Kenosha County DA’s Office Dismisses Serious Cases Against Powerful Racine Man And His Wife

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James (Jay) Kerner (46) and Tiana Kerner (43)
(Social Media)

Today, at the direction of Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Graveley (D), a Kenosha County prosecutor dropped serious charges against the former Racine Emergency Management Director and his Wife. Jamie McClendon, the attorney for the alleged victim, told the judge that neither Graveley nor Gaertner would communicate with her. She objected to the charges being dismissed. The alleged victim also pleaded for the charges not to be dismissed. The judge dismissed the charges anyway.

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Graveley (D) and his Assistant District Attorney Emily Gaertner have been very soft on the duo since the beginning. Gravely and Gaertner both charged the Kerners on March 20, 2023 – James, with 10 felonies, and Tiana, with 20. The two prosecutors took steps to keep the two out of jail, by not issuing a warrant or having them arrested, but instead, sending them summons in the mail.

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The 30 pages in the criminal complaints detail allegations that are as bad as they get. James (Jay) Kerner (46) and his wife, Tania Kerner (43), both of Mt. Pleasant, WI, were facing 86 and 189 years in prison respectively. Jay Kerner was fired as the director of emergency management for Racine County shortly after the allegations were made. He was a high-ranking employee with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections before that.

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According to the criminal complaints, on October 13, 2022, a scared 13-year-old little girl told her friend’s Mom that over the last three years, she had been physically and sexually abused by her 43-year old stepmother, Tiana. She told her friend that she didn’t want to go home. She had visible bruises. She detailed physical abuse including being beaten with a hammer and wooden pole, being strangled to the point of losing consciousness, and being waterboarded. She also said Tiana would have her 16-year-old brother punch her in the face. She also said that Tiana made her and her brother commit incest as a way to dissuade them from reporting the abuse.

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A female officer arrived at the friend’s house and witnessed numerous bruises all over the little girl’s body. Police made contact with James, and he denied any abuse.

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The 13-year-old went to a Child Advocacy Center to be interviewed by child interview specialists. She spoke about being hit in the neck with a pole so hard that everything went black. She was beaten with a hammer on her foot. She was forced to eat canned tuna, canned vegetables, spicy ramen noodles and cold Spaghetti O’s as punishment. She described being water-boarded in the shower by Tiana as well. She then went on to explain how Tiana would strangle her until she blacked out. Tiana would then make fun of her because she would “twitch” when blacking out. She would describe losing consciousness, awaking, and seeing stars. Tiana made her and her brother “make out” and later made the two touch each other’s genitals. Tiana also held a lighter under the 13-year-old’s genitals and the 16-year-old’s genitals.

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Police recovered cell phone evidence and video evidence that corroborated many of the allegations. A search warrant conducted of the home also corroborated many of the allegations.

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There are allegations of instances of direct abuse from Jay Kerner as well, although not as much as Tiana. He was likely charged for allegedly allowing this to occur in his presence.

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Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Gravley (D)
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Assistant District Attorney Emily Gaertner (D)
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Since there was a supposed conflict of interest in this case, the Pleasant Prairie Police Department handled the second half of the investigation. The Racine DA, Patricia Hanson (D), also recused herself and asked Kenosha County DA Mike Graveley (D) to handle the charging on this case. Graveley appointed Assistant District Attorney Emily Gaertner (D) as special prosecutor.

Patricia Hanson (D) – Racine County District Attorney

Today, Gaertner dismissed both cases. KCE emailed Graveley and Gaertner to see if the two were wrongly charged, or if the two were getting “free passes.” No response. KCE believes, based on voluminous evidence, that The Kenosha and Racine County DA’s send cases to each other when they want cases treated “lightly.”

Under the United States Constitution, the Kerners are considered innocent.

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88 Responses

  1. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. Our children are not safe in Kenosha. Carli McNeill just gave a pedophile with tons and tons of child porn probation.

    XAVIER SOLIS FOR DISTRICT ATTORNEY

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  2. Innocently scrolling, reading the article, then- BAM- Hanson’s fugly mug is there.

    Not cool, Kevin. Not mighty whitey of you.

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  3. Something doesn’t add up.

    In Wisconsin victims have a right to consult with the prosecutor in a criminal case and prosecutors have the duty to confer with victims. This does not give victims veto power over plea bargains but something doesn’t square here if what the victim’s lawyer says is correct.

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  4. Fuck these assholes. This is almost some Dahmer or Gacy type shit. Kevin should get a hold of Fox News and make this a national story. Those bastards deserve to reap what they’ve sown. If they’re guilty they should get used to heat and the smell of sulfur!

