Wilmot High School Reportedly Allowed Man Charged With Possessing Child Pornography To Attend Classes, Enraging Parents

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Wilmot Principal Rob Kreil [email protected] (Left)
Wilmot District Administrator Christy Weinstock [email protected] (Right)

WILMOT, Wis. — Less than 24 hours after being charged with five felony counts of possessing child pornography and released without posting a cent of bail, 17-year-old Jason A. Kotarba was reportedly allowed to attend classes Wednesday at Wilmot Union High School — a decision that has outraged parents, students, and community members. Kotarba, according to the criminal complaint, thinks “3-10 year-olds are the hottest…I don’t like babies, they cry too much.”

Principal Rob Kreil and District Administrator Christy Weinstock both confirmed awareness of the criminal charges, but according to parents contacted by Kenosha County Eye, permitted Kotarba to return to school. Neither Kreil nor Weinstock would speak to Kenosha County Eye despite multiple attempts for comment. The school board president and all other members also declined to respond.

Parents expressed shock and anger over reports that the administration allowed Kotarba to be on campus after the disturbing allegations were made public. The criminal complaint accuses him of using a Discord account to trade and view illegal videos involving minors. He faces up to 17½ years in prison if convicted on all counts.

Jason A. Kotarba, 17, of Twin Lakes
(Yearbook
)

The above is the only photo KCE has of Kotarba. Kerkman allowed him to bypass being booked and photographed and we couldn’t take a photo in court due to Kerkman’s unconstitutional ban on KCE photographing in intake court.

Parent Reactions

One mother, who has two children attending Wilmot High School, told KCE:

“As a parent of two high school students at Wilmot I think it’s sickening that they are allowing the student to be on campus. As I was speaking with a group of friends about this today, one of them did speak to the principal and she was told there are protocols and a plan in place for his safety. His safety?! What about all the other students in the building?!

It is 11:40 at night and we as parents still have not received any information from the school informing us about anything to help us feel safe about our children in school with a child who has been arrested for pending charges like those. My children will not be in attendance tomorrow and it’s unfortunate that these absences will count against them due to the school not keeping children safe.”

Parent Chynee Lewkowicz shared similar frustration, saying:

“My daughter just told me about this today! So beyond upset with the outcome! She will not be attending school tomorrow!”

Another parent, Tara Nichole, told KCE:

“My daughter goes to school here, also went to grade and middle school with him. She told me today he’s still at school with all of this going on. They need to do the right thing and remove him! He’s a predator. I’m in shock by the judge’s ruling allowing him out without bond, and rather than E-schooling he is in the building. So very disgusting. Tomorrow is going to be a walk-my-child-into-school day and demand answers.”

Judge Chad Kerkman (D) and Commissioner Bill Michel (D)
(File Photos by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

[email protected] and [email protected]

Court and Public Reaction

Kotarba was charged Tuesday in Kenosha County Circuit Court and released after Court Commissioner William Michel II ignored prosecutors’ request for a $10,000 cash bail. Multiple courthouse sources told KCE that Judge Chad Kerkman — who handled the case before Michel — may have instructed Michel to grant a no-cash release.

The decision drew widespread backlash online and on talk radio. Conservative host Dan O’Donnell discussed the case on his Wednesday morning program, calling the court’s decision “an outrage.” A courthouse insider told KCE:

“Bill Michel doesn’t have a backbone and it’s unlikely he’ll grow a pair to ever do the right thing.”

As of late Wednesday night, no message or alert had been sent to Wilmot parents regarding Kotarba’s purported presence at school. Multiple parents told KCE they plan to keep their children home until the district takes action.

Kotarba’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for November 4 in Kenosha County Circuit Court.

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119 Responses

  1. Let me start by saying that I totally agree with the students and parents who are upset about him being in the classroom. I would also think that the school district could possibly have some lawsuits on their hands if they didn’t. No matter what the allegations are right now, he’s innocent until proven guilty ( even though people aren’t often treated that way. ) denying him access to the education that is mandatory for him to attend could also be looked at as discrimination against him. The school district doesn’t want to deal with the issues legally that could come about because they denied him access to his education. The legal system is an extremely corrupt broken and incompetent system in the government right now here in Wisconsin. Pedos need to get higher bonds & harsher sentry then what they have been… it keeps continuing here because the people doing it aren’t afraid of the consequences anymore because they are seeing other people walking out the jail door and have 12 hours a day to “work.” That’s not a jail sentence, that’s Literally a “hotel “ to them until the sentence is complete.

