Salem Man Found Guilty Of Three Serious Sexual Assault Charges

Copied!
James J. Tsakonas (19) Of Salem Lakes, WI
(Mugshot from Kenosha Sheriff)(Gavel File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

A Kenosha County Jury found 19-year-old James J. Tsakonas guilty of three very serious sexual assault charged last Thursday, December 7, 2023. According to Assistant District Attorney Alexandra “Alex” Smathers, after the verdict was read, Tsakonas’s mother and girlfriend yelled at the two victims saying “Fuck you!” and “This isn’t over!” Because of this, Smathers asked for more Deputies for the February 19, 2024 sentencing of Tsakonas, which Judge Milisauskas approved.

Paid Advertisement
James J. Tsakonas (20) Of Salem Lakes, WI
(Kenosha County Sheriff)

According to the criminal complaint, the sexual assaults occurred in the Spring through Fall months of 2019. Tsakonas was 15 years old at the time and both of his victims were also 15 years old. Today, and during his trial, Tsakonas is 20 years old. The victims are 19 and 20.

Paid Advertisement

Tsakonas was accused of raping a friend of a family member in the Summer of 2019. He was also accused of raping his girlfriend when they were dating in the Spring of 2019, and sexually assaulting her while she was unconscious at a party after they broke up – Fall of 2019. The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department lead the investigation.

Paid Advertisement

The victims made the reports to police in January of 2020, but Tsakonas wasn’t charged until September 8, 2020. He was waived into adult court. He was given a no-cash bail, meaning he was released from custody without having to pay any money. He remained out of custody until his conviction, when he was taken into custody.

Paid Advertisement
Assistant District Attorney Alexandra “Alex” Smathers
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

ADA Smathers, the DA Office’s sexual assault prosecutor, has a high conviction rate. Before trial, she offered Tsakonas a plea deal. She offered to dismiss the most serious charge and one of the less-serious charges and recommend to the judge that Tsakonas gets probation and no jail or prison. Tsakonas rejected the offer.

Paid Advertisement
Salem Lakes Attorney, Ted Kmiec
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Attorney Ted Kmiec wasn’t able to defeat the state’s evidence with it’s burden of proof.

Paid Advertisement
Jury Seating In Judge Milisauskas’ Courtroom
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

The jury unanimously found Tsakonas guilty of two counts of 3rd degree sexual assault and one count of 2nd degree sexual assault/unconscious victim. The verdict was reached the day after a three-day trial.

Paid Advertisement
Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Anthony Milisauskas
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Tsakonas will be sentenced by Judge Anthony Milisauskas on February 19, 2024. He faces up to a maximum of 60 years in the Wisconsin prison system.

Paid Advertisement

Author

Copied!
LATEST NEWS
Plus +

Genoa City Man Accused Of Planting GPS Tracker On Ex-Girlfriend’s Vehicle Faces Felony Stalking Charge

Phillip J. Bryant, 52, of Genoa City(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) WHEATLAND, Wis. — A 52-year-old Genoa City man accused of stalking his former girlfriend by allegedly tracking her movements with a GPS device turned himself in Friday and immediately saw his bail slashed by Court Commissioner William “Bargain Bail Billy” Michel II. Phillip J. Bryant, 52, of Genoa City(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You

Plus +

Drunk Driver Accused Of High-Speed Crash, Swinging At Officer Faces Felony Charges In Pleasant Prairie

Bryan A. Ward, 45, of Crossville, Tennessee(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. — A Tennessee man is facing felony charges after police say he caused a high-speed crash while “super drunk” and then attempted to punch an officer at the scene, according to a newly filed criminal complaint. Court Commissioner William “Bargain Bail Billy” Michel II set a $5,000 cash bond during

MORE TOP STORIES

City Of Kenosha Launches Public Workshops To Shape 2050 Comprehensive Plan

KENOSHA, Wis. — City officials are inviting residents to help shape the future of Kenosha through a series of public workshops aimed at guiding development, infrastructure, and investment decisions over the next 25 years. The workshops are part of the city’s effort to build its 2050 Comprehensive Plan, a long-range

Plus +

Kenosha Repeat Domestic Abuser Charged With Felony Battery After Allegedly Punching Sister, Smashing Mother’s Windshield; $2,500 Cash Bail Set

