Former Republican Governor Walker And Lt. Governor Kleefisch Allegedly Knew The Outdated DWD Unemployment System Needed An Urgent Fix, But They Both Ignored It, Manny Perez, Former Secretary of DWD Claims

Former Walker-Kleefisch DWD Secretary:

Rebecca Kleefisch knew Wisconsin's unemployment system urgently needed to be fixed but ignored the problem.

By Manny Perez, Republican former Secretary of the Department of Workforce Development 

April 29, 2022

Madison, Wisconsin - When she launched her political campaign for governor, Rebecca Kleefisch (R) shockingly attacked incumbent Governor Tony Evers (D) for an outdated unemployment system that left "hundreds of thousands" wondering "what they were going to do just to make ends meet."

What Kleefisch failed to note in her speech is that this very unemployment insurance system was flagged for her and Governor Scott Walker as an urgent problem just three weeks into the Walker-Kleefisch Administration in 2011. They knew this was a crisis waiting to happen and did nothing.

I know this happened because I was the Walker-Kleefisch-appointed Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD). I was the one who flagged this urgent problem just three weeks into the Administration only to be rejected. Not only did they refuse to act at the time, but over their entire eight years in office, the overhaul of these outdated systems was ignored.

Immediately after assuming this role in 2011, I personally conducted a threat assessment of the department. This included verbally reviewing the status and pressing problems with each department head. This threat assessment review ranged from Facilities Management, Safety, and Security to the Unemployment Insurance system. We also held formal meetings with each department head as we worked to identify challenges and implement solutions departmentwide.

In the first three weeks of 2011, the team at the Unemployment Insurance Department brought to my attention the urgent need to revamp the system as it was obsolete, it required a great deal of maintenance, and they were concerned that one of these days a serious problem would occur that would prevent the issuance of Unemployment Insurance checks. It was clear then, as we've now witnessed, that this system could collapse if the volume of requests suddenly increased.

Given that a project of this scale would likely involve federal funds, and for the purpose of bringing a specific solution to the Governor and Lt. Governor, I contacted the U.S. Department of Labor and brought the issue to the Undersecretary of DOL's attention. I was told that if Governor Walker would send a formal letter reporting the issue and requesting assistance from DOL, the U.S. Department of Labor would align resources to modernize the system and even offered to create extra processing capacity as DOL was aware that several states also had obsolete Unemployment Insurance systems.

Subsequently, I reported the issue and presented the proposed federally-funded solution, together with several other initiatives that I felt were needed to help the private sector have qualified workers and for workers to find sustainable employment. The response was a categorical and emphatic "no!" It was clear to me that under no circumstances would the Walker-Kleefisch Administration accept federal help from a Democratic President to fix the failing UI system in Wisconsin. They did not care that a failed UI system would hurt businesses, workers, and families. They only cared about how it would look politically, if they accepted help from then President Barack Obama (D). It was playing politics at its worst and it hurt Wisconsin.

In a September 2011 interview, Rebecca Kleefisch even acknowledged publicly that there were "some issues with unemployment insurance," vastly downplaying the severity of the problems, but showing the administration was aware of this issue early on and failed to act over the next seven years. Rebecca Kleefisch can try as she might to score political points and divide Wisconsinites over this issue, but she can't hide the truth about her record. When she had the opportunity to do something about the system, she chose to play politics and do nothing.

Had the modernization process been implemented by the Walker-Kleefisch Administration in 2011, the State of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin private sector, and the workers would not have had to endure the UI problems that have occurred when the COVID-19 pandemic first hit our great country.

Manuel "Manny" Perez, former Wisconsin Secretary of Workforce Development was a Republican Walker-Kleefisch Appointee

Source: Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

64-year-old Clifton A. Blackwell Found Guilty By Jury For The 2019 Hate Crime Chemical Acid Attack Of Muhad Villalaz In The Southside Of Milwaukee

Blackwell was criminally charged in 2019 for splashing battery acid at a 42-year-old Hispanic man outside a Southside Milwaukee Mexican restaurant.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

April 28, 2022

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Thursday, a Milwaukee Circuit Court County jury found Clifton A. Blackwell, 64, who is White guilty on one felony count of 1st-degree reckless injury with a hate crime enhancer including use of a dangerous weapon in connection with the November 1, 2019 chemical acid attack of Muhad Villalaz who was 42 years of age when the criminal act against him occurred. Blackwell is now facing up to 25 years in prison and up to $100,000 in fines.

A sentencing hearing is set for Blackwell for May 18, 2022, according to court records.

Blackwell had claimed during trial that he doused Villalaz with a chemical acid in self-defense when Villalaz allegedly attempted to strike him. He admitted of carrying a container with chemical acid for self-defense. 

Villalaz claimed that he did flinched at Blackwell because he was being verbally targeted with racial slurs by Blackwell, but never intended to strike him.

Villalaz is originally from Peru and became a U.S. Citizen. According to Villalaz, Blackwell called him an "illegal", including other racial slurs and told him that he should go back to his country.

Villalaz in November 2019 was hospitalized after he was attacked by Blackwell with the chemical acid during a verbal dispute at the 2600 block of  S. 13th Street in the Southside of Milwaukee, according to the criminal complaint. 

Villalaz had just arrived at the Taqueria La Sierrita restaurant located at S. 13 and W. Cleveland when he encountered Blackwell and got into a verbal dispute over a parking spot near a bus route 19 stop before the suspect threw the chemical acid at Villalaz, after telling him to go back to his country including using other verbal racial slurs and then fled on foot.

Blackwell and Villalaz's verbal dispute including Blackwell dousing Villalaz with the chemical acid was recorded by an outdoor video surveillance camera from the restaurant. Blackwell was taken into custody by police shortly after the incident.

Blackwell is a U.S. military Veteran and served in the U.S. Marines, which his family says suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In 2006, Blackwell was convicted for a felony charge in Rusk County for pointing a weapon at an individual. 

