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Kenosha Court Commissioner Allegedly Botched Hearing, Violated Defendant’s Rights

KENOSHA, Wis. – Court Commissioner Alexandra Smathers is facing sharp criticism from a veteran criminal defense attorney who alleges she presided over a botched preliminary hearing so riddled with constitutional violations that felony charges may now have to be thrown out. In a recently filed motion, Attorney Michael Cicchini asserted that it was “lawless chaos” after Smathers allowed a felony preliminary hearing to proceed without advising the defendant—whose name KCE is withholding—of his constitutional right to an attorney. Cicchini, who has published extensively about the preliminary hearing and criminal procedure, declined to comment for this article. The State presented its case. The defendant cross-examined the State’s only witness—all without legal counsel. The commissioner then heard arguments from the prosecutor and the defendant. Only then did Smathers acknowledge her mistake: “I

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Trudell Sues Kenosha County Over Arrest at Board Meeting, Alleges Free Speech Retaliation

Joel P. Trudell. 46, of Kenosha Resisting Arrest on June 21, 2022(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye) KENOSHA, Wis. — Liberal activist and failed Kenosha Aldermanic candidate Joel Trudell has filed a civil rights lawsuit against Kenosha County Board Supervisor Gabe Nudo, claiming his 2022 arrest at a County Board meeting was an act of political retaliation that violated his First Amendment rights. Mugshot of Joel P. Trudell. 46, of Kenosha (Kenosha County Sheriff) You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

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Teen Charged With Felony After Fleeing Police on ATV Through Busy Shopping Center

Waylon M. Ware, 17, of Pleasant Prairie in Court Today(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye) PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. – A 17-year-old Pleasant Prairie resident is facing two felony charges after allegedly fleeing police on an ATV through a crowded shopping center parking lot on a Saturday afternoon. You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

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Kenosha Still Waiting To See If Milwaukee DA Will Charge Andy Berg With Embezzlement

Kenosha is waiting, and has been, for almost four months to see if the Milwaukee County District Attorney-Elect, Kent Lovern will charge former County Board Supervisor Andy Berg with Embezzlement. Berg was a County Board Supervisor for eight years. He previously lost elections for Sheriff and Alderman. He never had an opponent until he was defeated this April. Berg also produces amature pornography as “Sergeant Hard” on Jerkmate.com and is the executive director of a non-profit he started called Garden of Eatin. On January 2, 2024, KCE provided Kenosha Police with some bank records that we received from a source. The records appeared to show massive spending that didn’t line up, even remotely, to the mission statement of growing food to feed the poor. A Kenosha Police detective agreed and

Alleged Grooming KUSD Teacher Who Was Allowed To Resign Was Hired, Fired By Lake Forest School District Due To KCE Article

KCE told you on May 1, 2024, that a Kenosha Tremper High School Teacher named Markise Jackson was under criminal investigation and on April 26, 2024 we told you he was allowed to resign in lieu of termination. KCE received Jackson’s personnel file and the police report relating to his conduct. The behavior allegedly displayed by Jackson seems eerily similar to that of the fired and criminally charged Christian Enwright. Since KUSD didn’t fire Jackson, he did what everyone expected him to do – he applied to be an elementary teacher at Cherokee School in Lake Forest, IL. Lake Forest District 67 hired Markise and announced his addition in an email: A parent in Lake Forest named Philippe Melin, found KCE’s article about Markise and alerted the Lake Forest School District to

Career Criminal Catches 6th Felony Case After Having Life Saved By Kenosha Sheriff’s Deputies

*Correction, Trenton was never charged with any crime related to this arrest* A Kenosha man is back in a place he is very used to being – jail. Trenton B. Kmiec, of Salem, was arrested late Friday evening after overdosing on apparent opiates. Kmiec is on felony probation and felony bail for a very serious case out of Fond Du Lac County. At about 9:43 p.m. on Friday evening, Kmiec’s girlfriend signaled a neighbor to call 9-1-1 to report that Kmiec was overdosing and unconscious in his vehicle. His vehicle was in front of his home in the 9000 block of 238th Ave in Salem. It’s a home he shares with his father, Ted Kmiec, who is a criminal defense attorney in Kenosha County. The girlfriend then left the scene