Isiah M. Christopher, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A 25-year-old Kenosha man accused of punching his sister in the face and damaging his mother’s vehicle was given a $2,500 cash bail Friday by Court Commissioner William “Bargain Bail Billy” Michel II after prosecutors said the incident unfolded

Keys to Kenosha Launches: Citywide Event to Open Doors to 50+ Hidden Gems This Fall

KENOSHA, Wis. — A new citywide event will give residents and visitors rare, behind-the-scenes access to some of Kenosha’s most interesting and often inaccessible spaces, as officials announced the launch of “Keys to Kenosha,” a self-guided architectural and cultural tour set for Saturday, Nov. 7. The inaugural event will run

Plus +

Kenosha Man Who Skipped Court, Triggering Warrant, Accused Of Threatening Officer At McDonald’s — $5,000 Cash Bail Set After Arrest

Raveon Onshrae Slater, 31, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha man who previously failed to appear in court—triggering a bench warrant and forfeiture of his bond—was arrested Friday morning and brought before Court Commissioner William “Bargain Bail Billy” Michel II, who set a $5,000 cash bail

Categories
Archives
Authors

73 Responses

  1. Let’s be honest. This isn’t about the kid, it’s about who his lawyer was.

    That being said, I would hope Kmiec advised him strongly to take the plea….however we don’t know if the kid still insisted on going to trial. More facts are needed. Stupid decision on it’s face, though…..

    13
    2
    1. how are you going to blame a lawyer for his wrongdoings? He was the one who raped those two innocent females not the lawyer. stupid fuck. The only thing the lawyer did wrong was defending a rapist.





      12
      3
    2. how are you going to blame a lawyer for his wrongdoings? He was the one who raped those two innocent females not the lawyer. The only thing the lawyer did wrong was defending a rapist.

      3
      1
  2. Something doesn’t sound right about this. I too would hope that Kmiec strongly advised him to take that deal. I know of a couple of people from this area who are spending quite a bit of time in prison and claiming Kmiec screwed them over. I’ve also heard more horror stories about others. Not to mention past articles I’ve read here in the KCE. I definitely wouldn’t risk hiring him. Sounds really shady!!

    9
    2
    1. first of all “Mr.Common Sense” u have nun. second who literally cares ab what u have to say. Third who cares ab the lawyer? we’re talking about the disgusting behavior this gremlin did. And trust the lawyer tried his best but its hard defending a rapist.

      12
      2
  3. That’s the face of a boy who has been drug through the mud by false alligations, since he was 15. Tell me how you’d look

    9
    27
    1. Wait, what? Are you really saying he was falsely accused? Please tell me it’s sarcasm behind that comment and not stupidity…

      20
    2. ”Attorney Ted Kmiec wasn’t able to defeat the state’s evidence with it’s burden of proof.” are the “false allegations” in the room with us?

  4. He looks 40! What a dumbass for not taking the plea deal! No matter what the attorney said he could have taken it🤦‍♀️

    1. Sounds like he comes from a cocky ass family! He was most likely guilty, but still could’ve avoided jail. He most likely didn’t just take the deal because he, and the family, would still look bad unless found not guilty of all charges. Not to mention obvious friction between his family, and the victims family’s. Their cockiness, because of their pride, just caught up to them, finally!!! The other problem was their ignorance in choosing an attorney. Have a nice day….😀

      18
      3
      1. Sounds like you don’t even know his family so why are you speaking on their behalf? Everyone needs to leave this kid alone. There was no physical evidence, all accusations of girls who have ill will towards him. Didn’t seem like they cared about the supposed assault while dating him? Show me physical evidence and we can talk, that jury made a horrible decision and he was given a horrible case on the account of Kmiec who is know to be a horrible lawyer.

        6
        13
        1. Ill towards him because HE RAPED them !! Oh and he will be left alone , he s right where he needs to be, when he gets to the big house I hope karmas a Bitch!!

          11
          2
        2. “Didn’t seem like they cared about the supposed assault while dating him” sorry but dating or not, not giving consent is rape. Educate yourself. There might not have been physical evidence but a jury whom heard both sides of what happened determined he’s guilty. They did right by those girls and all the others girls too afraid to come forward for fear of what retaliation they would encounter from his family. Sounds like you don’t know the family either.