Blackwell is a Trump supporter, according to a woman that operates a local business, which Blackwell used to frequent and is considered a racist just like Trump himself.

Several Milwaukee Cops From The Southside 6th District Station Placed On Administrative Duty After Social Media Video Surfaces Showing Officer Shoving Homeless Man On S. 27th Street

The Milwaukee Police Department is reviewing a social media video showing use of force by an officer shoving a homeless man.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

April 28, 2022

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - Several Milwaukee Police officers from the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) 6th District Station were placed on administrative duty after a social media video surfaced from an incident on Saturday that showed several police officers talking to a homeless man in front of Americash Loans, 3100 block of S. 27th Street while one of the officers was kicking his stuff around and going through his backpack. That's when a Facebook user who was in a vehicle heading Northbound on S. 27th Street was able to video record at least 45 seconds of the incident.

In the video, which has no sound shows when the homeless man gets close to an officer while saying something and pointing his finger at him, then the officer quickly leaned over and shoved him to the ground, making the man to lose his balance and fall backwards striking a brick barrier. Then both officers proceeded to handcuff and arrest him.

The 37-year-old homeless man was arrested, cited for disorderly conduct, resist/obstruct an officer and then released, according to MPD.

Police were apparently called to the location around 5:25p.m. on Saturday for a complaint about an individual exposing himself. 

14-year-old Homicide Suspect Carson Peters-Berger Charged With The Murder Of His 10-year-old Cousin Iliana "Lily" Peters In Chippewa County

14-year-old Peters-Berger confessed to police that he lured his cousin, 10-year-old Lily Peters to a wooded area near her aunt's home and while walking in a trail, he allegedly punched her in the stomach, beat her with sticks, strangled her until she lost consciousness and then sexually assaulted her.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

April 27, 2022

Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin - On Wednesday, Carson Peters-Berger, 14, (only identified by initials C.T.P.-B. in a sealed criminal complaint; case# 2022CF000265) was charged with the brutal and cold blooded murder of Iliana "Lily" Peters, 10, who was discovered deceased in a wooded area by some people. She was reported missing to local police on Sunday night by her father.

Peters-Berger's identity was revealed in multiple social media posts.

According to the Chippewa County prosecutor on Wednesday during a court hearing, Peters-Berger told police that he intended to rape and kill his 10-year-old cousin. 10-year-old Peters' body was found on Monday morning in a wooded area near a walking trail just several blocks from her aunt's house at the 400 block of N. Grove Street in Chippewa Falls, Chippewa County.

Peters-Berger was taken into custody on Tuesday night, according to Chippewa Falls Police Chief Matthew Kelm.

Peters-Berger was charged with three felony counts for 1st-degree intentional homicide, 1st-degree sexual assault and 1st-degree sexual assault of a child under age 13 resulting in great bodily harm. If convicted, Peters-Berger is facing life in prison without the possibility of parole for 1st-degree intentional homicide, and 60 years in prison for the second count, and life in prison for the third felony count. A $1,000,000 cash bond was set for Peters-Berger and he remains at a juvenile detention center until he is waived to adult criminal court and County jail.

According to the Chippewa County prosecutor, Peters-Berger admitted to luring his 10-year-old cousin to the woods near her aunt's house with intent to rape and kill her. Peters-Berger confessed that he punched his 10-year-old cousin in the stomach that made her fall to the ground, striking her with sticks, he strangled her to the point of death (losing consciousness) and then sexually assaulted her.

Unsealed Peters-Berger's criminal complaint (redacted).

Milwaukee Southside Battery Acid Attack Hate Crime Suspect Clifton Blackwell, 64, Trial To Be Televised

Blackwell's trial begins for the 2019 battery acid attack of Hispanic man outside a Southside Milwaukee Mexican restaurant.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

April 26, 2022

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Tuesday, the trial of Clifton Blackwell, 64, continued with jury selection. Blackwell's trial will be televised, according to Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Jean Marie Kies, Court Branch 45. 

Blackwell was criminally charged for the chemical acid attack of Muhad Villalaz 42, on November 1, 2019 in Milwaukee's Southside, according to Milwaukee County Court records. 

Villalaz is originally from Peru and became a U.S. Citizen. According to Villalaz, Blackwell called him an "illegal", including other racial slurs and told him that he should go back to his country.

Blackwell was charged on November 6, 2019 in Milwaukee County with one felony count of 1st-degree reckless injury with a hate crime enhancer including use of a dangerous weapon in connection with the November 1st chemical acid attack of Villalaz. If convicted, Blackwell is facing up to 25 years in prison and up to $100,000 in fines.

Villalaz in November 2019 was hospitalized after he was attacked by Blackwell with the chemical acid during a verbal dispute at the 2600 block of  S. 13th Street in the Southside of Milwaukee, according to the criminal complaint. 

Villalaz had just arrived at the Taqueria La Sierrita restaurant located at S. 13 and W. Cleveland when he encountered Blackwell and got into a verbal dispute over a parking spot near a bus route 19 stop before the suspect threw the chemical acid at Villalaz, after telling him to go back to his country including using other verbal racial slurs and then fled on foot.

Blackwell and Villalaz's verbal dispute including Blackwell dousing Villalaz with the chemical acid was recorded by an outdoor video surveillance camera from the restaurant. Blackwell was taken into custody by police shortly after the incident.

Blackwell is a U.S. military Veteran and served in the U.S. Marines, which his family says suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In 2006, Blackwell was convicted for a felony charge in Rusk County for pointing a weapon at an individual. 

Blackwell is a Trump supporter, according to a woman that operates a local business, which Blackwell used to frequent and is considered a racist just like Trump himself.

Former Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett condemned Blackwell's acid attack on Villalaz and blamed Trump's anti-immigrant and hate rhetoric including his attempt to divide the country. 