After 30 Years, Homicide Victim Discovered In Pleasant Prairie Has A Name – Robert Dodge

A positive identification has been made in a John Doe homicide investigation from 1993, the Kenosha County Medical Examiner’s Office and the Pleasant Prairie Police Department announced jointly today.Utilizing technology that was not available at the time and with the support of several partner agencies, that individual is now positively identified as Ronald Louis Dodge, born on Dec. 27, 1952, in Keshena, Wis., on the Menominee Indian Reservation. “With the identification now made and Dodge’s remains returned to his family on the Menominee Reservation in northeastern Wisconsin, the Pleasant Prairie Police Department is actively seeking tips for what is now a reopened homicide investigation,” said Chief David Smetana. “The Kenosha County Medical Examiner’s Office remains committed to identifying those individuals who do not have their name,” said Kenosha County Medical

Pleasant Prairie Cold Case Homicide Solved With Arrest, Charge

Pleasant Prairie Police Chief Dave Smetana told KCE today that with many hours of police work, and some tips, there might finally be closure for the family of Joseph Christol of Pleasant Prairie. Christol was found by a friend dead in his own home on 121st Street in Pleasant Prairie on September 16, 2019, just after 5:30pm. According to the criminal complaint, a friend of Christol hadn’t heard from him in three days, so he went to Christol’s house to investigate. His car was there, so he went in through a window. There, he found his friend, who has been deceased for some time. He had a bullet hole in his head and two guns on the floor next to a pool of blood. Police noticed two holes in the

Off-Duty Kenosha Police Officer Saves Child’s Life Sunday, Praised By Chiefs

A Kenosha Police Officers is being hailed as “heroic” by the Chief of the Pleasant Prairie Police Department, and by his own Chief, after he saved a child’s life yesterday. Tyler Cochran, who is a 16 year veteran of the department, also served honorably in the United States Air Force. Cochran saved a child’s life yesterday, while off duty. For privacy reasons, KCE isn’t releasing many details of the medical event. Yesterday, a child was having a life-threatening medical event and Cochran noticed. He assisted with life-saving measures and was able to get a pulse and seemingly, saved the child’s life. KCE spoke with his boss, Police Chief, Pat Patton and Dave Smetana, the Police Chief where the incident took place, in Pleasant Praire. “I learned about the incident and

Milwaukee Man Given Half Million Dollar Bail For Allegedly Stalking Former School Board Member And His Boyfriend, Threatened To Kill A Detective

A Milwaukee man is holding at the Kenosha County Jail on a $500,000 cash bail for more than a year of serious allegations. Paul L. Augustine is facing the following criminal charges: 5 Counts of Felony Stalking 11 Counts of Felony Bail Jumping1 Count of Felony Intimidation of a Witness/Threaten Force, etc.5 Counts of Felony Misappropriate ID Info – Harm Reputation3 Counts of Felony Threats to Communicate Derogatory Info2 Counts of Felony False Reporting of an Emergency (Swatting)3 Misdemeanor Counts of Defamationand4 Counts of Obstructing an Officer If convicted of all charges, Augustine faces almost 150 years in the Wisconsin Prison System. According to the criminal complaint, between May 1, 2023 and March 25, 2024, Augustine intentionally engaged in a course of conduct directed at a specific person to wit

Kenosha Man Arrested, Charged After Threatening To Shoot Family Members For Turning On the A/C

A 67-year-old Kenosha man is free on a $2,500 cash bail after pointing a gun at family members and threatening to kill them for turning on the home’s air conditioner. Kenneth J. Self, 67, of Kenosha was arrested on Monday and charged on Tuesday for Felony Failure to Comply with Officers’ Attempt to Take Person Into Custody, Pointing a Firearm at Another – Domestic Abuse, Resisting an Officer, and Disorderly Conduct – Use of a Dangerous Weapon, Domestic Abuse. Self faces more than five years in the Wisconsin Prison System if convicted of all charges. According to the criminal complaint: On August 19, 2024 at about 5:15 p.m., Kenosha Police were dispatched to a home on the north side of Kenosha . The caller stated that Kenneth Self threatened to