      2. His family is soooo cocky! His mother knows he’s been doing this to girls since he was a child, so why wasn’t anything done about it? You can pay all the money in the world, but it doesn’t change the fact that her sons a rapist.

        13
        1
  5. I think the whole thing is sad. There was no physical evidence. The girls waited months before saying anything. It was a she said he said between drinking and/or drug using 15yo teens. Really scary stuff. And I can not believe the DA would wait more than 4 years to bring this to trial. How dangerous could this kid really be then??? With no past or present history of this kind of behavior. I sure hope the punishment is in measure with the age and behavior of all involved.

    12
    10
    1. he does have a past record of raping a girl when they were 13 but bc he was so young he was only judicated and not made public record of his offense

      12
    2. ur sad for defending a rapist. how about you reread the WHOLE article then come comment. Im assuming you wont since you didn’t the first time. HES GUILTY. thank you merry christmas happy new year, kiss my ass , kiss ur ass, kiss his ass 🙂

      12
      2
    3. If only you knew, there are a lot more victims than you think!! Took 4 years because of the court and His lawyers postponed date after dates, hope he gets the 60 years !!🤷‍♀️

      17
      2
    4. If you were educated on the case, you’d know Kmiec continued to push the case back because they didn’t have any evidence and obviously just wanted the girls to back down. Also covid, you cannot go to trial on a zoom call. These girls deserve the peace they have now.

      11
  6. Typical Kenosha DA office taking a peer on peer, juvenile sex act and bringing the guy to adult court. Ok, if he is guilty, his sentence should be as a juvi, not an adult.
    Those victim witness zealots want to hang every guy for as a long as possible. They look for every possible charge too. Don’t get me wrong, if he was 30 and she was 15 I’d hand him too. But this is not the case, 948.093 (Underage Sexual Activity-a misdemeanor) should apply to one of those charges.

    6
    11
    1. he sexually assaulted girls since middle school, hence the sentencing. it would’ve been different if it was his first offense. Unfortunately this was his 4th and 5th.

  7. WTH! This lawyer and this kid’s family should be ashamed. Only called two defense witnesses both of whom were relatives. Why didn’t this family do more to protect this kid? Now they want to “bring him home”? Please. Commissary money. Game over for him.

    3
    1
    1. If only you know what that family went through, they have done more than enough to protect this kid. If you keep running your mouth it’s gonna be game over for you so shut your mouth unless you know the whole story.

      1
      8
      1. Prosecutor had to have enough to charge
        Here say is not enough – this was a long time on the making
        Check the court record
        Should have done better.

      2. the problem started with the parenting and then continued with him continuing to get let off easy for doing these terrible things

        11
      3. “if only you knew what his FAMILY went through?!!!! “ wow.

        If only you knew what his victims went through with the CONSTANT harassment from his family and girlfriend these past 4 years. It’s disgusting to see the amount of support this guy got with 9 allegations. Unfortunately, the 7 other girls were too scared to press charges and speak up at court because of the reputation his family has for being fucking nutjobs and going above and beyond to support their rapist family member . But hey, you know the whole story, right?

        14
        0
        1. The Tsakonas family is a bunch of coke sniffing, trifling ass b*tches. The alcoholic mom actively harassed these young girls throughout their high school careers, which resulted in severe bullying/rumors/social media posts etc…. I watched this whole case from start-finish. Imagine paying 2 lawyers and all these court fees for a 5 year case, just to go in debt and his ass still landed in jail. Hope mommy has your commissary, although ramen won’t stop a broom stick up your ass.

          12
          1
      4. “They have done more than enough to protect this kid” when they should have been protecting others FROM this “kid”

  8. C’mon you guys. Kmiec is not the shittiest attorney in town. You can go much worse than K man. Kmiec is a class C. Unfortunately there are attorneys Class D out there.

  9. I love how this up with all the crap people are saying about this kid, but Anthony Kanabay murdered someone and that article was taken down.

  10. Every one has an opinion
    What’s done is done
    Time to accept this new reality
    Maybe he will be exonerated one day if he’s truly innocent.

