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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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Meet The Candidates For Contested City Council, Kenosha Mayor, and County Board Races

Here are the candidates for City of Kenosha Aldermen, Mayor, and County Board. Each and every candidate was asked to supply a photo and bio. The primary for Mayor and all other races with more than two candidates will occur on February 20, 2024, and the general election will occur on April 2, 2024. The candidates are listed in alphabetical order. (We will add candidates photos and bios as they supply them.) Mayor Gregory Bennett Jr. Elizabeth Garcia Homeowner, single working mom, 37 years old.  A woman of varied interests: I love gardening and am rewilding my front yard. I have my concealed carry permit, two dogs and drive an old Prius.  I believe my ability to work with people, even when we do not agree or share values, is

Kenosha Man On Probation Arrested, Charged, For Racist “Freak-Out” With Bank Teller

A 44-year-old Kenosha man is in the Kenosha County Jail and likely won’t be released any time soon. James A. DeFazio allegedly caused a scene and screamed profanities and racial slurs at a bank teller inside Meijer on December 30, 2023. According to the criminal complaint, DeFazio went to the bank inside the Meijer department store in Kenosha and demanded money from his bank account. The teller asked for DeFazio’s ID and DeFazio became upset, like he has so many times before. DeFazio threw his ID at the teller and yelled “hurry up and give me my fucking money.” Eventually the bank employee told DeFazio that he wouldn’t help him and pointed out the location of the ATM. DeFazio walked up to another employee who also stated he would not

Wisconsin State Prison Correctional Sergeant, Local Politician, Discovered to Be Producing Homosexual Porn – “Sergeant Hard”

A longtime Wisconsin prison guard named Andy Berg has been discovered to be producing online homosexual pornography for at least three years. Kenosha County Eye has confirmed these allegations though multiple, independent sources. We made contact with Berg to ask him about the “Sergeant Hard” profile on Jerkmate. Hours later, the profile was gone, and he didn’t wish to give us a comment. According to SergeantHard’s profile: “You tell me what you want and lets see what we can do. Open to new things. Want me in my wife’s bra and panties? Nipple clamps? Cock ring. My wifes outfits! Spankin.” Also according to the now-deleted profile, “SergeantHard” is a bi-sexual with a “big” penis. His services include bondage, discipline, dominance, submission, sadomasochism, feet, underwear, deepthroat, and gagging. He has 40

Dangerous Illinois Man Out On Low Cash Bail Arrested After High Speed Pursuit Through Kenosha and Lake County

A dangerous career criminal is behind bars today in the Lake County, IL jail. Jesus Catalan, 31, of Lake County, IL has been through the Illinois and Wisconsin criminal justice systems many times before. Last night, a Kenosha Police Department officer attempted to stop a vehicle driven by Catalan for a traffic violation near 52nd St. and Green Bay Rd., but Catalan shut off the lights and fled.  This same vehicle had been involved in two previous pursuits with the Pleasant Prairie Police Department where he got away.  Spike strips were deployed on the vehicle and the front driver’s side tire was deflated.  This did not deter Catalan as he continued to flee.  Catalan then intentionally rammed a Pleasant Prairie Police Department squad car as he went west on HWY 50. 

Former Kenosha Police Officer Raises Bizarre Defenses To Alleged Sexual Assault

A fired Kenosha Police Officer who is facing four decades behind bars if convicted for alleged sexual assault, seemed to detail his defenses to allegations of sexual assault in recently filed court documents. According to the 8-page criminal complaint, the now-fired police officer, 28-year-old Joshua Sylvester, is accused of some very serious crimes. The below allegations are graphic in nature and intended to be read by adults: Former Kenosha Police Officer Joshua Sylvester was at Aurora Hospital on August 18, 2022 monitoring an intoxicated 24-year-old woman who he arrested for OWI after crashing into a tree and losing consciousness. Sylvester inserted his fingers into the victim’s vagina several times while at the hospital. He also pulled out his penis and asked her to touch it. She refused but he forced

Kenosha Man Out On Cash Bail For Violence Towards Police Makes Bid For Alderman

An extremist Kenosha man who is out of jail on bail awaiting trial for multiple charges, has announced he is seeking election to an open seat on the Kenosha City Council. Joel Paul Trudell, who was captured on multiple video recordings devices resisting arrest with violence against two Kenosha County Sheriff’s Deputies, made the announcement this week. On the paperwork, he lists KUSD as his employer He lives in the 14th Aldermanic district that is being vacated by Daniel Prozanski. Trudell will face a well-known and well-liked business owner named Kenny Harper who owns and operates Harper Insurance & Financial Literacy Group. The election will occur on April 2, 2024. Trudell’s Arrest The Kenosha County Board met on June 21, 2022 and started out as it normally does. Citizens are