Gateway Veterinary Technician Instructor Received National Industry Award

Gateway Technical College Veterinary Technician instructor Denise Savel was named the recipient of the Margi Sirois Veterinary Technician Educator of the Year Award this year by the Association of Veterinary Technician Educators. The AVTE awards this honor annually in recognition and in the legacy of Margi Sirois, a fierce advocate of advancing veterinary technology and veterinary technician educators. In addition to the honors and accreditations she gained in the field of veterinary medicine, Sirois was a past president of the AVTE and a published author. “I have always liked to teach and learn. Even when I was in the clinical setting, I would do the same thing. I would try to help and mold someone so they could advance,” says Savel. “I love the fact that I can help our

Kemper Center Executive Director, Board President, Ousted – Positive Changes Anticipated With Shakeup: Source

The Kemper Center president and executive director have both been ousted from the organization in the last month, KCE can report. The board also had some four sudden resignations from other board members. The board has now flipped and has a completely new makeup. With all of these changes, Kemper insiders tell KCE that the public can expect more transparency and bold changes that will benefit the center’s mission statement “to preserve the historic nature of our site and buildings, offer programs that promote an understanding of local history and arts, and provide a historic setting for cultural, recreational, and educational activities.” County Board Supervisor Daniel Gaschke, was appointed to be the Kemper Center’s executive director less than five months ago. In this short time, insiders tell us, he did

JD Vance Fires Up Local Conservatives At Civic Park Rally

Senator JD Vance (R), the Vice Presidential Nominee for the Republican Party, visited Kenosha today. The main topic of conversation was public safety. “I want every single child in this country, whether they’re rich or poor, whether they grow up on the right side of the tracks or the wrong side of the tracks – every child deserves to have public safety and that’s what we’re going to do when Donald J. Trump is president,” said Vance Tuesday afternoon. “We’re going to stand up to soft on crime prosecutors. If a police officer does their job and brings in a bad guy, we need some prosecutors who actually lock those people up and put them behind bars. It’s common sense.” Vance continued, “You all know this better than I do,

Chrystul Kizer Gets 11 Years In Prison For Murder Of Pedophile, Arson, Vehicle Theft

A 24-year-old Milwaukee woman was sentenced to 11 years in prison today for the June 5, 2018, murder of pedophile Randall Volar III. Chrystul Kizer, who was 17 years old at the time, also burned Volar’s house down, stole his money and his car. She was also carrying a firearm as a felon. Kenosha County District Attorney Mike Graveley (D) originally charged Kizer with 1st Degree Intentional Homicide, Take and Drive Vehicle w/o Consent, Arson of Building, Bail Jumping, and Being A Felon in Possession of a Firearm. On May 9, 2024, however, Graveley dismissed every charge except of the murder charge, which itself was plead down to Second Degree Reckless Homicide. She went from a mandatory life sentence, if convicted, to a maximum sentence of 30 years. “We in

Vice Presidential Nominee, Senator JD Vance Coming To Kenosha Tuesday

Vice Presidential Nominee, Senator JD Vance is coming To Kenosha Tuesday, August 20, 2024, to hold a press conference on crime and safety. The event will occur at 12:00 pm (CST). Senator Vance will be joined by US Senate Nominee Eric Hovde, Congressman Bryan Steil, and Kenosha County Sheriff David W. Zoerner. The event will occur in front of the Kenosha County Courthouse located at 912 56th Street. . . . . . . . . .

