Bottom Row: Sheriff David W. Zoerner (R) and Commissioner William Michel II (D)
KENOSHA, Wis. — As widely expected, Edson O. Martinez Pacheco, a 24-year-old Mexican national with prior deportations and a repeated history of failing to appear, did not show up for his scheduled intake court appearance this morning. The no-show has renewed scrutiny on the decisions made by Sheriff David Zoerner, Supplemental Court Commissioner Michael Masnica, and Court Commissioner William Michel—decisions that directly enabled today’s outcome.
Two undercover ICE agents were physically present in the courtroom and confirmed they were prepared to take Martinez Pacheco into federal custody if he appeared. The agents were overheard telling a deputy they were extremely frustrated in general with how the Sheriff’s Office is handling ICE detainers, saying Zoerner is “cherry-picking which illegal immigrants he will hold for us.”
Martinez Pacheco is facing two felony charges: one for felony retail theft and one for felony bail jumping.
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Sheriff Zoerner Released Him Despite an ICE Detainer
Martinez Pacheco was released from the Kenosha County Jail on November 10, 2025, after posting $1,500 total cash bail. An active ICE detainer was in place at the time. In a written statement to Kenosha County Eye, Sheriff David Zoerner argued that ICE detainers are “administrative requests” and not judicial warrants, and therefore cannot be used to legally hold someone after they post state bail.
Zoerner’s position mirrors the argument made in the Voces de la Frontera lawsuit filed against him, which claims sheriffs cannot hold individuals solely on immigration detainers. Conservative sheriffs across Wisconsin and the country continue to honor detainers and hold inmates up to 48 hours to allow federal agents to take custody—a longstanding cooperation practice historically followed in Kenosha County.
Because of this shift, Martinez Pacheco was able to leave custody before ICE could retrieve him.
Masnica Slashed Bail From $10,000 to $1,500
The events leading to today’s no-show began when Supplemental Court Commissioner Michael Masnica reduced Martinez Pacheco’s total bail from $10,000 to $1,500. This occurred despite the defendant’s:
- Prior deportation,
- Four prior failures to appear,
- Active ICE detainer, and
- Arrest history in California, Nevada, and other states.
Multiple courthouse sources have told Kenosha County Eye that there may have been a directive from Judge Kerkman to impose lower bails in cases like this. If accurate, this would help explain why Masnica imposed such an unusually low bail given the defendant’s demonstrated flight risk.
The low bail allowed Martinez Pacheco to quickly post bond and leave the jail before federal authorities could intervene.
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Michel Cited a Non-Existent “Maximum Bail”
In court this morning, District Attorney Xavier Solis requested $100,000 cash bail, explaining:
“He’s been deported, skipped court four times, and has been deported since this case started,” Solis said. “He’s been to California, Nevada, and other parts of the country.”
Commissioner William Michel instead set bail at $10,000 per case, claiming this was “the maximum allowed.” Wisconsin law establishes no statutory maximum bail amount for felonies, and courts across the state routinely impose bail amounts far higher. Michel’s statement was either legally incorrect or reflects a misunderstanding of Wisconsin bail statutes.
Solis told the court he will be filing an additional count of felony bail jumping following today’s failure to appear.
Sheriff’s Response?
Kenosha County Eye did not immediately hear back from Sheriff Zoerner regarding today’s developments. We do not expect a response, but will update this story if one is received.
27 Responses
I am disgusted with Commissioner William Michel and Sheriff David Zoerner for aiding and abetting this previously deported, criminal, illegal alien. Both of these officials have completely betrayed the trust Kenosha County citizens placed in them. The safety of Americans must come first!
Disgust and pent up anger are worthless. Only direct action is effective against traitor officialdom.Also, not listing Zoerner as “R, switched from D” is a lost opportunity to keep the public informed and angry that the sheriff is a flim-flam fop and very dangerous to public safety.
This is what happens when illnois governor gives money to the state Supreme Court races and fibs move north to escape the climate they created to come here and vote for what they just left.
You speak the pure, unfiltered truth. FIBs are not your friends. But too many dullards here are p*ssies about dealing with that problem already. I know I’m doing my part in making those FIB assholes unwelcome.
will the sheriffs office be held responsible if they were to commit murder or rape? Zoerner has been a disappointment as sheriff.
Why Zorner? Tell that to the court commissioner who gave him low bail. Chances are he’d be locked up if he had $100,000 bail
Everyone needs to blow up the sheriff’s department phone line and email. Federal government needs to hold him accountable. He is interfering with arrests and deportations. That is called aiding and abetting and a normal civilian would be legally charged with crimes.
PITCHFORKS ANF TORCHES
The judicial system is a joke. These people should all be replaced. Criminals in criminals out just a revolving door
I regret voting for this sheriff! He is doing nothing to help keep Kenosha County safe. He is more concerned about an illegal alien than us Kenoshans! He needs to resign!
Now this scumbag beaner can do shit like this.
https://www.lakemchenryscanner.com/2025/11/19/2nd-man-charged-after-prosecutors-say-he-hired-fellow-illegal-immigrant-to-murder-man-in-beach-park-in-retaliation-for-mexico-killings/
Why is it necessary to use a racial slur?
Good point. Don’t diminish the substance of the point with stupid name calling. Unfortunately, that’s part and parcel of our social-media society.
Yes! Yes it is!
Maybe the person was already in ICE custody. It is reported all the time that ICE doesn’t know who or where people are in custody.
Michel doesn’t appear to even know WI laws regarding bail. Either he’s a liar, or extremely low IQ. The Sheriff is simply a far left POS. I hope he gets himself arrested, an arrest he is unable to fix as his speeding ticket in Sturtevant. Both need to resign!
This issue will cost Zoerner his position in the next election. He’s managed to pull off pissing off both the left and the right.
Zoerner you are a disgusting disgrace to the sheriff’s department.
A huge epic failure to the community, and this country.
I pray your fat arse is gone sooner than later completely out of public service for ever.
The defendant is the slickest cat in that photo collage. He knows what’s up.
Zoerner, shame on you. You’d better quit if this guy commits a crime. As for Michel and Masnica, can you really blame them? They’re incompetent. It only takes five signatures to terminate the first one and to launch an investigation into who nominated and appointed him for the job. We, The People, would like to know. Before his current gig, he was one of the most useless defense attorneys in town.
You are correct he is most useless but he is also STUPID!
Jail one or all three of those jackasses .So sick of the actions of the fake cop and so called judges …..clean house once and for all with these libs.👎👎👎
Zoerner and the Court Commissioner are clearly morally compromised if they can’t understand what they are doing is wrong. They should resign immediately.
Campaign, Foder for the next sheriff not… the disappointment of Sheriff Z… what’s that?Gfys
I can’t understand why Zoerner is showing such a 180 degree change. Maybe he and Samantha want to experiment with Generation Z or appeal to Antifa to gain more votes and secure their fat butts in office for the next four years. As for Michel, he’s simply useless. They wanted a loyal puppy who’s easy to manipulate, but come on, they could’ve picked someone with at least some brains.
shoplifting and bail jumping…when cousin Cletus does that there’s not even a whisper
And the people of Kenosha have elected…