    Sorry for the long comment on this one…

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    1. Agreed. Broken justice system.. similar to people who have 3-4 OWI’s and they are still released, out there driving drunk, killing people, due to lenient laws. Profits over people, thanks to the Tavern league. It’s revolting.

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    2. He can do remote learning. Clearly the school is equipped for that since it was forced on all the kids during Covid. Common sense is not wilmots strong suit. Big problem when the courts see him as an adult, yet the school treats him like a child. Can’t have it both ways.

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      1. Can’t do remote school due to him not being allowed to use electronics or anything that uses the internet…. My son goes to Wilmot and this kid is in his 7th and 8th hour. My son said the kid is in one room all day because of threats of violence against him 🙄. I get legally the kid has to go to school but think it’s time he’s homeschooled. I wasn’t notified that this kid was back at school. My son sent me the article about the kid being released on a signature bond….

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        1. He was seen walking around freely with out protection against for other students. Why as a parent would you send your child to school after being charged for child porn. My first action would be to send him to treatment.

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    3. The judge could have ordered virtual learning, he didn’t have to allow him back in school, his upcoming trial is bot even two weeks away. This judge and commissioner are notorious for protecting the criminal.

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        1. Which is the dumbest shit ever because they are REQUIRED to use a Chromebook and internet even in school. What a fucking joke.

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        2. but he can use internet to send a shooting threat to wilmot on discord? i think its time to get him away from 13-17 year olds. the school system is failing these children and their safety.

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    4. They can at LEAST expel him for having inappropriate videos on his school issues chromebook. Kids will gets suspended for such silly things all the time.

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      1. … for the administration at Wilmot.
        Send out this news release;

        “By court order this student is not allowed to use electronic devices. As part of the curriculum at Wilmot Union High School we require students to utilize electronic devices as part of their learning experience.
        Therefore by the decision of the administrator and the Wilmot Union High School Board this student is hereby suspended from attending classes in the building and furthermore not allowed on campus for any activity until the judicial process has run its course and a judge releases him from the electronic restrictions.
        Additionally Wilmot Union High School Board reserves the right to then reevaluate the situation and further restrict the student from any or all academic or other activities.
        At this time expulsion is not appropriate but Wilmot Union High School reserves the right to utilize this option in the future.”

        Students have been suspended for far less than this. This administration and board need to error on the side of the full student population and the families of these students by removing this student from school.
        It is not the problem of the school or families of these students to subject themselves to this obviously troubled student.
        This students family are the only people that need to be affected by this student’s actions.
        It is totally on the family to decide how to continue with this student’s education going forward.

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    5. Since I can’t comment on the regular page. This is why Wilmot is loosing enrollment. The whole liberal actions in this school are disgusting. This is why my Grandsons transferred to another school. Let’s ruin the sports in this school with DEI, now let’s ruin the rest of the school.I hate knowing my taxes are.paying for this crap.

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      1. What DEI the school is 95% White. Then move to the school district where your grandson goes, easy fixed. Wilmot is a good school, it has flaws but my 3rd child is graduating from there and all 3 of them were on the High Honor Roll for the 4 years.

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      2. Well at least he wasn’t jacking it in the girls locker room in front of girls like the boy was doing for weeks over at Westosha Central………….. PS he was doing this with the administration and teachers knowing about it.

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    6. If the law states that the student has a right to an education, then they need to offer him alternative, such as on-line school. He should not be allowed in the building with other students.

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    7. Wilmot currently has an online program. They could easily enforce that he has to attend online. He was caught with it on his school Chromebook. Why is that not being addressed?

    8. My son got in trouble at Wilmot and a court case for nothing even close to this and we were told he had no right to an education. He was not allowed back and expelled. This kid gets to stroll through campus and continue his education until trial?

    9. I disagree. He can go to a school for troubled teenagers. He can do e-schooling. There is absolutely no law stating he has to be in a high school where others are forced to feel unsafe so one student gets his rights. There are many other options open to him that doesn’t endanger or disrupt other students.

  2. What is the reasoning for allowing a pedohpile to stay in school?? I cannot think of a single one. Even if we are assuming innocence until proven guilty, when it comes to children they need to err on the side of caution and suspend him until everything is sorted out. We are in an era where remote learning is a possibility so do that. I cannot believe the lack of discernment with these people that we pay to be in charge of the well being of our kids.

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  3. My child attends this school, but will not be reporting for classes until this “person” is completely removed. I question the school’s and the commissioner’s judgment for even allowing him to walk free (without bond) much less attend classes. Not 100% proven guilty yet, but any idiot can see that he should NOT be around kids!