Kaelie Billingsley Crowned Fairest of the Fair: Photos

Kaelie Billingsley was crowned Kenosha County’s 2025 Fairest of the Fair today, August 17, 2024. She competed against three other young adults and landed the number one spot. Jadyn Eisenbraun was the first runner up and now “Fair Royalty.” The county’s first male contestant, Alexander Hannah, took last place today. He was the first male to compete since the event’s inception in 1957. Each contestant was interviewed on a prior day. Today, they each made a “radio advertisement” for the fair and all answered the same two questions. Here are some photos from today’s competition:

Kenosha Career Criminal Holding On $150,000 Cash Bail For Sexual Assault, OWI #4, And Other Felonies

A Kenosha man is facing almost 100 years in prison after being charged today with seven serious felonies and six serious misdemeanors. The crimes allegedly occurred while the career criminal was on bail for three other felony cases. Jason T. Barnhill, 43, of Kenosha was charged today with Felony Second Degree Sexual Assault (Repeater), Felony OWI (4th), Felony False Imprisonment (Repeater), four counts of Felony Bail Jumping, Fourth Degree Sexual Assault, Criminal Trespass (Repeater), two counts of Battery (Repeater), and two counts of Disorderly Conduct (Repeater). *Disturbing allegations and foul language* According to the two criminal complaint filed today in Kenosha County Circuit Court: Yesterday, August 15, 2024, Kenosha Police were summoned to the home of a former girlfriend of Barnhill for multiple crimes. The woman told police that Barnhill

Judge Heather Iverson Installed At Widely-Attended Investiture

Heather Iverson, a long-time Kenosha attorney and court commissioner, was installed as the newest Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge yesterday at the Courthouse. The ceremony, that was standing-room only and overflowed into the hallway was attended by almost two-dozen current and retired judges from across the state, elected officials, dignitaries, family and friends. Iverson handily defeated Kenosha attorney Frank Gagliardi by about 7% this April. She takes over Branch three, succeeding Judge Bruce Schroeder. Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Justin Miller opened the court and commanded silence. This district’s Chief Judge, Wynne P. Laufenberg, introduced the current judges, retired judges, and the elected officials in attendance. Pastor Chip Lutz of Lord of Life Church gave the invocation. Kenosha County Sheriff’s Deputy, Brian Horensky, lead the room in the pledge

Judge Bruce Schroeder: Over 50 Years of Justice and Wisdom

Heather Iverson was sworn in to her elected seat on the circuit court on August 1st, 2024. Today, her investiture will occur at 4pm. She fills a vacancy that was previously held by a legendary member of the Wisconsin court system, Judge Bruce Schroeder, who began his new life in retirement a few months ago. Judge Bruce Schroeder is most popularly known for presiding over the Kyle Rittenhouse case. Some praised him for his handling of the case and others found things to criticize.  Although many have black and white opinions about Judge Schroeder based on that snapshot in time, Kenosha County Eye sat down with him to discover more about the depth and breadth of his career, his character, and some of his personal thoughts now that he is

Kenosha Woman Charged With Felony Mistreatment of Animal For The Death Of An Abandoned Puppy

A Kenosha woman is free on a $1,000 cash bail after being charged yesterday with one felony count of “Mistreatment of An Animal/Cause Death.” Khadijah M. Barker, 26, of Kenosha faces three and-one-half years in the Wisconsin Prison System if convicted. According to the criminal complaint: On August 11, 2024, a Kenosha Police Officer reports he responded to an apartment at 1409 30th Avenue in regards to animal cruelty. Dispatch advised that maintenance had gone into the apartment to inspect for a water leak, and found a puppy corpse in the bathroom of the unit. Upon arrival, the Officer reports he met with a maintenance worker. The maintenance worker reported he entered the unit to look for a water leak coming from this unit and when he opened the door

Pleasant Prairie Man Allegedly Sent Nude Photos To Minor, Asked For Some In Return

A Pleasant Prairie man is locked up today, holding on a $25,000 cash bail. Steven L. Anderson, 62, was charged with “Use of a computer to facilitate a child sex crime,” and “exposing genitals.” He faces a maximum sentence of 40.5 years and a minimum sentence of five years in prison, if convicted of both crimes. According to the criminal complaint: On July 28, 2024, a 15-year-old girl advised that the day before, July 27, 2024, she was at work, when she received a message on Facebook Messenger from Steven L. Andersen, asking her what type of picture she would send him if he asked her for one. She replied she would send Andersen a selfie. Andersen then asked her if she wanted a picture of Andersen’s piercing, and she