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  5. If Deputy DA Crooked Carli McNeill stays in charge of the District Attorney’s Office, child predators will go after our sons and daughters

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    1. FUCK THIS BROKEN ASS SYSTEM AND FUCK ALL LIBTARDED DUMOCRATIC SCUMBAGS!!! ESPECIALLY FUCK ALL LAWYERS WHO SPEND MOST OF THEIR TIME ON FACEBOOK!!! GO TRUMP ✊️

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  6. That is one UGLY human, inside and out. I can’t imagine how scary that ugly thing looks doing those horrible deeds on her own kids. It’s a horror movie.

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  7. This doesn’t surprise me at all these libtarded dumocratic assholes are fucking up our system and not to mention “society”! Fuck them all!!!! GO TRUMP ✊️

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    1. You do realize, moron, that the Racine DA is a Republican, and so are the two who were charged, as Racine County is run by Republicans.

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      1. Lots of Racine “Republicans” behave more like democrats. Robin Vos, Van Wanggard, Pat Hanson, Chris Schmaling (who used to be decent until Vos got his grip on him), Dave DeGroot, everyone on the Mt. Pleasannt Village Board, and most everyone on the other town & village boards. The “R” is meaningless when they act like a “D” (in more ways than one ☠️)

        Watch Nedweski. She’s in Vos’ hands. She will turn that way, too, inevitably.

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      2. Two wings of the same bird. There is no political solution. Look at Europe right now. That’s us in a couple years. It’s Weimar all over again….

      3. Bahahahahaahahahaaaa. Thanks for the laugh. “Racine run by Republicans “. Well that’s 💯 not true. And DA may attempt to court Republicans during election times because those on the right actually support punishing criminals, but actions say otherwise. Racine is run by liberal degenerates!

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      4. Stop 👋🏼 supporting 👋🏼 party 👋🏼 politicians 👋🏼

        Neither the GOP or the Dem parties or their supported candidates care about you, your families, the municipalities, counties, state, nation, or world. They care about money— and not really the economy, but their OWN money. That’s it. If you want a politician in office who gives a shit, vote for someone that everyone is saying isn’t a viable candidate.

        Ask yourself why the parties are supporting Hovde over Raveendran— money. He has it, while she has integrity, goals, and a moral compass. How has Robin Vos remained in office for this long, when he really hasn’t done anything good, besides form & fund Dark Money groups. What about Steil? Why— he’s essentially been worthless as a representative. Why Kleefisch over any of the other candidates, and then why Michels instead of Ramthun?

        Why did Tyler August move out of Nedweski’s new district, and push Schutt out? Why did Schutt drop out?

        Money.

        Stop ✋🏼 supporting ✋🏼 parties ✋🏼 and ✋🏼 party ✋🏼 candidates ✋🏼

        #KellyForD33
        #rejaniraveendran

        1. Vote for non-viable candidates?!? You must want to hand it to the Democrats. You may not like it, but Republican candidates have to have the ability to BEAT Democrats in a general election. The dems have gobs of $$$. It takes $$$ to win. It is NOT smart to vote for a candidate who does not have access to $$ (self funded or through donors). They have to actually be able to win!! Like it or not it’s reality.

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          1. WE the PEOPLE need to take back OUR nation from the corrupt parties & party politicians. If you support either of the parties, you’re not part of the problem, you’re the whole effing dumpster fire.

          2. This is completely opposite of the foundations on which our forefathers built this great nation. You do realize that you sound a bit like someone who is fine with the leaders of the left selecting their candidate, right?

            The idea that we should put the rich in place over the average American is elitist and just plain anti-American. You sound like one of the very demented party leaders who believe that they choose who runs- so completely different than how the USA was built.

            No. Voting for people because they have money and donor money is what has gotten us into this massive clusterfuck. It’s time to STOP doing that, and STOP listening to imbeciles like you who have gotten us into a situation where the Average American has zero say, and one party can completely disregard their primary and select their candidate based on who the party wants. People like you- even if you think you’re a Republican- people like YOU have empowered a party to believe that is ok.

            Go ahead, call me a Democrat, because in reality, calling me a Republican is just as big an insult lately. I’m a fiscal and social conservative. I’m a pro-life, pro-2A, pro-constitution AMERICAN who is PISSED.

        2. Just stop it. Are you a Democrat?
          We have to win back our Country in November. This doesn’t help. It’s counter productive!