Move over Foxconn – Here comes “Casinoconn”: Opinion

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas for the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Right after the holidays, elected leaders from the City and County of Kenosha are poised to approve a sweetheart casino deal with the Seminole and the Wisconsin Menominee Tribe that will forever place 60 acres of prime real estate into sovereign trust never to be taxed again. The wink and nod Intergovernmental Agreements (IGA) include no internal or external renderings and no landscaping detail but propose only to construct a big box building with 1,500 slot machines, 150 rooms and a 2,000 space parking lot. The tribe did include a hotel, music venue and Hard Rock restaurant in the economic impact study they’re touting to sell us on the casino, so why aren’t those amenities included in

Lake County Illinois Commission Preparing To Sue Kenosha County – County Executive Doubles Down On Risky Hire

The Veterans Assistance Commission of Lake County, Illinois has lawyered up and is seemingly considering suing Kenosha County for the alleged defamation from one of its employees. According to a letter authored by Illinois Attorney James P. Kelly of Franks, Kelly, Matuszewich & Andrle, P.C., a new Kenosha County employee is defaming her old boss and employer. In the letter, obtained by KCE, Attorney Kelly writes: “The commission has become aware that one of your Division of Veterans Services employees, Sherry Kruse, has made and continues to make, patently false and defamatory statements about [the] superintendent of the Veterans Assistance Commission of Lake County, Andrew Tangent, and the operation of the Office of Veterans Assistance Commission of Lake County… Further, we believe that those statements have been made by Sherry

Kenosha County DA Dismisses All Charges Against Couple From Viral Applebee’s Video

The criminal cases against two Illinois residents featured in a viral video inside the Kenosha Applebees were both dismissed today. Kenosha DA Mike Graveley filed motions to dismiss both cases today and they were signed by Judge Gerad Dougvillo just after noon. KCE spoke with DA Graveley today and he said that his office would not be commenting on the decision. Graveley’s office charged 24-year-old Jermelle English with Resisting An Officer and Disorderly conduct. English’s girlfriend, 22-year-old Shanya Boyd was charged with Resisting An Officer, Disorderly Conduct, and Possession of Marijuana. The incident was first seen by most due to a video taken by an employee of Applebee’s employee going viral. Kenosha criminal defense attorney and author, Michael Cicchini, was consulted by KCE and agreed with Graveley dismissing the case.

58-Year-Old Man Dies In Early Morning Twin Lakes Vehicle Crash

On Sunday, December 17, 2023 at approximately 2:48 a.m. Kenosha Joint Services transferred two 911 calls to the Twin Lakes Police Department regarding a traffic crash at the intersection of County Highway P (388th Ave) and W Main St (104th St). Upon arrival to the scene, Twin Lakes police officers discovered a two-vehicle crash had resulted in two people being ejected from a 1978 Jeep. The driver of the Jeep, William H. Peterson (58) died on scene despite life-saving efforts. The passenger of the Jeep was transported to Aurora Medical Center in Burlington with non-life-threatening injuries. The initial investigation revealed that the Jeep was being operated westbound on W. Main St and failed to yield the right of way to a 2008 Toyota Tundra a pickup truck being operated southbound

Kenosha County Executive Samantha Kerkman Spends $10,000 Tax Dollars Fighting KCE In Court To Protect Her Friend

In March of this year, KCE had to sue Kenosha County. We wanted body-worn-video footage from the Sheriff’s Department of the embattled former politician Ted Kmiec. Kmiec was reporting to Kenosha County Deputies that I planted video cameras, and bugged his home. The Sheriff’s Department admitted verbally and in writing that it was possibly a mental health issue. Kenosha County has terrible lawyers called Joey Cardamone and Jenny Kopp. They don’t know the Wisconsin Public Records law, so they gave the Sheriff’s Department advice to deny me the footage. After I sued, Kopp admitted that she had no knowledge on this issue, and asked Kerkman to hire outside counsel. Samantha Kerkman authorized the County to hire a very expensive law firm. This would cause one to think – “If Kopp

