Recent Racine County Court Stories
(174) updates to this series since Updated
An 18-year-old was sentenced for possessing a firearm after officers recovered a 9mm handgun near Turning Point Academy last year.
He originally was charged with one count of possessing a firearm as a felon and one count of first degree intentional homicide with use of a dangerous weapon.
The 37-year-old faced nine counts of child pornography possession.
She was found guilty of one count of homicide by intoxicated use of vehicle.
The 32-year-old faced two counts of second degree sexual assault with use of force and one count of strangulation and suffocation. He was found guilty on all three charges.
Among the items reportedly found in February were $5,100 in cash, 52.9 grams of crack cocaine, 35.2 grams of THC and 875.8 grams of fentanyl pills.
The 33-year-old was charged with one count of repeated sexual assault of the same child (at least three violations of first or second degree sexual assault) and one count of second degree sexual assault of a child.Â
He had denied making threats to shoot anyone.
The 41-year-old faces one count of child enticement-sexual contact, one count of using a computer to facilitate a child sex crime and three counts of causing a child age 13-18 to view sexual activity.
A Kenosha man and Racine woman pleaded not guilty Wednesday in connection to a Nov. 8, 2024 shooting.
The 31-year-old faced one count of attempted armed robbery as a party to a crime and one count of possession of THC with intent to distribute.
According to an amended criminal complaint, the 35-year-old is charged with one count of first degree reckless injury with use of a dangerous weapon, one count of resisting or obstructing an officer, one count of possession of cocaine/coca and one count of possession of narcotic drugs.
The 31-year-old was accused of selling substances that tested positive for cocaine and fentanyl to a confidential informant seven times between October 2024 and March 2025.
The Racine man had been charged with 17 counts of possession of child pornography.
He originally was charged 2021, but all counts were dismissed without prejudice Aug. 19.
He was originally charged with four counts of possession of child pornography. He was found guilty of two counts. The two remaining counts were dismissed but read in.
She was charged after law enforcement alleged that she was involved in an illegal, consensual sexual relationship with an inmate, and had provided him with a cell phone.
According to a criminal complaint, Racine Police Department officers were sent to a Wisconsin Avenue bar April 12. Upon arrival, officers saw a man who had suffered a gunshot wound to his right hip.
The Racine man faces one felony child neglect charge from an incident in 2024. The maximum sentence upon conviction is a fine up to $10,000, imprisonment of up to six years, or both.
The 54-year-old was charged with one count of burglary - armed with a dangerous weapon, one count of criminal damage to property, one count of carrying a concealed knife and one count of disorderly conduct.
According to a criminal complaint, the 44-year-old man reportedly filmed children at a local school without parental consent on multiple occasions.
The maximum sentence upon conviction is a term of imprisonment up to 60 years.
He was accused of sexually assaulting a classmate in 2021 when he was 17 and both were students at Waterford Union High School.
According to previous Journal Times reports, the investigation began in February 2019 when the Racine Police Department received a cyber tip associated with a residence in the 1500 block of Flett Avenue.
Nearly 100 people gathered in a ceremonial courtroom on the fourth floor of the Racine County Courthouse for the swearing in of Judge Jamie McClendon.
Riggs was celebrated for his distinguished career, most notably during an October 2021 incident in Bristol, where he was shot in the head while apprehending a double homicide suspect.
According to a criminal complaint, Racine Police Department officers were sent to the 2600 block of Prospect Street on May 16 in response to a reported shooting.
Jurors deliberated for almost three hours before reaching a verdict.
Labonte allegedly was driving a truck on the wrong side of Seven Mile Road when it struck an SUV being driven by a woman who was 33 weeks pregnant.
On July 4, officers with the Mount Pleasant Police Department were sent to a Franksville residence and spoke with a woman who alleged that she found the girl and the man in bed together.
He originally faced 13 counts of child pornography possession, which are each a class D felony.
Two boys who were skateboarding near the intersection of Taylor and Washington avenues were stuck by a car Dec. 28.
A criminal complaint said the woman reportedly told officers that she had been drinking that night, but claimed the man had been driving.
Thomas Firmani, 79, was found guilty of one count of child pornography possession, which is a felony.
The Racine County Sheriff's Office began working with the Department of Homeland Security on June 4 after Homeland Security Investigations Milwaukee received a tip from Dutch authorities regarding the production and distribution of child pornography through a messaging app.
If convicted, he could be sentenced to up 40 years, fined $100,000, or both.
A Racine man was sentenced Monday in connection with 2023 charges of child neglect and animal mistreatment.
According to the criminal complaint, the 17-year-old boy told police he knew nothing about the shooting and said he was with his grandmother the night a 15-year-old girl was injured.