Louis R. Perez III And Antonio Rodriguez, Both Mexican Posse Gang Members Sentenced To Federal Prison For Interstate Narcotics Trafficking

Perez III and Rodriguez sentenced to federal prison for interstate drug trafficking and firearm offenses.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

April 23, 2022

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Friday, United States Attorney Richard G. Frohling of the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced in a press release that on Thursday, April 21, 2022, U.S. District Judge J.P. Stadtmueller sentenced two Milwaukee men, both of whom identified as Mexican Posse gang members, to federal prison for drug and firearm offenses.

The court sentenced Louis R. Perez III, 25, to 21 years' imprisonment and 5 years' supervised release after Perez III pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and the possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 846, 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A); and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i).  

Perez III's conviction and sentence stem from his leadership of a violent, nationwide drug trafficking organization that obtained multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana for distribution in the Milwaukee area. 

According to federal court records, Perez III, also known as "Eight Ball," often obtained controlled substances from California and shipped drug proceeds through the U.S. Postal Service to co-conspirators in California. This drug trafficking organization was comprised of some individuals identifying as Mexican Posse gang members, including Perez III. 

The court also sentenced Antonio Rodriguez, 23, a codefendant of Perez III, to 15 years of imprisonment. Rodriguez, also a known Mexican Posse gang member, was sentenced after pleading guilty to drug and firearm charges in relation to this trafficking organization.

As a result of this investigation, law enforcement officers seized approximately 45 firearms, 8.6 kilograms of cocaine, 700 grams of heroin, 4.4 kilograms of marijuana, 4,500 kilograms of marijuana oils, and 21.9 kilograms of filled marijuana vape cartridges. 

The defendants were charged based on a long-term investigation led by law enforcement agents and officers from the North Central High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Waukesha County Sheriff's Office, the Milwaukee Police Department, and the Greenfield Police Department, according to the press release.

Federal criminal complaint (237 pages of indictments/PDF) link: https://bit.ly/3iauFqF

Wisconsin Migrant Rights Activist Jesús Salas To Release Upcoming Book Titled "Legacy Of The Wisconsin Farm Workers Movement"

Salas, a well known community activist and former educator is expected to release a new book about the Wisconsin farm workers movement from the 1960's to the 1970's.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

April 23, 2022

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Friday, Dr. Candela Marini from the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) Grohmann Museum announced during the opening of the Familias Unidas exhibition that Jesús Salas, a well known migrant rights activist and an instrumental community organizer and leader in the 1960's to 1970's Labor Migrant Rights Movement in Wisconsin will be releasing his new book titled "Legacy of the Wisconsin Farm Workers Movement". 

The Familias Unidas exhibit will run from April 22 to August 21, 2022 at the Grohmann Museum in MSOE. The exhibit gives tribute to the Migrant Farm Workers Labor Movement in Wisconsin during the 1960's to the 1970's.

The exhibition was made possible by the following MSOE partners: Latino Arts, Inc., UWM Roberto Hernández Center, Dr. Candela Marini and the MSOE Honors Program.

Salas during his presentation at the Grohmann Museum  spoke about his labor migrant rights activism, the 1930's Obreros (Braceros) program, the Farm Workers Labor Movement influence in Wisconsin, immigrants, farm worker migrants from Texas traveling to Wisconsin to work and higher education activism in the 1960's - 1970's in Crystal City, Texas; Wautoma and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Full video of the Salas presentation at link: https://youtu.be/-wIT8oINDpc

The Familias Unidas exhibit at the Grohmann Museum includes photos and history of the Latino/Hispanic movement from the late 1960's to 1970's. https://bit.ly/3KcUzb4

The Latino Arts, Inc. is also presenting a similar Migrant Workers exhibit at the United Communty Center in the Southside of Milwaukee.

According to the Mexican Fiesta (WHSF) website, Salas is a third generation migrant worker who spent 10 years migrating from South Central Texas to the Great Lakes Region. After relocating in Wisconsin in 1959, Jesús worked in the state's first education programs for migrants. He later founded a farmworkers union, Obreros Unidos and joined Cesar Chávez in support of the California farmworkers grape boycott. In 1969, Jesús became the first Latino CEO of United Migrant Opportunity Services. He helped establish UW-Milwaukee Spanish Speaking Outreach Institute(SSOI), now the Roberto Hernández Center, and later the Chicano/Latino Studies at UW-Madison.

After spending five years in Texas, La Raza Unida Political Party politics, Jesús returned to Wisconsin and spent over two decades teaching in Wisconsin post-secondary institutions, principally at Milwaukee Area Technical College. Later, he was invited to lecture at UW-Madison's Chicano/Latina(o) Studies Program in the 1990's. While lecturing at UW-Milwaukee in Latino Studies, Jesús was named to the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents in 2003.

On August 27, 1970, Salas was one of four men and one woman arrested at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) Chapman Hall. According to UWM police records, Jesús Salas, Gregorio J. "Goyo" Rivera, Dante Navarro and Jose Luis Huerta-Sanchez and one woman, Marla O. Anderson were taken into custody for protesting the discriminatory policy that kept Latinos from enrolling at UWM and for refusing to leave UWM Chancellor J. Martin Klotsche's office on that August afternoon. The UWM protest began with about 150 people and within days, it grew to more than 500 people.

Klotsche refused to meet with the protestors, but after three days of hunger strikes by the protest organizers, the stalemate broke and Klotsche finally met with them.

By September 1970, UWM along with members of the Hispanic community created the Spanish Speaking Outreach Institute (SSOI) to offer academic counseling, recruit and retain potential students. The SSOI would especially serve nearly 30,000 Latinos living in the Milwaukee area.

The SSOI later changed its name to the Roberto Hernández Center at UWM. (Historic oral history of the creation of the SSOI/Roberto Hernández Center https://youtu.be/FzOpOxI_GKw)

Believe it or not, the 1970 takeover of UWM quietly faded away in the memories of those who participated and went on with their lives. After 31 years, it resurfaced again when the first comprehensive article detailing the accounts was written by H. Nelson Goodson and published in 2001 by El Conquistador Newspaper that included a Special Edition dated July 13-19, 2001, Vol. 4, Issue 29 and then revised on August 24, 2001 and distributed at the annual National Council of La Raza (NCLR) Convention held in Milwaukee that year. The NCLR is known today as UnidosUS. 