    2
    1
  11. One more POS off the streets!! Hope he’s waking the hell up now suffering mentally the rest of his life like his victims are!!
    Enjoy James , Happy Holidays

    12
    1
    1. The whole family is messed up in their sexual relations. Both the mother and father are cheaters, getting it from whoever they want, the son is a rapist, taking it from whoever he wants and the daughter is quick to lay down with men twice her age. It’s no wonder why his only witnesses were family members.

      8
      2
  12. This is clearly an extremely troubled individual, and thinking it would be okay to work with special needs kids when facing these charges, who allowed that to happen, he is where he should be and I’m happy the girls have gotten justice, but when will the parents see their day in court. Rape accusations at the mere age of 13 and they turned a blind eye when they knew it could potentially happen again. The signs were there. They looked the other way.

  13. Wow . Shudda took the plea — but I get why he fought it because even with the plea you are a registered sex offender the rest of your life

  14. Dude I’m just now reading this &’ am a friend of the mothers and all I can say is, first off anyone talking shit about the family is wrong and I hope you’re never in this type of situation. To sit and laugh at someone’s pain is silly because that could be you in blink of an instant.
    Second, his lawyer should’ve had him take the plea deal.
    Third, don’t underestimate how far young jealous little girls will go to try and destroy someone’s life.

    2
    8
    1. Being a friend of the mothers I’m sure you only heard one side of the story. As a friend of the mothers you know how often she frequents the bar drinking and drugging leaving her children to do whatever they want or in this case whoever they want. If anything she should be sitting right there with him.

  15. Let’s not point blame at the mother. I don’t care what she does in her free time. You can be an amazing parent and your child can still make horrible decisions. I’ve seen it many times. Be carful pointing the finger. That shit comes back to you

  16. As for it being in her house
    This shit could’ve happened in any parents home. Kids are sneaky at that age. You think being strict would’ve prevented this? Strict creates even MORE sneaky.

    1. strict doesn’t matter in this case she never was. she condoned everything her children did. Her kids ran around with drugs weed vapes alcohol you name it. the mom is a drunk. dad isn’t in the picture he has animal abuse charges and felonies. and the stepdad is an also a violent drunk. just a fucked up family

      6
      1
  17. rapist son, coke head mommy, abusive daddy, and a nasty treesh daughter. this is why they needa keep abortion legal. just a waste of space

    7
    1
  18. rapist son, coke head mommy, abusive daddy, and a nasty treesh daughter. this is why they needa keep abortion legal. just a waste of space !

    6
    1
  19. i love the tsakonas kids🫶🏼 all yall trifling🤚🏻yall sound so dumb talkin bout james family members like yall know shit abt em🤚🏻 #justiceforjames #jesuslovesyou

  20. I was in prison with this guy he was my cellmate for a month,,,, he swore up and down that he went away for a drive by shooting,,, to look cool probably,,,,,,,and looking at his cases he should’ve just been upfront this was a 5 year old case from when he was a minor that just got tossed on him at the age of 20,,,,,, the fact he had a legit cover story got me thinking he actually did it tho no remorse,,,, and to think if he would of took the plea deal u never would of met him in prison he’d be a free man,,,,, Pride is the downfall of liars forreal

Add a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

LATEST NEWS
Plus +

Genoa City Man Accused Of Planting GPS Tracker On Ex-Girlfriend’s Vehicle Faces Felony Stalking Charge

Phillip J. Bryant, 52, of Genoa City(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) WHEATLAND, Wis. — A 52-year-old Genoa City man accused of stalking his former girlfriend by allegedly tracking her movements with a GPS device turned himself in Friday and immediately saw his bail slashed by Court Commissioner William “Bargain Bail Billy” Michel II. Phillip J. Bryant, 52, of Genoa City(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You

Plus +

Drunk Driver Accused Of High-Speed Crash, Swinging At Officer Faces Felony Charges In Pleasant Prairie

Bryan A. Ward, 45, of Crossville, Tennessee(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. — A Tennessee man is facing felony charges after police say he caused a high-speed crash while “super drunk” and then attempted to punch an officer at the scene, according to a newly filed criminal complaint. Court Commissioner William “Bargain Bail Billy” Michel II set a $5,000 cash bond during