A 22-year-old man was sentenced Tuesday to four years in prison in connection to allegations of pointing a firearm at a police officer in July 2024.
A 28-year-old man was sentenced Monday to 40 years in prison in connection to a 2023 shooting that left two Racine Police Department officers injured. Â
A Racine man was sentenced to two years in prison and three years of extended supervision in connection to a collision in which a vehicle struck a house.
Two Racine men were sentenced Monday in connection to drug sales made to a confidential informant in 2024.
A Racine man accused of sexually assaulting a child in 2023 was sentenced to prison Friday.
Two charges filed against a 51-year-old woman in connection to allegations of public assistance fraud were dismissed Wednesday.
A Kenosha man was sentenced Wednesday in connection to drug charges after a high speed chase in April 2024.
A Racine man pleaded not guilty Wednesday in connection to a shooting to a September 2024 shooting.
A 38-year-old Cudahy man pleaded not guilty Thursday in connection to allegations of sexually assaulting a child and possessing child pornography.
A Hartford woman charged in the death of a motorcyclist in 2024 appeared for sentencing Monday.
A Union Grove woman accused of homicide in a 2022 rollover crash that killed a Kenosha man appeared in court Tuesday and is scheduled for a change of plea hearing Aug. 1.
A 17-year-old accused in connection to an April 29 shooting on LaSalle Street pleaded not guilty during a hearing July 2.
Damian Mason was sentenced Friday afternoon to probation for his role in a 2022 shooting.
Duncan Bell, who was accused of using a machete-like knife during an altercation last year, was sentenced to 10 months in the Racine County Jail during a hearing Friday.
A 27-year-old Union Grove man was sentenced to three years in Wisconsin State Prison and two years of extended supervision for possessing child pornography.
Jamill Sanders, a former teacher at 21st Century Preparatory School who was accused of sexually assaulting students, was sentenced during a hearing Monday.
A Chicago man accused in a violent carjacking and high-speed chase was sentenced in Racine County to five years in prison and four years of extended supervision during a hearing Monday.
Kayla Ritchie, a Racine woman accused of child neglect, will serve one year of probation after a hearing Monday.
A Kenosha man facing more than a dozen drug charges will serve three years in prison and three years of extended supervision after accepting a plea offer during a hearing Friday.
A 47-year-old Racine man pleaded guilty to possession with intent to deliver heroin after accepting a plea offer from the state during a hearing Friday.
Julian Estrada, 19, has been sentenced to five years in Wisconsin State Prison for his role in a June 2024 shooting.
A 26-year-old Kenosha man was sentenced to three years in prison and two years of extended supervision for drug-related charges.
Christopher Martinez was sentenced Monday to 22.5 years in Wisconsin State Prison for his role in the death of James Hamilton.
Corey Brown, a 55-year-old Racine man facing felony charges in connection to an alleged stabbing, pleaded not guilty during a hearing May 29.
A 31-year-old man from Racine who is accused in a November 2024 shooting at a Durand Avenue bar pleaded not guilty Thursday.
A jury found Damian Mason, accused of shooting a man five times in 2022, guilty of attempted second-degree intentional homicide and possession of a dangerous weapon as a child.
Forty-three-year-old Miguel Carlos Estrada Pech, who faced child abuse and misdemeanor battery charges, was placed on 18 months of probation.
Bernabe Leon Alvarez, a pastor accused of attempting to initiate sexual contact with teenage girls while acting as a therapist or counselor, was sentenced to 20 years in Wisconsin State Prison.
A 36-year-old Racine man was sentenced to three years in Wisconsin State Prison after he was accused of striking a woman, a 17-year-old boy, and a 16-year-old girl at a Douglas Avenue restaurant last May.
An inmate in Racine County Jail who is accused in connection to the fatal attack of another prisoner pleaded not guilty to first-degree intentional homicide Thursday.
During a preliminary hearing, the attorney for the 16-year-old boy accused in the death of his younger sibling argued the state had not met its burden of proof and suggested the charges be reduced.
A Racine man was sentenced Friday to 15 years in Wisconsin State Prison for possessing child pornography.
The Racine County case against Victor Cantu, one of the four people accused in a November 2023 assault, was dismissed.
Lamarion Blair, one of the two people accused in connection to the 2022 shooting at Graceland Cemetery, was sentenced Tuesday to 10 years in Wisconsin State Prison.
A Racine County case against a 67-year-old man facing drug-related charges was dismissed during a March 19 hearing.
A 19-year-old Racine man charged with six counts of possessing child pornography pleaded not guilty during a hearing Wednesday.
