TWIN LAKES, Wis. — A Salem man with a lengthy criminal history and multiple pending cases was charged in court today after authorities say he caused about $10,000 in damage to a truck and boat trailer following an argument over fishing on Lake Elizabeth. Court Commissioner William Michel II set Powell’s cash bail at $1,000 during Monday’s hearing. Powell is due back in court on April 7 for a preliminary hearing.

Joseph J. Powell, 58, of Salem, was charged with felony criminal damage to property, disorderly conduct, and two counts of misdemeanor bail jumping. Prosecutors say Powell was already out on bond in two separate theft-related cases when he allegedly damaged the vehicle and trailer on March 25.

According to the criminal complaint, the victim told Twin Lakes police that he and a friend were fishing on Lake Elizabeth near Anna Avenue when Powell allegedly began yelling that they were “fucking up his fishing” and “scaring away all the fucking fish.” The victim said Powell then left the area in an older white Ford F-150 with a large deer antler decal on the back window.

Police later reviewed surveillance footage from Sand Bar and Island Grill that allegedly showed Powell arriving in the parking area where the victim’s truck and trailer were parked. Investigators say Powell punctured three trailer tires before scratching both sides of the truck with a sharp object. Authorities estimated the damage at around $10,000.

Two days later, Twin Lakes police located Powell driving the same white Ford F-150. Investigators said the truck had the same camouflage wrap, black fender flares, and deer skull decal seen in the surveillance footage. After initially denying involvement, Powell allegedly admitted to damaging the truck and trailer, telling police, “OK, I did it.” He also admitted using a key or similar object to scratch the truck and puncture the trailer tires, according to the complaint.

The new charges come while Powell is already awaiting trial in a pending Pleasant Prairie case from September 2025. In that case, Powell is accused of stealing a trail camera, damaging a lockbox, damaging a tree, and attempting to cut down a tree stand on land owned by a local family. Police said Powell was found emerging from the woods sweaty and scratched, claimed he was “picking mushrooms,” and was carrying a folding saw, corn kernels, and apples commonly used for deer baiting.

That case resulted in charges of theft, criminal damage to property, and obstructing an officer. Powell was given a $500 cash bail in that matter by Commissioner Michel, with one of the conditions being that he commit no new crimes. Prosecutors say the March 25 vandalism case violated that bond, as well as another bond from a separate theft case filed in late 2025.

Powell’s record dates back decades. Court records show he was convicted in 2019 of disorderly conduct and two counts of negligent operation of a motor vehicle after originally being charged in Racine County with second-degree reckless endangering safety. He also has an older conviction for violating a temporary restraining order.

If convicted on the newest charges, Powell faces up to 5 years and three months in prison and $31,000 in fines.