City Of Kenosha Launches Public Workshops To Shape 2050 Comprehensive Plan

KENOSHA, Wis. — City officials are inviting residents to help shape the future of Kenosha through a series of public workshops aimed at guiding development, infrastructure, and investment decisions over the next 25 years. The workshops are part of the city’s effort to build its 2050 Comprehensive Plan, a long-range roadmap that will influence everything from housing and transportation to economic growth and

Plus +

Kenosha Man Sentenced To 2 Years In Prison In Major Fentanyl, Cocaine And Gun Case After Police Found Drugs Accessible To Children

Robert C. Daniel, 40, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha man police say admitted to storing fentanyl pills, cocaine, marijuana, a firearm and more than $30,000 in cash inside a home where two young children were present was sentenced Thursday by Judge Heather Iverson to two years in prison. Robert C. Daniel, 40, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You

Plus +

Kenosha Repeat Domestic Abuser Charged With Felony Battery After Allegedly Punching Sister, Smashing Mother’s Windshield; $2,500 Cash Bail Set

Isiah M. Christopher, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A 25-year-old Kenosha man accused of punching his sister in the face and damaging his mother’s vehicle was given a $2,500 cash bail Friday by Court Commissioner William “Bargain Bail Billy” Michel II after prosecutors said the incident unfolded just before he reported to probation. Isiah M. Christopher, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s

Keys to Kenosha Launches: Citywide Event to Open Doors to 50+ Hidden Gems This Fall

KENOSHA, Wis. — A new citywide event will give residents and visitors rare, behind-the-scenes access to some of Kenosha’s most interesting and often inaccessible spaces, as officials announced the launch of “Keys to Kenosha,” a self-guided architectural and cultural tour set for Saturday, Nov. 7. The inaugural event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and feature more than 50 locations across

Plus +

Kenosha Man Who Skipped Court, Triggering Warrant, Accused Of Threatening Officer At McDonald’s — $5,000 Cash Bail Set After Arrest

Raveon Onshrae Slater, 31, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha man who previously failed to appear in court—triggering a bench warrant and forfeiture of his bond—was arrested Friday morning and brought before Court Commissioner William “Bargain Bail Billy” Michel II, who set a $5,000 cash bail in a case where he’s accused of threatening a police officer during a

Plus +

Kenosha Man Accused Of Beating Girlfriend, Breaking $1,000 Phone Arrested On $7,500 Warrant, Faces Multiple Felonies

Tabione Deon Young, 22, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A 22-year-old Kenosha man accused of assaulting his girlfriend, holding her against her will, and smashing her cell phone was arrested Friday morning on a $7,500 warrant previously issued by Court Commissioner William “Bargain Bail Billy” Michel II. Tabione Deon Young, 22, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged

Kenosha Civic Veterans Parade Applications Due May 29 As City Prepares For 250th-Themed Celebration

KENOSHA, Wis. — Organizers are calling on community groups, businesses, and performers to sign up for one of the city’s most anticipated summer traditions, as applications for the 2026 Kenosha Civic Veterans Parade are now open and due by May 29. The annual parade, presented by Snap-on, is scheduled for June 28 and will feature the theme “United States Celebrates 250 Years,” highlighting

Plus +

Kenosha Man Repeatedly Passed Fake $50 Bills At Dollar General, Kwik Trip, Now Facing Felony Charges

Samuel Brantley Sr., 59, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha man accused of repeatedly passing counterfeit $50 bills at local businesses was brought into court on a warrant and given a $2,500 cash bond by Court Commissioner William “Bargain Bail Billy” Michel II, setting the stage for a felony case tied to multiple incidents late last year. Samuel Brantley

Kenosha Police Digital Forensics Officer Earns Elite National Honors for High-Tech Crime-Fighting Work

KENOSHA, Wis. — In a world where nearly every crime leaves a digital trail, one Kenosha Police officer has quietly become one of the most important figures behind the scenes — and his work is now drawing national recognition. Officer Rusten Sheskey, a member of the Kenosha Police Department’s digital forensics unit, has been honored as a Top Forensic Examiner, placing him among

Kenosha Police Email Problems Raise Concerns As City Hall Stays Silent

KENOSHA, Wis. — The Kenosha Police Department’s email system has reportedly been unreliable for weeks, creating potential communication problems between the public and officers, detectives and command staff. Kenosha County Eye was told that police department employees are receiving emails only about 75% of the time. That means some messages may be getting through, while others may not be delivered at all. Unverified