A 43-year-old Racine charged with child exploitation pleaded not guilty during a hearing Wednesday.
A 53-year-old Racine man who faces 17 counts of possessing child pornography entered a not guilty plea during a hearing Wednesday.
Christopher Martinez of Waukegan, Illinois, accused in the death of James Hamilton pleaded guilty during a hearing May 9. He had previously pleaded not guilty.
A 19-year-old accused in connection to a November 2024 shooting pleaded not guilty during a May 8 hearing.
A jury found Daniel Suarez, accused of shooting Racine Police Department officers, guilty of attempted first degree intentional homicide.
A 66-year-old Hartford woman accused of causing the death of a motorcyclist accepted a plea offer during a hearing Monday.
Alejandro Sierra was sentenced to 40 years in prison after a jury found him guilty in the death of 36-year-old Alexis Marie Fisher.
A 31-year-old Racine man accused of sexually assaulting a child accepted a plea offer during a hearing May 6.
A 71-year-old Racine man was sentenced to five years in Wisconsin State Prison after pleading guilty to possessing child pornography.
A 23-year-old Racine man was sentenced to 44 months in federal prison in connection to a nationwide hacking spree.
A 26-year-old Racine woman accused of child neglect accepted a plea offer during a hearing Tuesday.
A 23-year-old Caledonia man pleaded not guilty to possessing child pornography during an April 25 hearing.
A 40-year-old Racine woman was sentenced during a hearing Friday for charges related to child neglect and animal mistreatment.
A 20-year-old Racine man was sentenced in four different cases, filed between 2022 and 2024, during a hearing Friday.
A 35-year-old Racine woman was sentenced in a child neglect case during a hearing Friday.
A 57-year-old Janesville man pleaded has not guilty to charges related to an alleged sexual assault that occurred when he worked as a gym teacher at St. Thomas Day School in Waterford.
A 42-year-old Racine man facing over 20 charges related to child pornography pleaded not guilty during an April 23 hearing.
An Illinois man who faced charges related to a September 2023 fatal crash in the Village of Raymond was sentenced during a court hearing Thursday.
A 30-year-old Racine man pleaded not guilty Thursday in connection to a February drug case in which he was accused of possessing drugs with the intent to deliver.
A 51-year-old man who was accused of selling drugs to an informant has been sentenced to two years in prison.
A child abuse case against a 40-year-old Racine man has been dismissed.
Five Racine County cases against a 48-year-old man were dismissed during court hearings on March 25 and March 31.
A Union Grove man accused of sexually assaulting a young girl pleaded not guilty in an arraignment Thursday.
A Racine man who faced 14 child pornography charges was sentenced during a hearing Tuesday at the Racine County Courthouse.
Devin Hoppe, who was accused along with Jackie Moseman of neglecting their 8-month-old daughter, was sentenced to seven years in prison during a hearing March 21 at the Racine County Courthouse.
A 24-year-old Racine man was sentenced Friday to 40 days in the Racine County Jail for resisting or obstructing an officer.
A 16-year-old boy accused of attempted homicide in a shooting from 2024 pleaded not guilty during a hearing at the county courthouse Thursday.
The Racine County case against a 30-year-old man who was charged in December when police reportedly found cocaine in his home was dismissed without prejudice Wednesday.Â
A 30-year-old woman from Union Grove who is facing seven felony counts for allegedly possessing child pornography pleaded not guilty Wednesday.Â
A Chicago man suspected in a violent carjacking in Madison and arrested in Racine County last May, pleaded guilty to two of six charges in his Racine case on Monday.
The attorneys for Reed Gelinskey, the 16-year-old boy charged in the March 4 stabbing death of his mother, Suzanne Gelinskey, are seeking to move his case to juvenile court.
A 39-year-old Racine man pleaded not guilty Thursday in connection to a January hit-and-run that reportedly injured a woman at the intersection of Augusta Street and Douglas Avenue.Â
Three Racine County residents pleaded not guilty to child pornography charges Thursday at the Racine County Courthouse.
Preston Kite, a former deputy with the Racine County Sheriff's Office, was sentenced Friday to 65 years in prison for 21 felonies, most of which involved sex crimes against children and animals.
A 22-year-old Cudahy man who had been accused of sexually assaulting teenage girls in Racine was sentenced to 15 years in prison Friday during a hearing at the Racine County Courthouse.Â
A 44-year-old Racine man pleaded not guilty Wednesday in connection to a 2024 case.Â
A 34-year-old Racine accused of selling fentanyl to confidential informants was sentenced to six years incarceration Tuesday in connection to three criminal cases.
