KENOSHA, Wis. — With Judge David Hughes allowing a Mount Pleasant man convicted of his third OWI to serve nearly all of his sentence on work release, it now appears official that every judge currently handling criminal cases in Kenosha County supports what many critics call “Camp Cupcake” sentencing. While some people believe judges are pressured by some type of central authority or courthouse culture to go easy on repeat drunk drivers, the reality is that each judge has complete discretion to impose whatever lawful sentence he or she wants. Even appointed judges like Hughes have full authority to sentence offenders however they choose. In Kenosha County’s current criminal rotation, every judge appears willing to allow repeat OWI offenders to leave jail for work, errands, or caregiving instead of serving straight time behind bars.

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Edelmiro Jose Sandoval, 57, of Mount Pleasant, pleaded guilty Friday to one count of third-offense operating while intoxicated after crashing into another vehicle on Interstate 94 in the Town of Paris.

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Judge Hughes sentenced Sandoval to 360 days in jail, but made him eligible for Huber privileges, electronic monitoring and work release, meaning he will likely be able to leave the jail during the day and return at night rather than serving the sentence in full confinement.

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Hughes also ordered Sandoval to pay $5,898 in fines and costs, revoked his driver’s license for 36 months, ordered an ignition interlock device and required alcohol and drug assessment and treatment. A restitution hearing is scheduled for May 7 because the victim’s vehicle sustained disabling damage in the crash. Sandoval told the court the damage had already been paid through insurance.

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According to the criminal complaint, Wisconsin State Patrol Trooper Lintner was dispatched around 5:56 p.m. on May 18, 2025, for a report of a red Toyota Prius swerving across multiple lanes on southbound I-94 near Highway E in Paris. A crash was then reported in the same area.

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Troopers found Sandoval’s Prius on the shoulder along with a black Ford Explorer driven by an Illinois man. The victim told authorities he had been changing a tire on the shoulder when he saw Sandoval’s vehicle approaching. He honked his horn in hopes of avoiding a collision, but Sandoval struck the rear driver’s side of the Explorer. Both vehicles sustained disabling damage and airbags deployed.

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Troopers said Sandoval immediately admitted he was disappointed in himself and said he was an alcoholic. He reportedly told officers he had been drinking Fireball whiskey about 15 to 20 minutes before the crash and admitted he drank “too much.” Troopers also reported that Sandoval said he has a drinking problem and “has to go to rehab.”

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Authorities noted Sandoval smelled strongly of intoxicants, had glossy eyes and slurred speech. He refused field sobriety tests. Troopers later found four open bottles of Fireball whiskey in his vehicle.

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The victim was not injured. Authorities said Sandoval appeared unaware that he had even been involved in a crash.

Sandoval had two prior OWI convictions within the previous 10 years, including one in Racine County Circuit Court and another in Sturtevant Municipal Court.

Court Commissioner William “Bargain Bail Billy” Michel II had originally set Sandoval’s cash bail at $2,000 in May 2025 with conditions that he not consume alcohol or drugs, not drive without a valid license or ignition interlock device, and have no contact with the victim.

Third-offense OWI carries a maximum penalty of up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,000.