The “Black Kyle Rittenhouse” Will Stand Trial This Spring

Jarred Cooks is a 27-year-old Kenosha man, who like many Wisconsin natives, enjoys to fish, hunt and loves the second amendment. Cooks has been a concealed carry holder for many years. He is a law-abiding citizen and has never been arrested or convicted of any crime before the incident in this report. He has family members that live in the most dangerous area in Kenosha – 61st St on Kenosha’s east side. There is a violent Kenosha street gang called “61st St Gang” that holds that area hostage. When Cooks visits his family in that neighborhood, he carries his firearm. Of course, he wished he would never have to use it, but he felt a little safer with the firearm. In the summer of 2020, there were about 136 reported

2023 Kenosha County Deputy Sheriff Association “Shop With A Deputy” Big Hit Saturday Morning

Detective Tim Hackbarth of the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department is the President of the Kenosha County Deputy Sheriff Association. He organized the 31st annual “Shop With A Deputy” program this morning at 8:00 am. This is Hackbarth’s 15th time organizing the event, which took place at Meijer in Kenosha. About 38 kids got to spend $250 on anything they wanted. They also each got a $100 gift card for groceries at Meijer for their families. “Comfort 4 A Cause” was back and gave each child a bag, quilt, stuffed animal, candy, and an activity. There is nothing as sweet and inspiring as seeing a 6-year-old little girl named Brooklyn use part of her money to buy her mom a dress. There is nothing as sweeter than seeing a 7-year-old named

Salem Man Found Guilty Of Three Serious Sexual Assault Charges

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. 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. Tsakonas was accused of raping a friend of

Public Service Announcement: Our Tip Form Is Anonymous, Unless You Write Your Name In It

At the bottom of every page on this site, and in the “contact” section, there is a place where you can send us a tip, anonymously. If you put in your name and email address, however, we will certainly know who you are. For example, this morning, I received the following tip: I emailed her asking why she had to bring up my gigantic figure. She was pissed off, wondering how I knew she was the one who sent the message. Hmmmm. Can you guess how I knew? Kala Rowe became very angry at this publication because she blames us for her father’s loss in the most recent Sheriff’s election. Her father, Raymond Rowe was soundly defeated by Kenosha County Sheriff David W. Zoerner. We wrote some articles exposing deceitful

Kenosha DA Refuses To Prosecute Public Records Violation Regarding Twin Lakes Fire Chief Sexual Harassment

Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Graveley said in a letter dated December 5, 2023 that he will not be pursuing charges against the newly-retired Twin Lakes Fire Chief Stan Claus Jr or the fire department. Graveley also said that he won’t even pursue action to force the Fire Department to turn over the records that they lied about not having. A secret meeting was held on Thursday, March 9, 2023, by the Twin Lakes Fire Department Board of Trustees to decide how to proceed with allegations of sexual harassment against Chief Clause. Kenosha County Eye was eager to attend this meeting, but no one would tell us where and when it was. It wasn’t posted at the library, and countless Village officials ignored our request for the details. We showed

Kenosha Unified School District Rightsizing Decisions Finalized

On Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023, the Kenosha Unified School District Board of Education voted to close EBSOLA-Creative Arts, Jefferson, McKinley, Stocker and Vernon elementary schools; close Lincoln Middle School and move Washington Middle School to the EBSOLA building; and reduce the Reuther Central High School staff by approximately 10 full-time equivalent positions. These changes were recommended following eight months of a rightsizing process implemented to help offset an estimated $15MM budget deficit for the 2024-25 fiscal year, which consists of a structural deficit, increased health insurance costs, the loss of ESSER funding, and potential salary schedule movements. KUSD, like many districts, has been facing declining enrollment for many years, mainly due to a declining birth rate, and will be impacted by this trend for at least the next decade. In

Kenosha Chief Judge To Take County To Court To Hide How Much He And His Colleagues Work

Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Jason Rossell, who is also the second district’s chief judge, has said he will seek an opinion from the Wisconsin Attorney General and even take Kenosha County to court, to prevent Kenosha County Eye from obtaining the Kenosha County Judges’ keycard data that includes data suggesting how many hours they work. KCE has obtained such data numerous times in the past from Kenosha County, but never from the judges. There has been a push for a ninth Circuit Court Branch in Kenosha County. There are currently eight judges that take criminal, civil, family and other cases every day. Some politicians want the ninth Circuit Court to alleviate what they call an overworked judiciary in this corner of the state. If a ninth branch is added,