KUSD Signals Return to Referendum Ballot After April 28 Meeting

KENOSHA, Wis. — Just months after voters rejected a $115 million referendum, Kenosha Unified School District officials are already preparing to ask taxpayers for more money—this time potentially as soon as November. During the Tuesday, April 28, 2026 school board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Weiss made the district’s intentions clear. “What we’re hoping to get from the board… is a direction on whether

Racine County Eye Fundraising Efforts Draw Scrutiny After Limited Support and New Claims

RACINE, Wis. — Racine County Eye, which has no affiliation whatsoever with Kenosha County Eye, is a Racine-based blog founded in 2013 by Denise Lockwood (D) and is facing new questions after multiple fundraising efforts have yielded minimal public support while introducing claims of tax-deductible donations. As previously reported, Lockwood issued an urgent appeal in late March stating the blog needed to raise

Plus +

Woman Accused Of Secretly Euthanizing Husband’s Dog, Lying About Its Death To Avoid Getting Caught

Maura A. Atwood, 32, of Pleasant Prairie(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. — A Pleasant Prairie woman is facing criminal charges after investigators say she arranged for her husband’s dog to be euthanized without permission, then lied about how the animal died in an apparent effort to cover it up. Her husband filed for divorce a couple of weeks ago. Atwood was

Plus +

Boyfriend In Bestiality Case Now Charged With Child Exploitation, Accused Of Paying For Videos; $100K Bail Set

Jerry D. Lapenta II, 33, of Burlington(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA COUNTY, Wis. — The boyfriend of a Pleasant Prairie woman already charged with multiple felony counts of sexual contact with an animal is now facing even more serious accusations of his own—this time involving a child—after investigators say the same case led them to a much broader and more disturbing operation. Court

Steil Names Racine Vietnam Veteran “Sister Sarge” as First District Veteran of the Year

RACINE, Wis. — A Racine woman who served in Vietnam and later dedicated decades of her life to helping fellow veterans cope with trauma has been named the First Congressional District’s 2025 Veteran of the Year. U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil announced that Sister Linda “Sister Sarge” McClenahan, a Vietnam War veteran and longtime advocate for veterans’ mental health, received the honor following a

Congressional Candidate Peter Burgelis Launches 21-Stop Listening Tour, Including Multiple Kenosha Stops

KENOSHA, Wis. — A Democratic candidate for Congress is set to make multiple stops in Kenosha this weekend as part of a multi-day tour focused on rising costs and economic concerns across southeastern Wisconsin. Peter Burgelis, who is running for Wisconsin’s First Congressional District, announced a four-day “Who’s Better Off These Days?” listening tour that will include 21 stops across communities including Racine,

Plus +

Bargain Bail Billy Gives No-Cash Bail To Man Charged With 2nd OWI With Children In Car, Despite Prior Kidnapping Prison Sentence

David L. Hayden, 36, of Racine(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A Racine man with a prior kidnapping conviction who previously served prison time is now accused of driving drunk through Kenosha with multiple young children in his vehicle — and was released on no-cash bail by Court Commissioner William “Bargain Bail Billy” Michel II. David L. Hayden, 36, of Racine(Kenosha County

Plus +

Racine Woman Accused Of Driving Without A License Turns I-94 Stop Into Kicking, Screaming Showdown With Deputies While On Bond

Marquea V. Turner, 29, of Racine(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. — A Racine woman already out on bond for the exact same offense is now facing six new criminal charges after deputies say she turned a routine traffic stop on Interstate 94 into a chaotic, physical standoff that slowed traffic and ended with her being forcibly removed from her vehicle. Marquea

Plus +

Nike Outlet Theft Duo Charged With Felony After Returning to Scene; ‘Bargain Bail Billy’ Sets $750 Bail Despite $10K Request

Marron R. Smothers, 47, (Top), and Chemille L. Barrs, 48, both of Milwaukee(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. — Two Milwaukee defendants accused of working together to steal more than $1,000 worth of merchandise from the Nike Factory Outlet are now facing felony charges after allegedly returning to the same store days later, where police identified and confronted them. Court Commissioner William

Plus +

Kenosha Man Arrested After Nearly 9 Years on the Run, Faces Multiple Felony Cases and Mounting Bail