Chicago Man Arrested, Charged For Bare-Butt “Twerking,” Possession Of Meth On Metra Train

A Chicago man was charged yesterday with possession of methamphetamine and disorderly conduct for conduct from August 10, 2024. Duane L. Feaster, of Chicago faces more than four years in the Wisconsin Prison System if convicted of both charges. According to the criminal complaint: A Kenosha Police Officer reported that on August 10, 2024 at 12:07 a.m., he was dispatched to the Kenosha Metra Station, located at 5414 13th Avenue, for a disorderly conduct call. The Officer arrived and spoke with the caller, a Metra employee who pointed out the individual causing problems, who was later identified as Duane Feaster. The Metra employee explained that Feaster had been on the train, intentionally exposing his buttocks. Feaster was also “twerking” toward others on the train and groping his genitals in an

Kenosha Man And His “Adventure Tourism” Business Being Sued, Salacious Details Alleged

A Milwaukee woman sued a Kenosha man and his business, Now Outdoors, LLC late last month. The company, according to its website, includes adventure tourism, wilderness first aid, first responder training, international expeditions, public speaking and education. Gordon is also an adjunct professor at University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. According to the nearly 11-page lawsuit: The plaintiff, “Tiffany,” met Nicholas “Nick” Gordon In August of 2023 on a social media app called Meetup. Tiffany, a Milwaukee attorney searched “Backpacking” and found Gordon – the two started to talk. Gordon uses this app to solicit clients for his business. Tiffany went on three adventures with Gordon to Munising, MI, Waupaca, WI, and Medford, WI. She had planned to go to more adventures in Cuzco, Pero, Nepal, Asia, and Tanzania, Africa. Tiffany and

Accused Grooming Teacher Christian Enwright Found Guilty of OWI, License Revoked For Six Months

An embattled Kenosha man named Christian Enwright is awaiting trial for 22 counts of disorderly conduct related to his grooming of a 12 through 14-year-old student. Enwright was fired from KUSD for this behavior. Enwright is also being sued by the family of his victim, who say Enwright was “grooming her for sex.” Enwright was fired and charged only after KCE exposed the miscarriage of justice, followed by other news media. Today, Enwright was found guilty of OWI in Racine County. On February 9, 2023, Enwright was stopped after driving at a high rate of speed and blowing a red light. Racine County Sheriff’s Deputies later learned that Enwright was under the influence of alcohol and blew a .11 BAC. He was taken into custody and booked for OWI. He

Judge Dismisses Serious Charges Against Alleged Child Rapist Half-Way Through Jury Trial

A Kenosha Judge dismissed a serious felony rape charge against a 23-year-old Kenosha man Wednesday. Judge Gerad Dougvillo dismissed the case at the conclusion of the state’s case-in-chief, meaning that he believed that no reasonable jury could conclude there was evidence enough to convict the defendant. David Badillo-Tejeda, 23, of Kenosha was charged on November 28, 2022, with Repeated Sexual Assault of a child. The allegations were serious and included under-the clothes touching of genitals and breasts, and forced oral sex to a family member that started at age four and ended at age six. Badiolo-Tejeda was 14-16 at the time of the allegations. The victim, who was 11 years old when she disclosed the alleged assaults, also named another family member, Michael Badillo as having sexually assaulted her. Michael

Kenosha Sex Offender Convicted Of Three Serious Child Sex Crimes – Took 3.5 Years To Charge

A Kenosha multiple felon and sex offender was convicted yesterday of three counts of 1st Degree Sexual Assault of a Child Under Age 12. He faces a total sentence of 180 years in the Wisconsin Prison System. The Jury of nine men and three women convicted the man after a 2-day trial in which Johnson did not testify in his defense. Johnson was convicted of a felony sex offense in Alabama in 2010. In 2018, he was found guilty of failing to register as a sex offender in Kenosha County. Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Jodi Meier sentenced Johnson to 18 months in prison. ADA Alexandra Smathers was the prosecutor. On April 30, 2018, a then-12-year-old girl reported that Johnson had molested her repeatedly. A then-six-year-old made similar allegations. It

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