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      1. Let’s not call a child names or encourage bullying, we’re adults. There is a reason why he is this way people need to start looking at the family and why his mental health has not been addressed or perhaps the school has isn’t made suggestions to the family about the things that they have noticed about this child so many things have been overlookedMental illness needs to be addressed. Sad future for our kids.

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        1. No, bullying is exactly what he needs to straighten him out. This crap didn’t propagate when people got their ass kicked for it.

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        2. Mf needs to be hung!!! There’s are people with actual problems n mental illness n don’t even think twice about doing something such as this ur probably a child touched aswell gross bitch!

  4. My child will not be attending school today. One posted on FB that Jason threatened violence at the school today. I have no clue if it’s true or how she knows but I’m not risking it.

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    1. IT WASN’T HIM THAT MADE THE THREAT, AND EMAIL CAME OUT IN THE MORNING THAT IT WAS NOT CREDIBLE AND THAT THERE WERE GOING TO BE EXTRA SHERIFF’S AT SCHOOL

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    1. That’s because he is also the whole staff including the school officer NOT A SECOND in the day where u won’t find guy talking to sum little girl !

        1. As a former wilmot student, me and multiple people caught him taking a video of the cheerleaders on his personal phone while they were stunting

  5. In cases where young people have gone this far astray, the parents should be charged as well. 17 is still a child, he’s still in high school, and his parent have clearly done very wrong by him.

      1. The parents are clearly losers. When the lack of discipline leads to… this… one must look at the situation from an, “Is this neglect?” standpoint.

        Have the parents been so neglectful of their child, that we now have a criminal on our hands?

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      2. I can’t believe the times we are living in! Wrong is right, criminals get off for big offenses and the innocent suffer. Kerkman needs to be investigated as well as Michel! Our justice system in Kenosha is a joke! These poor students have to put up with incompetent judges, DAs, principles and teachers. Enough is enough already!!!

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  6. He’s not a man by any stretch. If this happened back in the day, that kid would be running for his life after school.
    And, he certainly would have had his ass kicked multiple times. HE would be the one afraid to go to school.
    Again, somebody PLEASE kick the shit out of this punk.

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    1. You are correct. No matter the age, a creepy, immature sexual pervert needs to be called out and dealt with so they can change their ways.

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      1. Yes, HJ IS RIGHT. Even creepy perverted immature old men need to have someone kick their ass until they stop bragging about their middle school sexual conquests as a teenaged rock star.

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  7. I understand the significance of every child having the right to an education, but it’s equally crucial for them to feel safe at school. Unfortunately, my daughter doesn’t feel safe. Yesterday, she saw the “accused” walking the halls. My husband and I prioritize her safety above all else. Despite the principle of innocence until proven guilty, he has admitted to committing the acts.

    Parents, please keep your children home. The school has a responsibility to protect our kids. Until the administration takes action and addresses the situation in a sensible and moral manner, providing complete transparency to the parents, we must make the best decision for our children.

    The entire situation is absurd.

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  8. My daughter attends Wilmot Union with him also. She said that he has always struck her as a little different but she is shocked and sickened at the current allegations. She woke up this morning SOBBING and scared to go to school, showing me posts from other parents in which violence was mentioned. Innocent until guilty is part of our broken judicial system but why should the truly innocent be the ones suffering consequences because he is allowed to still attend.

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    1. I am so sorry for your daughter and the other children forced to be in school with this pig. Go to the school board meetings, complain to the DOJ, confront the principal and administrator–band together. Do not let this fall by the wayside!

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      1. I have and I have contacted the school regarding this issue. Apparently I’m not the only one as they have sent out a “follow up communication” basically explaining this young mans rights, which I already know, it just doesn’t put minds at ease. There are younger students at Wilmot as there is in any high school. Freshman aren’t far off of the age 3-10 “which he thinks is hot”. It is just frustrating as a parent and as a student (my daughter) to even have to worry about this. Such an uncomfortable feeling 🙁

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        1. lol nice try troll. Libs are trying to push their rainbow religion on every kid and act shocked when they all turn into perverts. That’s what the rainbow jihad is all about.

  9. All of this happening and caputo blames Kevin on the sheriff’s facebook post. The fucken left are so lost it’s insane. A student with child crap and then a threat and she blames Kevin. This is the left ladies and gentlemen

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    1. She’s a hypocrite and a loser. She runs to that Niccolai site to post in hope her 4 other dem friends will all play along and talk shit

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  10. This is reprehensible, and more reasons to pull your kids out of public schools. Either send them to private schools or homeschool them. The schools are supposed to keep the children in their care safe! What good are mandated reporters, who are all of the teachers and staff at Wilmot HS, if they are putting the other children in danger? Also, Kerkman and Michels need to be investigated for allowing so many predators on the streets to continually harm the public. They don’t care about anyone, especially children!