Dector Robinson was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison during a hearing at the Racine County Courthouse.
A Racine County jury has awarded Monica Cerna's 6-year-old daughter, Ka'Mya Minor, more than $10.2 million in a civil case alleging negligence at the time of the girl's birth.
Caleb Novine, who was charged after Racine and Kenosha law enforcement reportedly found 70 pounds of THC in his residence, pleaded not guilty Thursday.
An Illinois man who was accused in connection to a fatal crash in the Village of Raymond changed his plea Feb. 18.Â
A Racine man accused of possessing child pornography changed his plea to guilty during a hearing Monday at the Racine County Courthouse.
Henry White, the 31-year-old Racine man charged on Feb. 3 with sexually assaulting a massage therapist, pleaded not guilty in a Wednesday hearing at the Racine County Courthouse.Â
A former teacher at 21st Century Preparatory School in Racine pleaded no contest Tuesday in connection to allegations that he sexually assaulted several students.
A 52-year-old man accused in connection to a sexual assault and shooting was sentenced to 18 months in the Racine County Jail on Monday.
A 20-year-old Racine man pleaded no contest to a battery charge about seven months after he and another inmate allegedly attacked two other prisoners in the Racine County Jail.
A 39-year old Racine man facing two felony drug cases from May and August 2024, entered a no contest plea Feb. 4 to one charge while the others were dismissed but read into the court's record.
A 36-year-old Racine woman who was accused of neglecting her five children pleaded no contest to three of five charges Feb. 7.
A 48-year-old Racine accused of fleeing from the police and causing property damage, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years in prison Monday.Â
A Racine man pleaded not guilty Wednesday in connection to an Oct. 30, 2024, collision in which he allegedly grabbed the steering wheel of his wife's vehicle and caused it to crash into a home.
A 48-year-old man accused in connection to several human trafficking cases has pleaded not guilty.
Sandra Lemke, who was accused alongside Steven Burdo in a child neglect and animal mistreatment case, has pleaded no contest to four of 40 charges filed against her in September 2023.Â
A 67-year-old Wind Lake man was sentenced Monday to 49 years in prison after being convicted of repeatedly sexually assaulting a young girl.
A 52-year-old Racine man who was accused in connection to multiple child sexual assault allegations was sentenced to 35 years in prison Friday.
Kiko Simmons, one of two Racine men accused of selling drugs to a confidential informant with the Racine County Metro Drug Unit in 2024, pleaded not guilty during an arraignment in the Racine County Courthouse on Thursday. Â
A Racine man who was facing felony charges in two drug cases was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison on Monday.Â
The case filed against Dalton Ritchie, who was accused of child neglect alongside Jarrel Gordon and Kayla Ritchie in June 2024, was dismissed without prejudice Monday.
Devin Hoppe, who alongside Jackie Moseman was accused of neglecting their 8-month-old daughter, pleaded guilty to one count of child abuse Jan. 21.
Two forgery-related cases filed against an Illinois man were dismissed last week.
Jacob Allen Hughes of Racine was sentenced to five years in prison Friday in connection to a May 16 hit-and-run that injured a woman at the intersection of Kearney Avenue and Gilson Street.
A 28-year old man, who was charged after a seven-hour standoff with police in 2023, was sentenced to eight years in prison Jan. 15.
A Racine County commissioner set a $1 million cash bond Thursday in the case of Davonte Carraway, the inmate charged in the fatal attack of 35-year-old Joseph Lee at the Racine County Jail on Dec. 31.
A 34-year-old woman who has been accused of drug possession and child neglect pleaded not guilty Jan. 15.Â
Eliyas Zaied, formerly know as Elia Olson, was sentenced to 20 years in prison Friday.
A jury found Abdullah Rashada, accused in the shooting death of Billy Petty at a Racine bar in the early morning hours of Jan. 1, 2023, not guilty of first-degree intentional homicide.
Jonathan Martinez, one of three brothers accused in the fatal shooting of 31-year-old James Hamilton in October 2021, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison
The jury in the trial of 26-year-old Abdullah Rashada, accused in the shooting death of Billy Petty at a Racine bar Jan. 1, 2023, heard testimony from five witnesses for the state Wednesday.
A 52-year-old Racine man who was facing sexual assault, drug and gun charges accepted a plea deal Jan. 7, the same day his case was scheduled to go to trial in Racine County Circuit Court.Â
The Racine County criminal case filed against Joseph Lee, the 35-year-old inmate who died after a violent attack in the county jail Dec. 31, was "Dismissed on Prosecutor's Motion" Jan. 10.Â
Jurors found Luis Granados III not guilty on all counts Thursday in connection to a shooting at Graceland Cemetery on June 2, 2022.
