(Racine Police)
Updated May 18, 2026 at 9:37 p.m.
RACINE, Wis. – Kenosha County District Attorney Xavier Solis has agreed to a deferred prosecution agreement for former Racine Police Officer LaVontay Fenderson, allowing the fired officer to likely avoid a felony conviction and permanent criminal record despite allegations that he fraudulently collected more than $16,000 in taxpayer money.
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Fenderson, a former school resource officer at Park High School, pleaded guilty Monday to one count of theft by false representation greater than $10,000 and one count of misconduct in public office before Racine County Judge Faye Flancher. However, rather than entering felony convictions, the court approved a one-year hold-open agreement negotiated by Solis. If Fenderson successfully completes the agreement and pays full restitution, the felony charges will be reduced and he will instead be convicted of misdemeanor theft.
Under the agreement, Fenderson must repay $16,610.75 to the Racine Unified School District. A review hearing is scheduled for May 18, 2027.
The outcome has already generated criticism from some observers who say the deal is unusually generous considering the nature and duration of the alleged scheme.
According to the criminal complaint, investigators determined Fenderson repeatedly billed both the Racine Police Department and the Racine Unified School District for the same hours worked, including school sporting events and even normal daytime shifts when he was already on duty as a police officer. Investigators documented 72 separate instances where Fenderson allegedly received overlapping compensation from both entities.
The complaint alleges the conduct occurred between December 2022 and September 2024 and caused losses totaling $16,610.75 to RUSD. Investigators stated the conduct was not accidental and described it as a pattern that progressively increased over time.
The investigation began after Racine Police supervisors noticed irregularities in Fenderson’s overtime records and requested that the Kenosha Police Department conduct an outside investigation to avoid any appearance of bias. Kenosha investigators reviewed extensive payroll records, overtime submissions, and district timekeeping data before recommending felony charges.
The criminal complaint also referenced possible financial motives. Investigators noted that Fenderson’s wife filed for divorce in 2020, finalized in 2021, and that he was later served with eviction paperwork in 2023.
Former Racine County District Attorney Patricia Hanson (D) refused to charge the officer, and the case remained unresolved until Solis took office and ultimately filed charges personally.
Still, critics say the final resolution falls far short of accountability, especially considering ordinary defendants accused of stealing over $16,000 would likely face felony convictions and potential prison exposure.
Fenderson resigned from the Racine Police Department in May 2025, months after the allegations surfaced publicly. He had remained employed for an extended period after investigators had already documented the alleged misconduct.
Court records show Solis personally handled the prosecution throughout the case as a special prosecutor from Kenosha County.
Update: This article was updated to clarify that under the hold-open agreement approved by the court, LaVontay Fenderson will be convicted of misdemeanor theft if he successfully completes the agreement and restitution requirements, rather than avoiding a conviction entirely.
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10 Responses
Reminds me of the time Racine PD hired another fella who got pulled over in a stolen car on the way to the interview (DEI….hmmmmm)
What a deal. A regular, run of the mill guy certainly would not be treated so well. Solis definitely is backing the blue no matter what they do.
Cops are underpaid, and his supervisor approved the theft of overtime. back da blue no matter what, they serve you, protect you, and would give their life for you.
Bullshit.
And that is why his wife was cheating on him with her C.O- workers.. hoop dreams baby
Man you a hater lol. Did anyone else get in trouble for this?!? He took his lumps and didn’t snitch on know one in that department. Sounds like a real ni**a to me! And lame he resigned not fired lol
The stated “sweetheart deal” must mean the honeymoon is over.
https://youtu.be/tbad22CKlB4?si=6gdUlKBayE_nBTbl
Is this what is known as a side hustle? You find a good job and then exploit it because you have a tiny bit of authority. Outta have that stupid smirk slapped off his face!
Sweetheart deal for law enforcement when they commit crimes….. shocker
“the deal is unusually generous considering the nature and duration of the alleged scheme.” How many other officers were getting double pay approved by their bosses? My guess is this was a scapegoat to stop it or fenderson himself and fenderson didn’t have the heart to put down the whole system. If that was me, I would have had every approval, every other officer that double dipped and every email on record and I would sue the entire department and each supervisor personally for this smear campaign against a good officer. Our kids loved chatting with officer fenderson and he was always happy go lucky and a good guy. What a sham.