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  11. I graduated high school at Wilmot as a class of 2025 I have heard rumors of this guy Touching himself in the bathroom stalls and he also acts weird always protecting his Chromebook and phone like it’s his lifeline I always knew something about him was off I just couldn’t figure out what But Now we know

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  12. There are a lot of kids not going back until this pos is Out of there.
    This woke garbage has got to stop, period.
    This piece of garbage should be incarcerated.
    Held with zero bail, and not allowed to walk freely in school.
    What the hell is wrong with those who are Supposed to enforce laws, Supposed to protect our kids?
    Im told there are 3 or 4 other “kids” at Wilmot with minitoring ankle brackets???
    What happened to sending violent criminal students to Wales? Prison for youths? In this case, this scum punk is old enough to be charged as an adult, stick his butt in county jail until trial, Not just allow him to walk freely in the school he has threatened and broke the very laws he is charged with.

    We thought county schools were better then in Kenosha, turns out they really are no better, and in some cases worse. First we hear of the transgender guy in girls locker rooms at Central, with staff excusing and allowing it, now a known, threatening pedo at
    Wilmot.
    Public Schools Suck thanks to lefty woke ideologies.

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    1. He will be tried as an adult in November. It’s so so sick and sad. I have so many questions that I would love for the school to answer.

  13. What is the wilmot officer doing about this!? What role does he play ? And what actions does he take to protect all the Students he’s responsible for?

    Curious minds inquiring 🧐

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    1. The School Resource Officer (SRO) does nothing.

      You would think any student or adult can walk up to the SRO and make a complaint or accusation and the SRO would not just start an investigation but detain the student until his superiors, and a Kenosha County Assistant District Attorney and the students parents could get to the school.

      While I am big supporter of having a police presence in the schools their lack of training on how to respond to problems of this type is disappointing.

    2. Im a student at wilmot and the officers and teachers have done absolutely nothing. They were told to watch him at all times and that he needed to be escorted everywhere multiple students have walked passed him terrified because no teacher is escorting him anywhere.. also might as well shut down at this point because what was there 70 kids today and most of them left before the end of the day i will not be attending till I know he is gone

    3. He cant do anything I tried to talk to him about a kid stalking me and my friend and they said that we dont go to the SRO we have to run it through the administration first so we wrote a report on the person and he said we were bullying him and that the SRO was NOT To be involved

  14. Goddamn woke libtards need to put the foot down and get this kid in the slammer, this school is too far left and full of liberal sissy’s and letting this pedo walk freely #Justice #Wilmot

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  15. This POSSSSS needs to get out of here he is disgusting as one of my grandkids told me about him and his plumbers crack they need to teach this kid a lesson cause if he did this back in my day he would have been man handled, done, no longer this ridiculous and they better figure this out before I come down there and figure it out for them.

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  16. Woke lefties are a cancer on society.
    We have to rid the government, our school systems of these demented nut cases losers who allow and excuse this degenerate stuff.

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  17. Damn Back in my days we never used to have these issues if I ever wanted to crank my hog I definitely didn’t have time for it and especially not at school that is just disgusting I was to busy working 36 hour days for my blue collar job also my neck is red living off energy drinks and marlboro reds and Trump will do the right thing I know it. God Bless America. #Bluecollar #Trump #Rahhh #MAGA #Brunt #Timberland #Lululemon

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  18. If you were my kiddos I would have been very disappointed in you this man has his crack out all the time you could fit about $67 worth of quarters in his slot machine this guy is just deeeesugsting and I know I raced my kids wayyyyy better than you liberal sissy your quite literally the definition of someone who votes for that Kamala harris I knew we need more people like me and you just an example #Rahhh #MAGA #woke #liberal

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  19. My cousin/boyfriend Jason was like a brother to me, same taste too. I cant believe he is being locked up. Free my brotha mane.

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  20. I cant belive my son is being convited of for these things!?!?! This is a normal thing in our household and should not be judged for it. Free my son now?!??!!! #JerkinFam #Normalize #CP

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  21. Why are we letting a sex offender walk in the halls of our school?

    Genuinely, as a student I don’t know if I want to attend the school while he’s here. It’s just makes me feel unsafe and I can only imagine how others feel as well.
    Like for example, as of today a majority of students had left the school for the sake of their safety, and what did the school administrators do? They just sat back, sent out an email saying everything will be fine and just let it all fly by?