        3. You should do your research. Because steil has done a lot of wonderful things for Wisconsin and he continues to do so. And whoever made that comment about Schmaling…You do not know what you are talking about at all…. Don’t get on your soap box until you know some true facts.

          1. In August, 2022, a video was made of Adam Steen “stealing” a Vos sign. It was shared around social media, and a professional media editor got his hands on it and was able to analyze it. He was able to prove it was faked. A small amount of investigation proved who was behind it— and this was brought to Schmaling. He said he would have someone look into it. The next day, he announced his support for Vos, and the investigation was dead in the water.
            Schmaling isn’t the guy you think he is.

      1. You watch too much news! Do you believe All that democrat media coverage. It’s
        A shame that we have to vote for a felon But do you want the next 4 years to be like this last 4 years Where we can’t even afford to go to the grocery store or fill up our tanks.

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  8. Upside for Pat Hansen is she/he/it can now compete in Olympic boxing and win simply by scaring the living crap out of her opponent!

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  9. A complete Explanation !!!! of why these charges were dropped is owed to the victim if not also to the public !!!

    These people answer to US !!!

    What DEAL was made ???

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  10. This is Unacceptable! someone has to step in and go over Gravely and Gaertner’s heads and put these two menaces in prison. What happened to the children? Are they still there being abused? how can this happen here? How can these imbeciles who WORK FOR US let these people off the hook? how? Surely something can be done. This is the worst miscarriage of justice I have ever seen

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      1. Maybe you can let me know if I’m understanding this right, so the son turned 18 in late April and wanted the dad and stepmom to have their bond conditions changed so he could move in with them, and as of August 2nd the state doesn’t believe they can meet their burden of proof on ANY of the counts in the charges? None of them?

        They were only ever accused, but the charging document included the younger child with a different mother who was there one day a week and every 4 weekends saying they didn’t have a camera in their room but the other 2 kids had a camera in their room or right outside of it. Shame on arlo for not following the preservation order or telling the police in advance that there would be an issue. If the daughter wanted this tried still, even though it sounds like her brother may have testified the opposite way, why not let the jury weigh the credibility of the kids? That’s a horrific situation to put potential victims in, and the previously accused would have spent a lot of their money on lawyers for a jury trial, but if you thought it was enough to charge them until your office got embarrassed for yet another instance of not proving your case in chief, did you only drop it to avoid embarrassment? This is going to come back to bite the taxpayers, because he was fired for the allegations while still presumed innocent. Just watch, there will be a wrongful termination lawsuit now that all of the charges were dismissed.

  11. What judge okayed this deal?
    A judge can’t also be a prosecutor, but I think Bruce Schroeder would have raised questions and held further hearings demanding answers.
    This little girl will never get her day in court.
    If she grows up and goes Rambo on that stepmother I bet the Carli crew will be there to persecute them, crystal kizer style!
    Solis for DA!

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  12. C’MON ALREADY…..charges dropped?…..between this case And pedo boy, this isn’t justice, it’s bullshit. I’m so fed up. Let’s see the reason for them being dropped?…the DAs between here and Racine should be brought up on charges as well as the judge who was involved, How CAN WE HAVE FAITH IN The JUSTICE SYSTEM IF THE SYSTEM Stabs US IN THE BACK?…oh they will get theirs alright, just watch people….let us thank John Lennon for Instant Karma

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  13. The DA’s should be removed from office and prosecuted. A nd there should be an investigation of all the cases these two have handed each other.
    The evidence is overwhelming ! There is no way that that case should have been discussed!!!! There were videos of the wrongdoing! How the hell could the case be dismissed, its unbelievable talk about corruption ! This is the worst !!!.

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    1. Kevin you can delete this. I posted this to Joel further up in the comments. He’s trying to hook up with SWM again and now it’s getting weird…

  14. The issue here is why were the charges dismissed.

    There could be a very good reason, such as the purported victim refusing or being unable to testify at this time. Or discovery of evidence that would make the case more difficult to prove. The DA’s office should offer an explanation.

  15. Crooked all the way around! Sounds like a brew of witchcraft snd occultism going around!!! One’s got dirt on the other, or owes the other … so sickening in this system!!! … they all need to go down and be taken out, every single last one of them!!!

  16. I thoroughly understand why everyone is sick and angry over this. I feel the same. If we can’t protect our children, if we can’t get justice for them, then we’re in a lot more trouble than I thought. All of you make very good arguments. However, if we are unable to make our case without criticizing about how they look and/or whether or not someone is gay. It takes away from the arguments. Please refrain from doing that. If you stop you’ll be taken more seriously.