Rafael Osorio-Pedraza, 31, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha man who authorities say avoided court for nearly a decade is now back in custody after being arrested April 29 and brought before Court Commissioner William “Bargain Bail Billy” Michel II, who set thousands of dollars in cash bail across multiple long-dormant cases. Rafael Osorio-Pedraza, 31, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s

Kenosha County Extends Free Well Testing After Flooding Along Fox River

KENOSHA COUNTY, Wis. — Residents impacted by recent flooding along the Fox River and other parts of Kenosha County now have additional time to ensure their drinking water is safe, as county health officials have extended free well-testing services through May 8. Kenosha County Public Health is urging homeowners with private wells in flood-affected areas to take advantage of the program, warning that

Plus +

Man Shot in Columbus Park Parking Lot Wednesday; Multiple Victims Reported, Suspect Fled in White Vehicle

Kenosha Police(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye) KENOSHA, Wis. — A man was shot in the parking lot of Columbus Park late Wednesday afternoon in a chaotic scene that prompted a large police response, with officers reporting multiple possible victims and scrambling to lock down the area after the suspect fled. You must be logged in to view the rest of

LATEST NEWS
Plus +

Genoa City Man Accused Of Planting GPS Tracker On Ex-Girlfriend’s Vehicle Faces Felony Stalking Charge

Phillip J. Bryant, 52, of Genoa City(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) WHEATLAND, Wis. — A 52-year-old Genoa City man accused of stalking his former girlfriend by allegedly tracking her movements with a GPS device turned himself in Friday and immediately saw his bail slashed by Court Commissioner William “Bargain Bail Billy” Michel II. Phillip J. Bryant, 52, of Genoa City(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You

Plus +

Drunk Driver Accused Of High-Speed Crash, Swinging At Officer Faces Felony Charges In Pleasant Prairie

Bryan A. Ward, 45, of Crossville, Tennessee(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. — A Tennessee man is facing felony charges after police say he caused a high-speed crash while “super drunk” and then attempted to punch an officer at the scene, according to a newly filed criminal complaint. Court Commissioner William “Bargain Bail Billy” Michel II set a $5,000 cash bond during

City Of Kenosha Launches Public Workshops To Shape 2050 Comprehensive Plan

KENOSHA, Wis. — City officials are inviting residents to help shape the future of Kenosha through a series of public workshops aimed at guiding development, infrastructure, and investment decisions over the next 25 years. The workshops are part of the city’s effort to build its 2050 Comprehensive Plan, a long-range roadmap that will influence everything from housing and transportation to economic growth and

Plus +

Kenosha Man Sentenced To 2 Years In Prison In Major Fentanyl, Cocaine And Gun Case After Police Found Drugs Accessible To Children

Robert C. Daniel, 40, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha man police say admitted to storing fentanyl pills, cocaine, marijuana, a firearm and more than $30,000 in cash inside a home where two young children were present was sentenced Thursday by Judge Heather Iverson to two years in prison. Robert C. Daniel, 40, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You

Plus +

Kenosha Repeat Domestic Abuser Charged With Felony Battery After Allegedly Punching Sister, Smashing Mother’s Windshield; $2,500 Cash Bail Set

Isiah M. Christopher, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A 25-year-old Kenosha man accused of punching his sister in the face and damaging his mother’s vehicle was given a $2,500 cash bail Friday by Court Commissioner William “Bargain Bail Billy” Michel II after prosecutors said the incident unfolded just before he reported to probation. Isiah M. Christopher, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s

Keys to Kenosha Launches: Citywide Event to Open Doors to 50+ Hidden Gems This Fall

KENOSHA, Wis. — A new citywide event will give residents and visitors rare, behind-the-scenes access to some of Kenosha’s most interesting and often inaccessible spaces, as officials announced the launch of “Keys to Kenosha,” a self-guided architectural and cultural tour set for Saturday, Nov. 7. The inaugural event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and feature more than 50 locations across

Plus +

Kenosha Man Who Skipped Court, Triggering Warrant, Accused Of Threatening Officer At McDonald’s — $5,000 Cash Bail Set After Arrest