    Another thing, Jason had been found with 5 counts of child pornography held on his school computer. Judge Kerkman just decided to go easy and bail him out. Plus the school didn’t even expel him. They said they couldn’t do anything due to it not being on school property. (The computer is school property)
    The least they could have done was expel him for his actions.
    That’s for one thing not against the law.

    please wilmot do better.

  22. Im a student at wilmot, when we asked the main principal about it he said and I quote “Not the first or last article made about me, looks like im famous.” While laughing about the article about him ” im still getting paid so I don’t care.” Along with “my wife makes tripple than me I should just retire at this point.” Most of the students and parents are being notified about what he has said meanwhile this morning he send a big paragraph about SuSo (Speak up Speak out) and bro goes and says that lowkey messed up😬 honestly the students kept each other way more safe than any of the teachers did

    1. Also thank you so much to the central kids they’ve checked up on us all day along with letting everyone at central aware of the situation and honestly I thought wilmot was gonna be better with safety but bro as a freshman having to put my life in danger ive never had a teacher who hasn’t cared about my safety and the students around me but wilmot has clearly showed us wrong great job bender and kreil

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  23. At what point is the public gonna start demanding much tougher punishments for crimes against kids? I think most of us would be fine with death 😀

  24. Also thank you so much to the central kids they’ve checked up on us all day along with letting everyone at central aware of the situation and honestly I thought wilmot was gonna be better with safety but bro as a freshman having to put my life in danger ive never had a teacher who hasn’t cared about my safety and the students around me but wilmot has clearly showed us wrong great job bender and kreil

  25. LOL they let Jimmy Padlock walk after having an alleged grooming session with a 16 year old soccer player. Jeffery Moore, associate director at AT&T and Twin Lakes resident with 2 daughter who attended Wilmot at the time, spoke in favor of keep Jimmy at the school board meeting where he was shown the door. Jeff, called Jimmy a “good man.”

    The history of grooming at Wilmot has a long history!

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    1. The place is disgusting most of the higher up admin have all been suspected of liking children by the students who LITERALLY go to the school SMH place needs new staff ASAP

  26. As a Grandmother of a student and having raised boys who got suspended in school for a lot less HE SHOULD BE SUSPENDED until his court case OR EXPELLED !!!!

    1. Yeah sadly this school is just a CP warzone all the gross ass teachers probably have there own discord. Gross ass people don’t give a single fuck about anything! Like I said god forbid a kid like smoke but CP is all good 😭 WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK. the whole staff needs prison for life!

  27. If there letting a student get away with this just imagine what the teachers are doing wilmot is truly a disgusting place Mr.Kriel was literally fired from his last school job for doing weird stuff with children!!! Also judge kirkman is disgusting too he most definitely has cp on his devices as well buddy said nah this is all good like what! god forbid a kid hit some nic or smoke weed but child pornography is fine you people are disgusted and need serious help!

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  28. Kriel, christy, and bender all deserve to go to prison as well if there supporting CP!!! They all have been weird in the pass especially kriel and bender they some lil chomos and deserve to get touched n fired truly disgusting work by “administration”

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  29. the officer at school is most definitely a child predator as well there’s not a second in the day where this guy isn’t talking to a little girl ! Buddy most definitely likes children n should be fired as well!!! rather have a school cop who doesn’t love children and supports acts such as these -_-

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  30. Hope the judge, kriel, bender, jason, bitchoff, n christy all go to prison for life you guys don’t deserve to see another day if this is how we’re operating!

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  31. also weird how we’re blaming such actions on “mental illness” there are people with real fucking problems in there life and never once thought of doing what you guys promote!!!

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  32. yeah i do be messing with jason on the low he my day 1 hope he gets freed god bless. Hes a good guy when you get to meet him thats all im saying.