The first Goodson article about the UWM Takeover of Chapman Hall led to other articles to be written about the Latino higher education movement in Milwaukee including Wisconsin.

In the Fall semester of 1970, there were only 14 Hispanic students enrolled at UWM, most of them from South and Central America compared to 25,000 students attending classes.

For the Hispanic community, "In Milwaukee many barriers existed blocking their paths to higher education. Their language and cultural distinctness were frowned upon, and they had limited access to information about educational opportunities and few professional role models. Discriminatory treatment was the norm." (Cited from Myriad Magazine UWM 1990)

The success of the UWM Takeover of Chapman Hall in 1970, which opened the doors for higher education enrollment for low income Whites, Latinos, Asians, Native Americans, African-Americans and other students of color have remained open today. Recruitment of minority students then spread to local technical colleges, private universities and colleges in the state. Today, thousands of minorities and students of color have graduated from the UW-System and will continue to do so tomorrow.

Today, Salas continues to advocate for migrant and immigration reform rights.

Special thanks to Salas, Rivera, Navarro, Huerta-Sanchez, Anderson and all those Latino and non-Latino higher education community activists who have made Wisconsin a better place to live.

3-month-old Female Tiger Confiscated From Local Resident's Home By The Laredo Police Department And Laredo Animal Care Services

The 3-month-old female tiger that was confiscated from a local Laredo residence was temporarily transferred to the better habitat, according to police.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

April 23, 2022

Laredo, Texas - On Friday, police and the Laredo Animal Care Services removed a 3-month-old female tiger from a local residence, the Laredo Police Department reported. Police didn't say how they discovered that a local resident within the city limits was illegally caring or owned an exotic and dangerous wild animal.

It is illegal within the Laredo city limits to own, possess, confine or care for a dangerous wild animal.

No further details were released by police, if anyone will criminally charged for having an exotic and wild animal within the city limits.

Feds Charged 54-year-old William A. McDonald With Racially Motivated Acts Against Black And Hispanic Residents For Living In The Predominantly West Allis White Neighborhood

McDonald was taken into custody this week after feds filed charges against him for engaging in criminal acts since March 2021 targeting Black and Hispanic victims,  which he intentionally sought to intimidate and interfere with their housing rights. 

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

April 22, 2022

West Allis, Wisconsin - On Tuesday, a federal criminal indictment was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, which charged William A. McDonald, 54, of West Allis, with willfully using force and threatening to use force to injure, intimidate and interfere with the housing rights of multiple Blacks and a Hispanic because of their race, color or national origin. The federal criminal acts committed by McDonald began around March 17, 2021 to April 19, 2022 and included property damage and threats of bodily harm that were intentionally targeted at 8 African-American residents including one child (Blacks),  also a resident of Puerto Rican descent in several locations in West Allis at the 1400 block of S. 79 Street and 8700 block of W. Mitchell Street (both apartment buildings), which McDonald's intent was to force them to move out of West Allis keeping the area (neighborhood) predominantly White. He even left unsigned notes with the "N" word including racially motivated hate language on several vehicles belonging to the victims and punctured (slashed) their tires with a knife or sharp object. 

As a result, 4 Black victims moved out of the apartment building that was targeted by McDonald due to safety concerns, hate notes and vandalism.

When the FBI arrested McDonald on Tuesday, they found a similar hate "N" (referring to the victims as niggers) note inside a sandwich plastic bag with his handwriting in his vehicle. The note was written on a stationery paper from a restaurant chain he had worked at in 2019 that prohibited used of the stationery other than for business related purposes.

The FBI also learned that McDonald had called West Allis police to report individuals speeding in his neighborhood that was matched with the same days that the hate "N" notes were placed on victim vehicles.

The feds executed a search warrant of his apartment and found 3 jars of marijuana and a scale, they also recovered a baseball bat from his vehicle.

The indictment didn't specify, if McDonald will also be charged with a hate crime.

If convicted, McDonald is facing up to 10 ten years in a federal prison and up to $100,000 in fines.

This case was investigated by the FBI Milwaukee Field Division and the West Allis Police Department.

Warrant Issued For Fake Cop 32-year-old Steven James Simonsen For Failure To Show Up At A Racine County Court Hearing, He Was Charged With Impersonating A Peace Officer Including Additional Misdemeanor Counts

Wanted fugitive, Simonsen showed a silver badge and identified himself as a police officer to a hotel worker, the suspect then said that he was doing a sting operation and was looking for individuals that had checked-in into the hotel with the last names of "Perez" or "Gonzalez".

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

April 21, 2022

Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin - On Easter Sunday, Mount Pleasant police arrested Steven James Simonsen, 32, of Racine for impersonating a police officer. Simonsen was charged on Tuesday with one misdemeanor A count for impersonating a peace officer. If convicted, Simonsen is facing up to 9 months in jail and up to $10,000 in fines.

Simonsen was also charged with two additional misdemeanor A counts for battery/domestic abuse and intimidate a witness-dissuade reporting, including an additional misdemeanor B count for disorderly conduct/domestic abuse. If convicted, Simonsen is facing up to 9 months in jail and up to $10,000 in fines for each misdemeanor A count, and 90 days in jail and up to $1,000 in fines for disorderly conduct misdemeanor B, according to court records.

Simonsen's initial court appearance was scheduled for April 21, 2022 at 2p.m., but he failed to show up in court and a warrant was issued for Simonsen's arrest.

A $500.00 cash bond was forfeited on Thursday, for no show to an initial court hearing.