Kenosha Police Chief Nabs Bank Robbery Suspect Friday

Kenosha Police Chief Pat Patton was driving in-between administrative meetings just before 2pm last Friday, December 8, 2023, when he heard a big call being dispatched on the radio. Just seconds before, someone had called 9-1-1 to report a bank robbery at North Shore Bank, located at 6906 Green Bay Road in the City of Kenosha. The caller gave 9-1-1 dispatchers a description of the suspect and the vehicle she was in. Patton tells KCE he makes it a habit to listen to the police radio while in his unmarked car, and at his office. Chief Patton was in the are of 61st St and 56th Ave when the call was being dispatched. “I knew the description of the vehicle and started checking the routes I would expect a bank

CUSH: The Kenosha Pharisees – Opinion

The face of religion is changing.  No one likes to talk about it, least of all those who are religious.  But it’s undeniable that churches of all denominations have been slowly shifting toward the left side of the political spectrum.  Some of them do so due to public pressure, some of them do so due to changes in leadership.  If you ever questioned the power of petition, fear, or evil, look no further than the about-face of religion.  Local churches like Kenosha’s First Church United Methodist held a “Trans-Remembrance Day” last month, and the Pope of the Catholic Church himself expressed his acceptance of same-sex marriage.  He then gave a loquacious and evasive response when pressed about whether the doctrine of Catholicism should be changed.  However, it would seem the

Three Former Parkside Manor Employees Charged For Freezing Death Of 89-Year-Old Woman

A Kenosha woman, her daughter and a Racine man have all been charged in connection with the December 18, 2022 death of an 89-year-old woman. The woman was a resident of Parkside Manor, a residential facility located at 6300 67th St in Kenosha. According to the chief medical examiner, Dr. Wieslawa Tlomak, the woman died of hypothermia due to environmental cold exposure. The autopsy findings took an abnormally long amount of time, because the toxicology results weren’t available until approximately September 13, 2023 – almost a year after the death. The woman was found deceased by Kenosha Police on December 18, 2022 at approximately 7:45 am outside of the facility on the sidewalk. Demontae M. Collins, 35, of Racine, WI, Susan Valentin, 40, of Kenosha, WI, and her daughter, Liliana

Racine Man Arrested For Making Terroristic Threats And Bomb Scare At Pick ‘n Save

On Thursday evening, around 4:30pm, officers from the Kenosha Police Department responded to a call at Pick ‘n Save, 2811-18th St., in reference to an individual inside the store who was making statements about blowing things up and shooting at police officers.  Officers engaged the suspect, 67-year-old Timothy Michetti, inside the store and were able to remove him without incident.  The store was evacuated.  Officers searched the store for explosives but did not locate any.  The individual’s vehicle was located in the parking lot and officers were able to observe a threaded metal pipe and wires.  The Kenosha County Hazardous Device Squad responded to assist with the search of the vehicle.  The items inside the vehicle were not found to be explosive. The parking lot and grocery store were closed for

Carthage Students Protest Embattled Carthage President John Swallow’s Handling Of Sexual Assault

A Kenosha man named Cortez L. Newman was recently arrested and charged with second degree seuxal assault. If convicted, he could be sentenced to prison for up to 40 years. According to the criminal complaint, the assault happened on August 29, 2023. Newman is alleged to have raped a woman and the details are so gruesome, that KCE will not be sharing them here. The victim sought medical treatment on September 6, 2023, and had a sexual assault evaluation done. Evidence was found to be consistent with forcible rape. Multiple Carthage students spoke to KCE on the condition of anonymity. KCE did confirm their statuses as students. It would be almost three months until Newman would be arrested from the heinous allegations. KCE can’t say Friday afternoon if the Police

Feel-Good Friday – A Kenosha Judge Who Shows Kindness Everyday

Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge, The Honorable Anthony Milisauskas graduated from the University of Illinois, Chicago School of Law in 1983, and was admitted into the Wisconsin bar in 1984. Judge Milisauskas was born and raised in Kenosha. Judge Milisauskas opened a law office and worked for himself until 2005. From 2001 to 2005, he was a Kenosha County Circuit Court Commissioner and a guardian ad litem. He was also a Somers Municipal Judge from 2000-2005. Judge Milisauskas was elected in 2005 and has been re-elected ever since. To all criminal defense attorneys KCE spoke with in the Kenosha County area, Judge Milisauskas is a very fair judge and a good jurist during trials. Judge Milisauskas is married and he and his wife have five children. To most, this photo

CUSH: The Kenosha Pharisees – Opinion

The face of religion is changing.  No one likes to talk about it, least of all those who are religious.  But it’s undeniable that churches

Kenosha Woman Announces Bid for Mayor

Elizabeth Garcia quipped Kenosha is her hobby, saying “I wish it were my job!” A workingmother who uses her free time towards bettering our city,

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