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Kaitlynn E. Hurst, 31, of Kenosha, and Jasmin Gutierrez, 24, of Salem(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Kaitlynn E. Hurst, 31, of Kenosha, and Jasmin Gutierrez, 24, of Salem, were charged Tuesday after police say they attacked another woman during a dispute involving a man. Hurst was ordered held on $5,000 cash bail, while Gutierrez was given $1,500 cash bail by Court

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Mount Pleasant Woman Accused Of Stealing Nearly $1,300 From Kenosha Meijer, Found At Walmart With Maserati

Rosalina M. Baron, 46, of Mount Pleasant(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A 46-year-old Mount Pleasant woman is facing a felony charge after Kenosha Police say she walked out of Meijer with nearly $1,300 worth of merchandise without paying and was later found outside a nearby Walmart with her Maserati. Rosalina M. Baron, 46, of Mount Pleasant(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must

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Two Charged After 8th Avenue Tap Brawl Leaves Two Women Injured; Bartender Says Wade Was ‘Fucking Wailing On Her’

Raymond A. Mims, 33, and Alexis D. Wade, 28, Both of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Two Kenosha residents are facing criminal charges after police say a dispute inside the 8th Avenue Tap spilled into a larger disturbance that left two women injured and prompted multiple 911 calls. Alexis D. Wade, 28, of Kenosha, is charged with misdemeanor battery as a

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Pleasant Prairie Man Accused Of Stealing $150 From Burger King Register While Working

Joshua C. Hyman, 33, of Pleasant Prairie(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) SOMERS, Wis. — A 33-year-old Pleasant Prairie man is facing a criminal charge after prosecutors say surveillance video captured him taking $150 from an open cash register while working at a Somers Burger King. Joshua C. Hyman, 33, of Pleasant Prairie(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in to view the rest

Meet The New Boss: Controversial Western Kenosha County Administrator Robert Antholine Lands Top KUSD Leadership Job

KENOSHA, Wis. — Kenosha Unified School District has a new Chief of School Leadership, and instead of promoting someone from within Wisconsin’s third-largest school district, KUSD went west — hiring former Randall Consolidated and Twin Lakes #4 District Administrator Robert Antholine, an administrator whose tenure in western Kenosha County ended with both districts facing serious financial challenges, a failed Twin Lakes referendum, controversy

From Scott Walker To David Crowley: Lifelong Republican Kenosha Mayor David Bogdala Supports Democratic Candidate For Governor

KENOSHA, Wis. — Kenosha Mayor David Bogdala (R), a lifelong Republican with deep roots in the Kenosha County GOP, went to Democratic State Rep. Ben DeSmidt’s (D) annual Pig Roast at Union Park Tavern on Saturday to support Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Crowley (D) in his campaign to become Wisconsin’s next governor. Crowley later highlighted the Kenosha event on his Facebook page, prominently

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Racine Woman Sentenced To 6 Years In Prison For Embezzling Hundreds Of Thousands From Kenosha Property Management Company

Sarah A. Benson, 46, of Racine(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Sarah A. Benson, 46, of Racine, was sentenced Friday to six years in state prison followed by five years of extended supervision for embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from Elyon Property Management, a Kenosha property management company. Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Jason A. Rossell imposed the sentence Friday morning

Racine County Sheriff Orders Immediate Removal Of Flock Cameras After Learning Company Retains, Monetizes Data

RACINE, Wis. — Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling has ordered the immediate removal of every Flock license plate reader camera operated by the Racine County Sheriff’s Office after learning the company appears to be collecting, retaining and monetizing information far beyond what the agency believed it had agreed to. The decision comes less than two months after a Walworth County judge ordered Racine

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Kenosha Man Held On $25,000 Cash Bail After Deputies Allegedly Find Nearly An Ounce Of Cocaine In Car

Michael Dinaso Sr., 47, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A 47-year-old Kenosha man accused of possessing nearly an ounce of cocaine with intent to deliver it was charged Friday after Kenosha County sheriff’s deputies allegedly found cocaine, drug paraphernalia and other evidence inside the vehicle he was driving. Michael Dinaso Sr., 47, of Kenosha, was also allegedly driving while revoked,

Pringle Nature Center Secures New 10-Year Lease With Kenosha County

BRISTOL, Wis. — The Pringle Nature Center will continue operating at Bristol Woods Park for at least another decade after Kenosha County and the nonprofit organization entered into a new 10-year lease agreement. Kenosha County Executive Samantha Kerkman joined county parks officials and Pringle Nature Center leaders Wednesday for a ceremonial signing of the agreement, which was recently approved by the Kenosha County

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Catch, Release, Repeat: Everyone Saw It Coming Except “Catch & Release” Kellum – Hours After He Let Woman Facing 41 Years Walk For Free, She Allegedly Violated Bond Again; Now Facing More Than 65 Years

Krystyna M. Rogers, 36, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Everyone saw this coming. Apparently, Kenosha County Court Commissioner Daniel “Catch & Release” Kellum did not. On Thursday, Kellum lived up to his nickname and released 36-year-old Krystyna M. Rogers without requiring her to pay a penny, even though she was already facing 10 criminal charges in four open cases, including