According to Mount Pleasant police, Simonsen showed a silver badge and gave a badge number to a hotel worker before 3:47p.m. and said that he was doing a sting operation and was looking for several individuals with the last names of "Perez" or "Gonzalez" that might have checked-in at the hotel located in the 13300 block of Hospitality Court in Mount Pleasant. The hotel clerk called local police to verify Simonsen's claim to be a police officer and when local police arrived, they discovered that Simonsen has never been a police officer. Simonsen was taken into custody and booked at the Racine County jail, according to Mount Pleasant police.

31-year-old Amber Lynn Corrao Arrested And Charged With The Hit-and-run Death Of Miguel Angel Serrano Santiago, 41, In The Southside Of Milwaukee

Corrao has been taken into custody by Milwaukee police in connection with the March 25th hit-and-run death of 47-year-old Serrano Santiago.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

April 20, 2022

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Wednesday, Amber Lynn Corrao, 31, was taken onto custody and booked in the Milwaukee County jail. Corrao was previously charged with one felony count for hit-and-run involving death for the March 25, 2021 vehicular homicide of Miguel Angel Serrano Santiago, 41. A warrant had been issued for Corrao who fled to avoid prosecution.

Corrao was charged on April 4, 2022 with one felony count of hit-and-run involving death. If convicted, Corrao is facing up to 25 years in prison and up to $100,000 in fines.

On March 25th, Corrao while driving her blue jeep liberty at the 2000 block of W. Grant Street, she struck Serrano Santiago who was on a bicycle and didn't stop to render aid. She then fled the scene. Serrano Santiago died at the scene.

The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office ruled that Serrano Santiago died from blunt force trauma. 

Milwaukee police on March 30 located her jeep in Marinette County with damage to the front of the jeep. The criminal complaint says, that Corrao exited a home near where her jeep was found and told police that the damage was caused from a previous accident. While under questioning by police, she admitted of driving the jeep, but only remembered striking something and didn't stop to investigate. Shortly after, she then changed her story and told police that her boyfriend was driving the jeep on March 25th. Police arrested her boyfriend and police later found that Corrao was the actual driver when the deadly hit-and-run occurred. 

When police went to arrest Corrao for the hit-and-run vehicular homicide in Milwaukee, she had disappeared and a warrant for her arrest was issued.

Update: 

On April 22, 2022, Corrao's bail was set at $7,500 cash. She is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on April 28, 2022, according to court records.

32-year-old Steven James Simonsen Charged For Impersonating A Peace Officer In Racine County

Simonsen showed a silver badge and identified himself as a police officer to a hotel worker, the suspect then said that he was doing a sting operation and was looking for individuals that had checked-in into the hotel with the last names of "Perez" or "Gonzalez".

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

April 20, 2022

Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin - On Easter Sunday, Mount Pleasant police arrested Steven James Simonsen, 32, of Racine for impersonating a police officer. Simonsen was charged on Tuesday with one misdemeanor A count for impersonating a peace officer. If convicted, Simonsen is facing up to 9 months in jail and up to $10,000 in fines.

Simonsen was also charged with two additional misdemeanor A counts for battery/domestic abuse and intimidate a witness-dissuade reporting, including an additional misdemeanor B count for disorderly conduct/domestic abuse. If convicted, Simonsen is facing up to 9 months in jail and up to $10,000 in fines for each misdemeanor A count, and 90 days in jail and up to $1,000 in fines for disorderly conduct misdemeanor B, according to court records.

Simonsen's initial court appearance is scheduled for April 21, 2022 at 2p.m..

According to Mount Pleasant police, Simonsen showed a silver badge and gave a badge number to a hotel worker before 3:47p.m. and said that he was doing a sting operation and was looking for several individuals with the last names of "Perez" or "Gonzalez" that might have checked-in at the hotel located in the 13300 block of Hospitality Court in Mount Pleasant. The hotel clerk called local police to verify Simonsen's claim to be a police officer and when local police arrived, they discovered that Simonsen has never been a police officer. Simonsen was taken into custody and booked at the Racine County jail, according to Mount Pleasant police.

Alderman José G. Pérez From The Southside 12th Aldermanic District Elected Unanimously As President Of The Milwaukee Common Council

Pérez was first elected in 2012 to the Milwaukee Common Council after leading the most negative campaign in the 12th Aldermanic history against former Alderman James "Jim" Witkowiak.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

April 19, 2022

Milwaukee. WI - On Tuesday, the Milwaukee Common Council unanimously elected Alderman José Pérez, 53, as president of the Council. Pérez was nominated to the position by Alderwomen JoCasta Zamarripa. 

Alderman Khalif J. Rainey had an excused absence from the Council on Tuesday.

Pérez from the 12th Aldermanic District in the Southside of Milwaukee is the first Hispanic to become president of the Milwaukee Common Council.

32-year-old Steven J. Simonsen Taken Into Custody By Mount Pleasant Police For Impersonating A Peace Officer In Racine County

Simonsen who showed a silver badge and identified himself as a police officer had told a hotel worker that he was doing a sting operation and was looking for individuals that had checked-in with the last names of "Perez" or "Gonzalez".

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

April 18, 2022

Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin - On Easter Sunday, Mount Pleasant police arrested Steven James Simonsen, 32, of Racine for impersonating a police officer. Simonsen is facing a misdemeanor count for impersonating a peace officer. If convicted, Simonsen is facing up to 9 months in jail and up to $10,000 in fines.

According to Mount Pleasant police, Simonsen showed a silver badge and gave a badge number to a hotel worker before 3:47p.m. and said that he was doing a sting operation and was looking for several individuals with the last names of "Perez" or "Gonzalez" that might have checked-in at the hotel located in the 13300 block of Hospitality Court in Mount Pleasant. The hotel clerk called local police to verify Simonsen's claim to be a police officer and when local police arrived, they discovered that Simonsen has never been a police officer. Simonsen was taken into custody and booked at the Racine County jail, according to Mount Pleasant police.