  17. This isn’t Political issue, it’s about 2 children that were abused. Why is this being Dismissed?? Is the system that broken? These poor children will suffer for the rest of there lives if there isn’t justice. I hope something changes and they change there mind. They admit they have evidence. This is sick and sad.

  18. Someone needs to speak to the just turned 18 years old son. He is LYING for them for some reason. Probably promised $$
    But he is definitely lying about not being abused himself and what happened to his sister.

    1. Instead of dismissing all because they felt they couldn’t meet the burden of proof, with the lawyer for the daughter opposing the dismissal, they probably should have let the jury be the finder of fact at that point and had them weigh the credibility of all 3 kids, the teachers, the friends, the cops.

    2. Just watch, the taxpayers are going to be the ones paying for this. The dad will file a wrongful termination lawsuit because the charges were allegations he was presumed innocent of when he was fired. He waited to file anything until the whole thing got dismissed. Whatever settlement happens on that, plus not having to pay 2 lawyers for a jury trial, that’s some $$. The cops should have gotten that interior camera evidence.

    3. I can’t think of any teenage boy who would want the allegations in the charges turned into facts through the court process. Remember, the charges alleged specific details including his stepmom forcing him and his younger sister to make out, his stepmom making his younger sister touch him, and his stepmom holding a lighter below his privates.

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Harborside Commons Senior Apartment HomesFire Chief Dan Tilton (Left) Mayor David Bogdala (R) (Right) KENOSHA, Wis. — While Harborside Commons Senior Apartment Homes Property Manager Melissa provided Kenosha County Eye with a detailed explanation for a recent elevator outage that allegedly left elderly and disabled residents stranded in their apartments for nearly two weeks, neither Mayor David Bogdala nor Fire Chief Dan Tilton

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Money to Colombia, a Kitchen Knife, and a Letter From the Victim: Kenosha Man Held on Felony Strangulation Charge

Julian Camilo Forero-Vargas, 28, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A 28-year-old Kenosha man is facing felony domestic violence charges after police say he choked the mother of his child during an argument over sending money to family members in Colombia, leaving her with scratches on her neck and redness around one eye. Prosecutors charged Julian Camilo Forero-Vargas with felony strangulation

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Wanted Man Hides Under Mattress in Van at McDonald’s Parking Lot After Woman Tells Deputies He’s Not There; Felony Charges Filed Against Both

Joshua Dean Meinen, 43, of Brighton and Sheri Rose Stella, 44 of Lake Geneva(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) PADDOCK LAKE, Wis. — A Brighton man who was allegedly found hiding beneath a mattress inside a van at a McDonald’s parking lot after a woman told deputies he had already left the area saw his felony bail jumping case dismissed Tuesday, apparently due to a

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Third OWI Defendant Who Received No-Cash Bail Skipped Court, Prompting Judge to Order $10,000 Cash Warrant

Richard T. Walters, 45, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — What is the worst that can happen when someone accused of a third drunk-driving offense is released on a no-cash bail? In the case of Richard T. Walters, prosecutors allege the answer included failing to appear in court, failing to comply with a court-ordered drunk-driving supervision program, and ultimately requiring a

Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling Endorses Sandy Wiedmeyer in State Senate Race

KENOSHA, Wis. — Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling has endorsed Sandy Wiedmeyer in her campaign for Wisconsin’s 11th State Senate District, according to a campaign press release issued Tuesday. Wiedmeyer, a Republican and former chairwoman of the Republican Party of Kenosha County, is seeking the seat in advance of the Aug. 11 Republican primary. The 11th Senate District includes all of Walworth County

Drug-Using Therapist And Former Foster Parent Arraigned On Seven Criminal Charges Across Two Cases, Then Posts Mock ‘Kenosha’s Most Wanted’ Photo Online

KENOSHA, Wis. — Jacqueline P. Niccolai, 39, of Kenosha, a therapist and former foster parent, pleaded not guilty June 10 to seven criminal charges across two separate Kenosha County cases and was formally arraigned before the court. Despite the pending criminal cases, Niccolai has continued posting about the prosecutions online, including a recent social media post in which she mocked the proceedings and

Rodriguez Launches Campaign for Kenosha County Clerk of Courts

KENOSHA, Wis. — Zach Rodriguez, a lifelong Kenosha County resident, small business owner, former three-term Kenosha County supervisor, and court services professional, announced Monday that he is running for Kenosha County Clerk of Courts. Rodriguez said he is seeking the office with a commitment to maintaining an efficient, accessible, and transparent court system that serves attorneys, judges, litigants, jurors, crime victims, and the