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Kenosha Woman Accused Of Smashing Apartment Windows With Baseball Bat, Challenging Man To Fight

Yvonne Pito Contreraz, 39, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A 39-year-old Kenosha woman is accused of using a baseball bat to smash two windows of an apartment while allegedly yelling for a man inside to “come outside” and fight her. Yvonne Pito Contreraz, 39, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in to view the rest of this

Former Wilmot Student Sentenced To Maximum Prison Time Requested By Prosecutors In Child Pornography Case After Earlier No-Cash Bail Sparked Outrage

KENOSHA, Wis. — Former Wilmot Union High School student Jason A. Kotarba, 17, of Twin Lakes, was sentenced Friday to the maximum prison time requested by prosecutors: 4½ years of initial confinement, followed by six years of extended supervision, after Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Heather Iverson imposed the prosecution’s recommendation in full and ordered all three sentences to run consecutively. The substantial

36-Year-Old Kenosha Man Critically Injured In Sheridan Road Motorcycle Crash; Police Searching For Driver Who Allegedly Left Scene

KENOSHA, Wis. — A 36-year-old Kenosha man was seriously injured in a motorcycle crash on Sheridan Road at around 8:20 p.m. Thursday, and police were searching for another driver who witnesses said may have been involved and fled the scene.. The crash occurred in the 7800 block of Sheridan Road, also known as State Highway 32. According to Kenosha Police Department scanner traffic,

KUSD Ends Districtwide Free Meal Program At 17 Schools, Citing Depleted Food Service Reserves And $250,000 Monthly Cost

KENOSHA, Wis. — Kenosha Unified School District families are facing a significant change to the district’s school meal program this year, with 17 schools no longer participating in a program that previously provided breakfast and lunch to every student at no charge regardless of household income. The change has generated questions and calls from parents during the opening days of the 2026-27 school

Kenosha Unified Girls Make History With First-Ever Flag Football Games

KENOSHA, Wis. — About 70 girls from Kenosha Unified School District made school history Wednesday, taking the field for the district’s first-ever girls flag football games. Teams from Bradford, Indian Trail and Tremper high schools competed Sept. 2 at Hammes Field at Racine Case High School as part of the Donald Driver-Driven NFL FLAG Football League. Each school fielded a team of approximately

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Arkansas Woman Accused Of Stabbing Fiancé In Kenosha Hotel After Beating Him With Grill Tongs, Kicking Him With Prosthetic Leg

Bayley D. Yates, 24, of Faulkner, Arkansas(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Bayley D. Yates, 24, of Faulkner, Arkansas, was charged Tuesday with first-degree recklessly endangering safety, misdemeanor battery as domestic abuse, and disorderly conduct with use of a dangerous weapon as domestic abuse after police say she stabbed her fiancé during a violent confrontation inside a Kenosha hotel. Court Commissioner Daniel

Longtime Wisconsin State Senator Van Wanggaard’s Daughter Dies After Nearly Four-Year Battle With Cancer

RACINE, WI — Wisconsin State Senator Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) and his family are mourning the death of his daughter, Kathleen “Katie” (Wanggaard) Jensen, who died Sunday evening following a nearly four-year battle with cancer. Wanggaard’s office announced the heartbreaking news Monday morning, saying Jensen died peacefully while surrounded by her family. “We are devastated to inform you that Kathleen (Wanggaard) Jensen, the daughter

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Kenosha Man Charged With Sexually Assaulting Firefighter In Ambulance, Hit-And-Run And Felony Domestic Violence; Gets No-Cash Bail In Two Cases

Keaton J. Lasley, 23, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Keaton J. Lasley, 23, of Kenosha, was charged Tuesday in three separate criminal cases involving the alleged sexual assault of a firefighter inside an ambulance, a hit-and-run crash and a violent felony domestic violence case in which prosecutors say he confined and battered a woman and attacked another. Court Commissioner Daniel

Kenosha To Celebrate More Than 120 Years Of Streetcar History With Free Rides, Displays Saturday

KENOSHA, Wis. — Kenosha will celebrate more than 120 years of electric streetcar history Saturday with Streetcar Day 2026, featuring free rides, activities and displays downtown. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, and will give residents and visitors a chance to ride Kenosha’s historic electric streetcars while learning about the people, technology and communities that shaped

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Burlington Man Charged With 2nd OWI After Allegedly Blowing Red Light, Injuring Driver And Fleeing Crash Scene

Jose M. Colon-Ortiz, 25, of Burlington(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) PARIS, Wis. – Jose M. Colon-Ortiz, 25, of Burlington, is facing five criminal charges after authorities say he drunkenly blew through a red light, caused a violent crash that injured another driver, and then ran from the scene. Kenosha County Court Commissioner Daniel E. Kellum set only $3,500 cash bail Tuesday afternoon. Jose M.