Update:

On Tuesday. April 19, 2022, Steven James Simonsen, 32, was charged with one misdemeanor count of impersonating a peace officer, one misdemeanor count each for battery/domestic abuse, intimidate a witness-dissuade reporting and disorderly conduct/domestic abuse. If convicted, Simonsen is facing up to 9 months in jail and up to $10,000 in fines for each misdemeanor A count, and 90 days in jail and up to $1,000 in fines for disorderly conduct misdemeanor B, according to court records.

Simonsen's initial court appearance is scheduled for April 21, 2022 at 2p.m..

Several Gypsy Joker Motorcycle Club Outlaw Members Sentenced To Life In Prison By Feds For The 2015 Kidnapping, Torturing, And Murdering Former Club Member

Former Gypsy Joker Motorcycle Club Outlaw president Dencklau and member Erickson were sentenced to life in a federal prison for the 2015 homicide of fellow motorcycle club outlaw member Robert Lee Huggins.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

April 15, 2022

Portland, Oregon - On Thursday, two members of the Gypsy Joker Motorcycle Club, known as an Outlaw M.C. (GJMC) were sentenced to life in federal prison for kidnapping, torturing, and murdering Robert Lee Huggins, 56, a former club member.

According to a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ), GJMC Portland clubhouse president Mark Leroy Dencklau, 61, of Woodburn, Oregon, and member Chad Leroy Erickson, 51, of Rainier, Oregon, received life sentences after being convicted at trial in December 2021 of murder in aid of racketeering; kidnapping in aid of racketeering, resulting in death; kidnapping resulting in death; and conspiracy to commit kidnapping, resulting in death. Additionally, Dencklau was found guilty of racketeering conspiracy.

According to federal court documents and trial testimony, the GJMC is a criminal organization wherein members and associates maintain their position and status in the organization by participating in, directly or indirectly, various acts of violent racketeering activity including murder, kidnapping, robbery, extortion, narcotics trafficking, and witness tampering. From 2003 until his arrest in 2018, Dencklau served as the president of the GJMC's Portland chapter.

According to evidence presented at trial, on July 1, 2015, the body of Robert Lee Huggins, 56, an estranged member of the GJMC Portland chapter, was found by some area loggers lying in a field in Clark County, Washington. Huggins' body was badly beaten, and appeared to have been tortured prior to his death. Huggins was previously stripped of his club membership for allegedly stealing from the outlaw club and from Dencklau in particular. Following this robbery, Dencklau directed GJMC members to find Huggins.

According to testimony presented at trial, on the evening of June 30, 2015, Dencklau and others kidnapped Huggins from a residence in Portland and transported him to a rural property in Southwest Washington. Over the course of several hours, Huggins was severely beaten and tortured. He sustained numerous injuries to his head and face, including a fractured skull, as well as lacerations to his chest and torso. Trial evidence showed that Erickson, who took part in the torture of Huggins, slashed Huggins' tattoo with a knife and then stabbed him in the leg. He then helped load Huggins' body into a vehicle and left him in a field. The Clarke County Medical Examiner's Office ruled that Huggins' death was caused by multiple blunt and sharp force injuries.

Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department's Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Scott Erik Asphaug for the District of Oregon, and Special Agent in Charge Jonathan T. McPherson of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Seattle Field Division made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the Portland Police Bureau and ATF, with assistance from the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), U.S. Marshals Service, IRS-Criminal Investigation, the Clark County Sheriff's Office, Oregon State Police and the Oregon and Washington State Crime Labs.

Trial Attorney Damaré Theriot of the Criminal Division's Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leah K. Bolstad and Steven T. Mygran for the District of Oregon prosecuted the case.

Former 2019 Milwaukee County Supervisor Candidate Andrea A. Rodriguez-Strock Expected To Plea Guilty, No Contest Or Continue With Not Guilty To Felony Child Abuse-Intentionally Cause Harm

Rodriguez-Strock is expected to enter a guilty plea, no contest or continue with her previous plea of not guilty in May for one felony count of child abuse-intentionally cause harm of her 13-year-old son who was on crutches at the time of the criminal act, police say that she blocked him from getting out of his bedroom with her body, pulled his hair and then bit his forearm as he attempted to open the front door after he called his father and reported her physical abuse, according to the felony criminal complaint.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

April 15, 2022

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Friday, former 2019 Milwaukee County Supervisor candidate in the 4th District Andrea Ann Rodriguez-Strock, 43, who is also an educator, a local community organizer and a former Milwaukee Safety and Civic Commissioner with the City of Milwaukee and her Attorney Michael L. Chernin were in court Branch 10th to requested an adjournment of her case until May 27, 2022, at 8:30a.m. for a plea and sentencing hearing. Rodriguez-Strock is expected to enter a guilty plea, no contest or continue to plea not guilty in May.

Their request for adjournment until May was granted by Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Michelle A. Havas with no objection from the State prosecutor Jessica Ann Behling, according to court records. Rodriguez-Strock pleaded not guilty in the case on November 2021, and she was expected to enter a plea on Friday to one felony count of child abuse-intentionally cause harm to her 13-year-old son, but was adjourned until next month.

Also, Rodriguez-Strock pleaded guilty on March 25, 2022 to one misdemeanor count of Opetating While Intoxicated (OWI) second offense. She was sentenced to 3 months in the House of Corrections (HOC), but her sentenced was stayed and instead had to serve ten days condition time on Huber work release during working hours and was placed on 12 months supervision (probationary). The judge revoked Rodriguez-Strock privileges to drive for 12 months and is restricted to only to drive a vehicle with an equipped Ignition Interlock Device (IID) for 15 months, according to court records.

According to the felony criminal complaint, Rodriguez-Strock on June 11, 2021, her 13-year-old son reported that his mother Rodriguez-Strock used her body to block him into his bedroom and but he was able to exit his bedroom, his mother pulled his hair and took his crutches away from him, smashed them on the ground, breaking them, and threw them across the room. Her 13-year-old son then called his father and told him what was happening. His father arrived at the Rodriguez-Strock's home to pick up his son, but Rodriguez-Strock blocked the front door. When her son attempted to unlock the front door, Rodriguez-Strock bit him in the left arm. Milwaukee police officers investigating the incident noticed a bite mark on the 13-year-old son's forearm.