Raveon Onshrae Slater, 31, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha man who previously failed to appear in court—triggering a bench warrant and forfeiture of his bond—was arrested Friday morning and brought before Court Commissioner William “Bargain Bail Billy” Michel II, who set a $5,000 cash bail in a case where he’s accused of threatening a police officer during a

Plus +

Kenosha Man Accused Of Beating Girlfriend, Breaking $1,000 Phone Arrested On $7,500 Warrant, Faces Multiple Felonies

Tabione Deon Young, 22, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A 22-year-old Kenosha man accused of assaulting his girlfriend, holding her against her will, and smashing her cell phone was arrested Friday morning on a $7,500 warrant previously issued by Court Commissioner William “Bargain Bail Billy” Michel II. Tabione Deon Young, 22, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) You must be logged

Kenosha Civic Veterans Parade Applications Due May 29 As City Prepares For 250th-Themed Celebration

KENOSHA, Wis. — Organizers are calling on community groups, businesses, and performers to sign up for one of the city’s most anticipated summer traditions, as applications for the 2026 Kenosha Civic Veterans Parade are now open and due by May 29. The annual parade, presented by Snap-on, is scheduled for June 28 and will feature the theme “United States Celebrates 250 Years,” highlighting

Plus +

Kenosha Man Repeatedly Passed Fake $50 Bills At Dollar General, Kwik Trip, Now Facing Felony Charges

Samuel Brantley Sr., 59, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha man accused of repeatedly passing counterfeit $50 bills at local businesses was brought into court on a warrant and given a $2,500 cash bond by Court Commissioner William “Bargain Bail Billy” Michel II, setting the stage for a felony case tied to multiple incidents late last year. Samuel Brantley

Kenosha Police Digital Forensics Officer Earns Elite National Honors for High-Tech Crime-Fighting Work

KENOSHA, Wis. — In a world where nearly every crime leaves a digital trail, one Kenosha Police officer has quietly become one of the most important figures behind the scenes — and his work is now drawing national recognition. Officer Rusten Sheskey, a member of the Kenosha Police Department’s digital forensics unit, has been honored as a Top Forensic Examiner, placing him among

Kenosha Police Email Problems Raise Concerns As City Hall Stays Silent

KENOSHA, Wis. — The Kenosha Police Department’s email system has reportedly been unreliable for weeks, creating potential communication problems between the public and officers, detectives and command staff. Kenosha County Eye was told that police department employees are receiving emails only about 75% of the time. That means some messages may be getting through, while others may not be delivered at all. Unverified

KUSD Signals Return to Referendum Ballot After April 28 Meeting

KENOSHA, Wis. — Just months after voters rejected a $115 million referendum, Kenosha Unified School District officials are already preparing to ask taxpayers for more money—this time potentially as soon as November. During the Tuesday, April 28, 2026 school board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Weiss made the district’s intentions clear. “What we’re hoping to get from the board… is a direction on whether

Racine County Eye Fundraising Efforts Draw Scrutiny After Limited Support and New Claims

RACINE, Wis. — Racine County Eye, which has no affiliation whatsoever with Kenosha County Eye, is a Racine-based blog founded in 2013 by Denise Lockwood (D) and is facing new questions after multiple fundraising efforts have yielded minimal public support while introducing claims of tax-deductible donations. As previously reported, Lockwood issued an urgent appeal in late March stating the blog needed to raise

Plus +

Woman Accused Of Secretly Euthanizing Husband’s Dog, Lying About Its Death To Avoid Getting Caught

Maura A. Atwood, 32, of Pleasant Prairie(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. — A Pleasant Prairie woman is facing criminal charges after investigators say she arranged for her husband’s dog to be euthanized without permission, then lied about how the animal died in an apparent effort to cover it up. Her husband filed for divorce a couple of weeks ago. Atwood was

Plus +

Boyfriend In Bestiality Case Now Charged With Child Exploitation, Accused Of Paying For Videos; $100K Bail Set

Jerry D. Lapenta II, 33, of Burlington(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA COUNTY, Wis. — The boyfriend of a Pleasant Prairie woman already charged with multiple felony counts of sexual contact with an animal is now facing even more serious accusations of his own—this time involving a child—after investigators say the same case led them to a much broader and more disturbing operation. Court

Categories
Archives
Authors

Wake Up to What You Missed

Get notified of new articles. We'll never share your email address.