to school with him all of my time at Wilmot and he’s always tried to fight, or harass me.
The fact they don’t hold him on cash bail just shows how poor the system works. Judge Kerkman should resign immediately because not only did he release with just a signature, he argued and raised his voice. I go to the school this kid went to and am disgusted to see this. The school failed for not monitoring it well enough and the system failed for letting him out. What a shame.
He goes to my school, oh hell nah.
Michel pushing it, and the judges, who can tell him what to do regarding banning the media, don’t seem to give a damn about this ridiculous low-bond history. One day, someone released on a signature bond will reoffend, and that will not only upset the family but also the People. Robes, you’re reading this outlet every day, what are you doing about it?
jerking jason going away for a very long time keep this man behind bars
This is Jerking Jason? Well, Im not surpised.
This kid doesn’t deserve anything less than 30 years. 5 counts for 17 years is ridiculous. I went to middle school and still go to school with this kid, he is a terrible person who has, and I don’t think he deserves to even step out of prison once he enters.
My kid goes to school with him, and just called me to let me know that he was in school today. I haven’t received any communication from the school, and I’m sure they must be aware. Not sure what their obligations are in this situation.
Same here. My junior daughter let me know today what happened and that he was at school. With ZERO communication from the school on the issue. There is some explaining to do. Also, this boy’s conditions include “No use of electronics capable of internet access. No internet use at all.” How is that possible when the school uses Chromebooks for everything?
It’s even more disgusting that Wilmot Union High School is letting him attend school with all the other children. He should be sitting in a cell awaiting his court date.
Were ALL sliming jason Tommorow right guys
Yessss
i go to school with this kid and lets just say, im not surprised one bit, he was caught this past school year, masterbaiting in the school bathroom.
oh lord. My kid mentioned this to me last year. Ridiculous.
I go to school with him and he doesn’t seem to be faced by it at all, he’s asting like he didn’t do anything wrong, everybody thinks he shouldn’t even be here, everyone here is completely disgusted, and I’m especially concerned because a lot of my friends have siblings in the 10 and younger age range and live less than 10 minutes from him
About damn time Jerking Jason went behind bars, bastard had it coming.
jerking jason is the most disgusting person i’ve ever encountered. i went to school with him, after i found out he was jerking off in our school bathrooms i know wilmot was fucked. and all the higher ups and principals don’t do ANYTHING about it.
This judge is ridiculous. He seems to love going against the prosecutions recommendations for bond. Either going below recommended bond or just out right giving signature bond. Going from being a lawyer . To now being a sitting judge with a little power he will do what he wants. Thats my assumption. Could be wrong. But he seems to do it alot.
Wtf flint lockwood doing in the comments😭
He’s chillin
I go to school with him and personally I’m scared. If the school allows him back he will get a lot of things said to him by other kids and who knows how he will react. He has a past of aggression and anger issues…
Why the hell is this scum being allowed back in school let alone out in public?
What’s even worse, All kids know about this pis and what he is about.
How is it even possible for any student to look up and view any kind of porn on school computers?
This Michel clown needs to be booted , gone out of a job.
Put this pos behind bars for decades and never let him back in schools any where.
As a female junior at Wilmot high school, I am genuinely in fear for not only myself, but also for others in my grade and the rest of my community. The fact that “Jerking” Jason’s antics have been confirmed to be reported and known by administrators since his freshman year and yet nothing has been done or prevented is absolutely disgusting. There is no reason for this beast to be roaming the halls freely with no escort, in reach of young girls like myself.
Relax, you’re too old for him
Cucks and pedo’s have each other’s backs
Wilmot upper staff are all not do not anything about this su they can let a predator inside the school who else will they allow?? im scared i dont even wanna go to school tomorrow this shit sickens me to the core im fucking disgusted mrs bender dosenr care what happens in this school
Yasssss I agreee u go girl
i had the unfortunate experience of dating him. he was grooming me the entire time and i didn’t even realise it until after i broke up with him. i lost my best friend, my confidence, and my emotional stability because of him, only one of those three things have i gained back. he is and will always be a terrible person. it makes me sick to see that he was let off with nothing more than a signature. he deserves way more than seventeen years.
its so sick how the judge let him off with just a signature and is letting him back into his hurtful habits. the fact that the wilmot administration is able to be okay with bringing back someone like him into the school after something this serious occurs, without informing any parents or students, is seriously messed up. theyve known about him being creepy since he was caught jerking it in the bathroom freshman year!! three years later and hes caught with child porn, disgusting
Must be friends with the Kmiec boy. They both seem to like looking at children. Not surprised attorney ted represented her in her OWI case. Garbage sticks with garbage.
Welcome to wilmot… the place where your allowed to publicly say you are attracted to little kids and still allowed at school but if my friend was in a bathroom stall with me helping me fix my bra strap BAM!!! immediate suspension all because I don’t wanna expose myself to the rest of the people in the bathroom!
Wait this is illegal?
Screw this fuck ass school “speak up speak out” mf people have been speaking about jason for YEARS and the higher ups haven’t done shit! It actually makes me sorrowful and pissed off, wdym I’m going to the school where a basically grown ass man was “accused” of having and giving child porn to other people?! Wdym you’re letting grown ass man go to MY school when he threaten to shoot up the school. Wilmot Union High School does not care about the safety of the kids that go here. They can suspend you for vaping, shoulder checking someone, for being in the same stall as your friend because you needed help with your bra strap. But this sick crooked pathetic waste of space “Man” can get away with adult porn on his school chrome-book, jerking off in the bathroom, threatening the school, having an ankle monitor and meanwhile the school fucking knows why.. and they let him come to this school. The higher ups should be ashamed, embarrassed , and absolutely guilty. This is pathetic that that waste of space is allowed in this school. Wilmot.. I think it’s time you face reality and just because you have money and your wife has money doesn’t mean your untouchable. You sit in that chair of yours and you look around your office and your proud, well. The only thing you should be “proud” of.. is that you still work at wilmot, that you make decisions at wilmot. You are so fucking lucky because if it was up to me. I’d go back to witch trails, but for witches. Instead, people like YOU( yk who i’m talking about Kreil.) and that sick motherfucker. If this was the olden days you would be fucked. So if Wilmot continues this , I can almost guarantee that the children here will be going to a different school. You will lose money. Maybe then you’d understand what the real world is like, besides Salem, and twin lakes.
Period 🤏
I went off girll
Exactly 💯 Back in the 70″s I got suspended for smoking a cigarette in the girl’s bathroom. For 3 day’s. It’s disgusting he’s not suspended indefinitely.