Officers at the scene then spoke to Rodriguez-Strock about the bite mark and she denied biting her son and said that any marks he had must have been self-inflicted in an attempt to get her in trouble. Rodriguez-Strock did admit that she did try to block the front door when her son tried to leave her house and claimed that the bite mark on his arm may have resulted from him sticking his arm in her face when he attempted to open the door.

Her 8-year-old daughter told police that she heard a lot of shouting and seeing her mom, Rodriguez-Strock, blocking her brother when he attempted to leave out the front door. Her daughter also told police when questioned that when her brother attempted to leave out the front door, she saw her mother bit her brother in the arm, so she closed her eyes and left the room, according to the criminal complaint.

Theodore Edgecomb Sentenced To 37 Years In Prison For The 2020 Murder Of Immigration Attorney Jason T. Cleereman In Milwaukee's Eastside

Edgecomb sentenced to 37 years in prison for Cleereman's homicide.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

April 9, 2022

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Friday, Theodore Edgecomb, 32, was sentenced to 37 years in prison for the September 2020 murder of immigration attorney Jason T. Cleereman, 54. Edgecomb will be incarcerated for 25 years and 12 years in supervision, according to court records.

In January 2022, Edgecomb was found guilty of 1st-degree reckless homicide with a deadly weapon for the Cleereman homicide. Cleereman was shot in the head by Edgecomb who testified in court that his weapon fired accidentally.

According to the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office, the toxicology results indicated that Cleereman was intoxicated when he confronted Edgecomb after Edgecomb punched him. Edgecomb testified that Cleereman's wife who was driving almost struck him while she was driving igniting a road rage confrontation between Edgecomb and Cleereman.

Milwaukee Black Activist Khalil Coleman Found Guilty In Kentucky For Felony 1st-degree Robbery, Facing 10 To 20 Years In Prison

Coleman is facing 10 to 20 years in prison for 1st-degree robbery in Kentucky.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

April 9, 2022

Elsemere, Kentucky - On Friday, Khalil Coleman, 35, a well known Milwaukee Black activist who led numerous marches calling for Milwaukee Police accountabilty for police brutality in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin and Justice for murdered George Floyd during last Summer and received a State of Wisconsin citation in July 2020 for community activism and social justice was convicted in Kentucky by a jury for one felony count of 1st-degree robbery. Coleman is facing between 10 to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced at a later date. He was taken into custody on Friday after his conviction and was booked at the Kenton County jail awaiting sentencing.

Coleman was booked in February 2021 at the Kenton County jail on charges for 2nd-degree robbery and 2nd-degree unlawful transaction with a minor. He was out on a $10,000 cash bail.

Also Coleman's second accomplice, Joshua James Clarey, 25, was convicted in April for 1st-degree robbery and is facing between 10 to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced at a later date. Clarey would not testify against Coleman, court records indicate.

Coleman's third accomplice, Johnny Hubbard, 18, a juvenile when the robbery occurred, was convicted in April as an adult for 1st-degree robbery after pleading guilty and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Hubbard testified against Coleman for a plea deal, according to court records.

According to the criminal complaint, Clarey and a minor (Hubbard) were taken into custody shortly after a failed attempted armed robbery of a suspected drug house. The criminal complaint says, that Coleman and his two accomplices went to a drug house and attempted to rob it, but when the robbery failed, they then fled the scene in a vehicle. A snowplow blocked their get away and police managed to arrest the suspects after recovering a Glock handgun with a 50 bullet capacity drum magazine and drugs that included heroin and marijuana.

Former State Representative Josh Zepnick Concedes In The Milwaukee County Supervisor 12th District Race To Self-proclaimed Anti-cop Socialist Juan Miguel Martinez

Martinez defeated Zepnick by a 17 vote margin on Tuesday's election for Milwaukee County 12th District Supervisor.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

April 8, 2022

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Friday, former State Representative Josh Zepnick, 54, confirmed to Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) that he has conceded and accepted the defeat by Juan Miguel Martinez, 37, a self-proclaimed anti-cop socialist who won the Milwaukee County Supervisor 12th District race on Tuesday, April 5, 2022 by a margin of 17 votes.

Martinez received 1,780, 50.24% of the vote and Zepnick received 1,763, 49.76% of the vote on Tuesday.

Martinez ran on a platform to defund the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office and was endorsed by the Milwaukee Democratic Socialists of America, Citizen Action of Wisconsin, Voces de la Frontera Action, Milwaukee Teachers Education Association, Wisconsin Family Working Party, Milwaukee Area Service & Hospitality Workers Organization and the Black Leaders Organizing for Communities.

Martinez in April 2021 during an interview with Mr. Nice Guy confessed that when he was 20 years old, he and three other friends while in Mexico City assaulted a police officer in Mexico and his friend stole his badge and wore it all night while drinking at a bar.

He also posted on his Facebook (FB) account that the Republican Party should be aborted and called a police officer "pig". On March 23, 2021, Martinez posted, "...fuck the Democrats. Same bullshit as the Republicans" regarding to the temporary ICE processing facilities of undocumented immigrants under the Biden administration. In January 11, 2017, Martinez posted on FB, "Mexican word of the day: Fuck..."

Martinez also favors the Fidel Castro communist regime in Cuba.

Martinez will become the second Socialist on the Milwaukee County Board, the other known Socialist is Ryan Clancy who was reelected to the Milwaukee County Board in District 4.