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Kenosha Woman Accused Of Punching Roommate, Threatening To Burn Apartment Down, Fleeing Police; Catch & Release Kellum Gives No-Cash Bail

Mary E. Spates, 36, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Mary E. Spates, 36, of Kenosha, was charged Tuesday with six criminal counts after police say she punched and shoved her roommate, threatened to burn their apartment down, fled from an officer and was later found with cocaine and drug paraphernalia. Despite the new felony charge and allegations that Spates committed

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Two Women Charged After Alleged Two-On-One Beating In Kenosha Over Man, Sex Dispute

Kaitlynn E. Hurst, 31, of Kenosha, and Jasmin Gutierrez, 24, of Salem(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Kaitlynn E. Hurst, 31, of Kenosha, and Jasmin Gutierrez, 24, of Salem, were charged Tuesday after police say they attacked another woman during a dispute involving a man. Hurst was ordered held on $5,000 cash bail, while Gutierrez was given $1,500 cash bail by Court

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Mount Pleasant Woman Accused Of Stealing Nearly $1,300 From Kenosha Meijer, Found At Walmart With Maserati

Rosalina M. Baron, 46, of Mount Pleasant(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A 46-year-old Mount Pleasant woman is facing a felony charge after Kenosha Police say she walked out of Meijer with nearly $1,300 worth of merchandise without paying and was later found outside a nearby Walmart with her Maserati. Rosalina M. Baron, 46, of Mount Pleasant(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must

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Two Charged After 8th Avenue Tap Brawl Leaves Two Women Injured; Bartender Says Wade Was ‘Fucking Wailing On Her’

Raymond A. Mims, 33, and Alexis D. Wade, 28, Both of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Two Kenosha residents are facing criminal charges after police say a dispute inside the 8th Avenue Tap spilled into a larger disturbance that left two women injured and prompted multiple 911 calls. Alexis D. Wade, 28, of Kenosha, is charged with misdemeanor battery as a

Plus +

Pleasant Prairie Man Accused Of Stealing $150 From Burger King Register While Working

Joshua C. Hyman, 33, of Pleasant Prairie(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) SOMERS, Wis. — A 33-year-old Pleasant Prairie man is facing a criminal charge after prosecutors say surveillance video captured him taking $150 from an open cash register while working at a Somers Burger King. Joshua C. Hyman, 33, of Pleasant Prairie(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged in to view the rest

Meet The New Boss: Controversial Western Kenosha County Administrator Robert Antholine Lands Top KUSD Leadership Job

KENOSHA, Wis. — Kenosha Unified School District has a new Chief of School Leadership, and instead of promoting someone from within Wisconsin’s third-largest school district, KUSD went west — hiring former Randall Consolidated and Twin Lakes #4 District Administrator Robert Antholine, an administrator whose tenure in western Kenosha County ended with both districts facing serious financial challenges, a failed Twin Lakes referendum, controversy

From Scott Walker To David Crowley: Lifelong Republican Kenosha Mayor David Bogdala Supports Democratic Candidate For Governor

KENOSHA, Wis. — Kenosha Mayor David Bogdala (R), a lifelong Republican with deep roots in the Kenosha County GOP, went to Democratic State Rep. Ben DeSmidt’s (D) annual Pig Roast at Union Park Tavern on Saturday to support Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Crowley (D) in his campaign to become Wisconsin’s next governor. Crowley later highlighted the Kenosha event on his Facebook page, prominently

Plus +

Racine Woman Sentenced To 6 Years In Prison For Embezzling Hundreds Of Thousands From Kenosha Property Management Company

Sarah A. Benson, 46, of Racine(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Sarah A. Benson, 46, of Racine, was sentenced Friday to six years in state prison followed by five years of extended supervision for embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from Elyon Property Management, a Kenosha property management company. Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Jason A. Rossell imposed the sentence Friday morning

Racine County Sheriff Orders Immediate Removal Of Flock Cameras After Learning Company Retains, Monetizes Data

RACINE, Wis. — Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling has ordered the immediate removal of every Flock license plate reader camera operated by the Racine County Sheriff’s Office after learning the company appears to be collecting, retaining and monetizing information far beyond what the agency believed it had agreed to. The decision comes less than two months after a Walworth County judge ordered Racine

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