Attorneys for the state called an additional three witnesses to testify Wednesday in the trial of Luis Granados III, who is accused in connection to the June 2, 2022, shooting at Graceland Cemetery.
One of two men accused in connection to a shooting at Graceland Cemetery on June 2, 2022, testified against the other Tuesday in the Racine County Courthouse.
Attorneys for the state called 10 witnesses to testify Monday in the trial of Luis Granados III, who is charged in connection to a shooting at Graceland Cemetery on June 2, 2022.Â
Benjamin Rios, accused alongside his father in connection to a June 14 shooting in Racine, pleaded not guilty Thursday. Â
The 47-year-old was charged with one count of hit and run-involve death and one count of knowingly operating a vehicle while revoked (cause death).
He is scheduled for a sentencing hearing on Jan. 7, 2026.
The 29-year-old was taken into custody Nov. 17 after deputies sought the public's help in locating him.
He pleaded no contest to one count of homicide by negligent handling of a dangerous weapon Dec. 16, 2025.
The 37-year-old faces one count of possessing a firearm as a felon, one count of first degree reckless injury with use of a dangerous weapon and two counts of first degree recklessly endangering safety with use of a dangerous weapon.
The informant allegedly purchased pills at a residence in the 500 block of North Sixth Street.
The 58-year-old was charged with one count of first degree child sexual assault with a person under 13 and one count of child enticement.
The 55-year-old originally was charged with seven counts of possession of child pornography.Â
24-year-old faced 13 counts of possession of child pornography and 29 counts of sexual exploitation of a child — produce, perform, etc.
He pleaded guilty Dec. 15, 2025.
The 35-year-old faces two counts of attempted first degree intentional homicide and five counts of first degree recklessly endangering safety, among other charges.
The 25-year-old was charged with 12 counts of possession of child pornography in June.
He is scheduled for a sentencing hearing March 13.Â
He was ordered to serve four years of incarceration and four years of extended supervision.
The 50-year-old was charged with 10 counts of possession of child pornography.
He has been charged with six counts in April 2025.
Officers with the Racine Police Department attempted to stop a GMC Yukon on Sept. 22, 2024, but the driver evaded police and the passenger ran from the SUV.
The 42-year-old originally pleaded not guilty in May 2025.
The 45-year-old pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to deliver cocaine and one count of possession of narcotic drugs.
The 28-year-old faces one count of first degree recklessly endangering safety and one count of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
He originally entered not guilty pleas in November 2024.
She also was ordered to serve five years of extended supervision.
A jury found him guilty of first degree reckless homicide in December 2025.
The 39-year-old was charged last year with one count repeated sexual assault of the same child and one count of child enticement involving sexual contact.
He had originally pleaded not guilty to multiple charges.
The charges were dismissed on a prosecutor's motion Tuesday as part of a plea agreement.
Originally, he was charged with first degree reckless homicide using a dangerous weapon.
The 29-year-old pleaded guilty to fentanyl and drug trafficking place charges Monday.Â
The 41-year-old was accused of selling Percocet pills and cocaine to a confidential informant in March 2024.
The 31-year-old pleaded allegedly sold substances that tested positive for cocaine and fentanyl to a confidential informant seven times between October 2024 and March 2025.
He also was ordered to register as a sex offender for life.
The 43-year-old faces one count of burglary-armed with a dangerous weapon, nine counts of false imprisonment, nine counts of first degree recklessly endangering safety, nine counts of felony bail jumping and one count of first degree sexual assault with use of a dangerous weapon.
The 24-year-old was facing 20 counts of possession of child pornography.Â
The 47-second attack occurred in a dayroom at the Racine County Jail around 12:15 p.m. Dec. 31, 2025, according to a criminal complaint.
She pleaded no contest to possession of amphetamine or methamphetamine. The remaining charges were dismissed but read into the court record.
According to the original criminal complaint, he was arrested for allegedly strangling a woman on the night of Aug. 24, 2023.
Two of the men have been arrested, and a warrant has been issued for the other's arrest in the Racine shooting.
About 8:30 a.m. Monday, officers and rescue personnel were sent to a house in the 1700 block of Holmes Avenue after a report that woman was not breathing.
Metro Drug Unit agents reportedly had purchased crack cocaine at the residence.
He was arrested in Arkansas last month.
The two are alleged to have exchanged explicit information about and contact information for several teenage girls
Additionally, Child Protective Services took custody of 6-year-old and a 1-year-old who were at the residence.
Anyone with information is asked to contact RPD's Investigations Unit at 262-635-7756.
