(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office)
KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha pastor and former Kenosha Unified School District principal accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting a vulnerable church member appeared in court Monday, where Court Commissioner William “Bargain Bail Billy” Michel II reduced his bail by 75% from a previously issued arrest warrant, a move that raised eyebrows inside the courthouse.
(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office)
Curtiss W. Tolefree Jr., 48, of Kenosha, had originally been charged March 13 after Judge David O. Hughes signed a $200,000 arrest warrant. After turning himself in Sunday afternoon, Tolefree appeared in court Monday, where Michel lowered the bail to $50,000 cash. He is due back in court March 25 for a preliminary hearing.
According to an amended criminal complaint, Tolefree is charged with two counts of second-degree sexual assault for allegedly assaulting a 29-year-old woman with significant cognitive and mental health impairments between December 2025 and February 2026 at the Greater Mt. Hebron Church in Kenosha.
Investigators allege the victim, who functions at the level of a young child, was repeatedly assaulted inside Tolefree’s office, a secondary office, and other areas of the church.
The woman told investigators she repeatedly told Tolefree “no,” but he ignored her and continued. During a forensic interview, she described being forced to perform sexual acts and being penetrated, including incidents that caused pain and injury.
The complaint further alleges Tolefree used his position as a pastor to exert control over the victim, isolating her from her family while maintaining frequent private contact, including late-night meetings and phone calls.
Authorities say the victim became increasingly withdrawn and ultimately attempted suicide in February, ingesting dozens of pills before later disclosing the alleged assaults to her family.
The case also outlines troubling allegations involving Tolefree’s wife, Lashanda Tolefree, who served as the victim’s therapist. According to investigators, the victim reported that Lashanda told her not to disclose the abuse and encouraged her to stop taking prescribed psychiatric medications, saying “God will heal her.”
Family members told police they believed the couple gradually isolated the victim while increasing their influence over her. The victim also reported that both Tolefree and his wife had access to her phone location, which her family described as inappropriate.
The complaint further alleges that Tolefree warned the victim not to tell anyone about the assaults and suggested she could get in trouble if she spoke out.
Tolefree is identified in the complaint as the pastor of the church where the alleged assaults occurred.
Beyond the current charges, Tolefree previously held leadership roles within Kenosha Unified School District, including serving as a dean at Bradford High School and later as principal of Washington Middle School. During his time as a dean at Bradford, he was previously accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting a student. That case resulted in criminal charges but was ultimately dismissed after the alleged victim declined to participate in the prosecution.
He later left KUSD amid controversy surrounding how that investigation was handled and went on to serve as a principal in Zion, Illinois, where he was ultimately terminated.
If convicted on both counts, Tolefree faces a maximum of 80 years in prison and $200,000 in fines.
16 Responses
Why does Michel undermine the judge?He must know better it seems.
Controlled opposition
WTF does this Loser have to do before everyone realizes that he is flat out trouble and a pedophile. What makes this so sad is he likes to prey on the young and weak.
This pig deserves prison time and throw his wife in jail as well.
She is obviously complicit. Why else would she stay around as he bangs married and unmarried staff at Washington Middle School and harass everyone else who cant help him do what he wants.
KUSD should have been sued when he was exposed. He menaced employees and is was just ignored.
Dr Sue Savaglio-Jarvis promoted a predator.
This is the sickest crap ever !! This town is saturated with evil pedophiles!!!!
Gee , I feel so safe knowing the sick pig is out on the streets!
Wouldn’t it be perfect if Tolefree would get his 25% bond in lew of going over to Bargain Bail Billy’s home and sexually assaulting one of his loved ones? That would be divine justice. Then perhaps, have Dr. Sue Savaglio for desert on his way home.
It might be time to find a new Court Commissioner.
This is extremely disturbing. So many in our school system seem to be pedophiles. This is why we need to vote out the liberals in our school board because they have been protecting these people. Vote for Bob Tierney and Patrick Juliana to protect our children and for fiscal responsibility.
I mean look at Yolanda!!! She supports offenders as well !
Her own son raped his own kid/her granddaughter, and she lied for him in court. She’ll win again…
If you’re black in Kenosha that you’re getting out of jail free card… the history of this pedophile should not be overlooked. His bond should be more… he must have connection to Mahone Fund .
I’m not worried about the bond. $50K is a significant chunk of change. One thing in his favor is that he did come in and surrender. Had he been picked up on a warrant in, say, Arkansas then the higher amount would be necessary.
What we should be worried about are the allegations against a person of trust in the community and the failure to heed warning signs.
Ya he bonded out at 12:36 today. Good chunk of change to come up with. Ya right
Probably the churches money