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Child Pornography Charges Filed Against Salem Lakes Man Out On Bail For Sexual Assault Of 11-Year-Old Girl

Corey Daniel Beckman, 38, of Salem Lakes(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Corey Daniel Beckman, 38, of Salem Lakes, was charged Monday with 12 felony counts, including 10 counts of possession of child pornography and two counts of possession of virtual child pornography, months after he was released on a $75,000 cash bond in a separate case alleging repeated sexual assault of

Leadership Kenosha Extends Application Deadline, Seeks Nonprofit Project Proposals

KENOSHA, Wis. — Leadership Kenosha has extended the application deadline for its upcoming 2026-2027 cohort and is encouraging local residents interested in developing their leadership skills to apply by July 1. The community-based program, operated through the Kenosha Area Chamber of Commerce, also is seeking project proposals from local nonprofit organizations with unmet needs. According to organizers, Leadership Kenosha is designed to connect

Garbage Pickup Will Not Be Delayed During Fourth of July Week, City Says

KENOSHA, Wis. — The City of Kenosha is advising residents that curbside garbage collection will continue on its normal schedule during the week of Independence Day, despite an error printed in the city’s 2026 Garbage, Yard Waste, and Recycling Calendar. According to a press release issued Monday by the Department of Public Works, the original calendar incorrectly showed a delay in collection on

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Gurnee Man Accused of Trashing 15-Year-Old Ex-Girlfriend’s Bedroom, Stealing Designer Items, Then Threatening to Kill Her Family at Dave’s Hot Chicken

Chase Kuhn, 18, of Gurnee, IL(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — An 18-year-old Gurnee, Illinois man is facing a felony charge and five misdemeanor charges after prosecutors allege he threatened to kill his ex-girlfriend and her family at a Kenosha restaurant one day after allegedly breaking into her bedroom in Bristol, trashing the room, stealing designer items, and threatening violence. Court records

Kenosha’s Independence Day Celebrations to Bring Parade, Festival, Fireworks and Major Traffic Changes

KENOSHA, Wis. — Kenosha’s annual Independence Day festivities are set to return over the next two weeks, bringing a veterans parade, a two-day lakefront festival, fireworks over Lake Michigan and significant traffic and parking restrictions throughout the city’s downtown and HarborPark areas. The celebrations begin Sunday, June 28, with the Kenosha Civic Veterans Parade presented by Snap-on. The parade will feature veterans organizations,

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Pit Bull Stabbed to Death, Owner Gets $2,500 Cash Bail After State Sought $7,500

Ahmaud R. Beal, 30 of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha man accused of stabbing an 11-year-old pit bull to death was given a $2,500 cash bond Monday by Liberal Activist Supplemental Court Commissioner Tracey “Low-Bail” Braun, despite prosecutors seeking a $7,500 cash bond. Ahmaud R. Beal, 30, is charged with felony mistreatment of animals as a repeater after authorities

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Racine Motorcyclist Accused of Fleeing 100 MPH Traffic Stop Gets $1,000 Cash Bail After State Sought $7,500

Jaime Hernandez-Rivas, 25, of Racine(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A 25-year-old Racine man accused of fleeing a Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office traffic stop while riding a motorcycle at approximately 100 mph in a 35 mph zone was released Monday on a $1,000 cash bail after prosecutors argued for a bond more than seven times higher. Jaime Hernandez-Rivas, 25, of Racine(Kenosha County

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Hit-and-Run Driver With Prior Felony Case Turns Herself In After Seeing Herself on KCE Following Bus Shelter Crash; Open Alcohol, Suspected Marijuana Found in Vehicle: Video

Hannah M. Hernandez, 22, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha woman with a prior felony criminal case turned herself in to police Sunday evening after seeing herself identified on Kenosha County Eye following a hit-and-run crash that destroyed a bus shelter at Sheridan Road and 65th Street. Photos taken inside the vehicle showed an open alcoholic beverage and what

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Twin Lakes Man Out on $5,000 Cash Bail for Stalking, Drug Charges Accused of Felony Bail Jumping After Interfering With Brother’s OWI Arrest; 79-Year-Old Mother Also Charged

Cian C. Cantwell, 41, and Judith A. Cantwell, Both of Twin Lakes(Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office) KENOSHA, Wis. — Cian C. Cantwell, 41, of Twin Lakes, who was free on a $5,000 cash bail in a felony stalking and cocaine case, is accused of committing new crimes after prosecutors say he interfered with deputies attempting to arrest his brother, Craig C. Cantwell, 47, following

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