During the Milwaukee County Supervisor Redistricting process, Supervisor Clancy opposed the creation of the majority Hispanic 12th County Supervisor District that Martinez won in and Voces de la Frontera never submitted or advocated support for the creation of the current 12th County Supervisor District because they supported Clancy at the time and didn't want to oppose him. Eventually, Milwaukee County Supervisor Sylvia Ortiz-Velez pushed for the creation of a majority Hispanic voting-age population for the District and Clancy later voted in favor with the unanimous vote by the Milwaukee County Board to approve the Milwaukee County Supervisor Redistricting maps, according to Milwaukee County Legistar records.

49-year-old Ruben Cardenas Jr., A Former Milwaukee Cop Charged With Two Felony Counts For 2nd-degree Sexual Assault Of A Child

Cardenas Jr. is allegedly accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl on Sunday.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

April 6, 2022

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Wednesday, Ruben Cardenas Jr., 49, a former intelligence officer with the Milwaukee Police Department Intelligence Fusion Center was charged with two felony counts of 2nd-degree sexual assault of a child under the age of 16 in connection with last Sunday's sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl. If convicted, Cardenas Jr. is facing up to 40 years in prison and up to $100,000 in fines for each count. A cash bail of $30,000 was set for Cardenas Jr. on Wednesday.

Cardenas Jr. retired from the Milwaukee Police Department in February, according to police sources.

According to the criminal complaint, the 13-year-old girl told her family members that Cardenas Jr. has sexually assaulted her at home on Sunday.

Police investigators say that on April 3, both the 13-year-old girl's mother and her boyfriend Cardenas Jr. came home from an evening out. He then walked into the 13-year-old girl's bedroom while she was sleeping in bed and proceeded to lower her shorts and underwear. Cardenas Jr. then penetrated her vagina with his finger and began to rub the outside of her vagina as well. She finched her body and immediately Cardenas Jr. removed his hand and exited the bedroom.

The 13-year-old girl then called a friend about the sexual assault by Cardenas Jr., which she also called her father and two sisters to let them know that she was just sexually assaulted by Cardenas  Jr.

Police arrested Cardenas Jr. and was then taken to Mount Sinai Hospital where a search warrant was executed to perform a DNA swab of Cardenas Jr. hands.

The 13-year-old girl was transported to the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin to perform a sexual assault examination to collect potential evidence.

Cardenas Jr. was a 26-year and 5 months veteran with the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD). He started as a Milwaukee police officer on December 1995 and was assigned to the Milwaukee Police Department Southeastern Wisconsin Threat Analysis Center (MPD Intelligence Fusion Center) in June 2004. In 2011, Cardenas Jr. became a senior intelligence analyst and in March 2016, he became an intelligence officer at MPD.

His next court preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 14, according to court records.

Update: 

On April 14, 2022, Cardenas Jr.'s case was transferred to Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Glenn Yamahiro after a request for substitution of judge was filed by the suspect's attorney. 

Cardenas Jr. remains free after posting bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for May 16, 2022 at 1:30p.m..

Milwaukee County 12th Supervisor Race In The Southside To Close To Call Between Josh Zepnick And Juan Miguel Martinez

Martinez, candidate for Supervisor in the 12th District remains in the lead on Tuesday night by 17 votes while provisional ballots and overseas ballots get counted on Friday and the election will then be certified by next Tuesday.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

April 5, 2022

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Tuesday night, Juan Miguel Martinez, 37, candidate for Milwaukee County Supervisor 12th District remained in the lead by 17 votes against candidate former State Representative Josh Zepnick, 54. Provisional and overseas ballots for the supervisor race will be counted on Friday, if any will be counted and the election for the 12th Milwaukee County Supervisor District will be certified next Tuesday.

Martinez received 1,780, 50.24% of the vote and Zepnick received 1,763, 49.76% of the vote on Tuesday.

Under State law a recount could be requested, but who would pay for it is still to be debated.

If the total votes fall within a 10 votes margin, then a free recount could be requested by either candidate under State law.

31-year-old Amber Lynn Corrao Charged With The Hit-and-run Death Of Miguel Angel Serrano Santiago, 41, In The Southside Of Milwaukee

Corrao is now wanted by Milwaukee police in connection with the March 25th hit-and-run death of 47-year-old Serrano Santiago.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

April 5, 2022

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Monday, Amber Lynn Corrao, 31, was charged with one felony count for hit-and-run causing death for the March 25, 2021 vehicular homicide of Miguel Angel Serrano Santiago, 41. A warrant has been issued for Corrao who remains on the run.

If convicted, Corrao is facing up to 25 years in prison and up to $100,000 in fines.

On March 25th, Corrao while driving her blue jeep liberty at the 2000 block of W. Grant Street, she struck Serrano Santiago who was on a bicycle and didn't stop to render aid. She then fled the scene. Serrano Santiago died at the scene.

The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office ruled that Serrano Santiago died from blunt force trauma. 

Milwaukee police on March 30 located her jeep in Marinette County with damage to the front of the jeep. The criminal complaint says, that Corrao exited a home near where her jeep was found and told police that the damage was caused from a previous accident. While under questioning by police, she admitted of driving the jeep, but only remembered striking something and didn't stop to investigate. Shortly after, she then changed her story and told police that her boyfriend was driving the jeep on March 25th. Police arrested her boyfriend and police later found that Corrao was the actual driver when the deadly hit-and-run occurred. 

When police went to arrest Corrao for the hit-and-run vehicular homicide in Milwaukee, she had disappeared and a warrant for her arrest was issued.

Cavalier Johnson Elected 45th Mayor Of Milwaukee And Democrat Majority Voters Rejected Robert "Bob" Donovan, A Known Republican Including A Trump Supporter

Johnson defeated Donovan in the City of Milwaukee mayoral race on Tuesday. 

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

April 5, 2022

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Tuesday, Acting Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson won the mayoral race and former Alderman Robert "Bob" Donovan, a known Republican and a Trump supporter was rejected by voters. Johnson will serve as the 45th mayor elect for the next two years.

The preliminary vote totals before the early cast ballots and provisional votes get counted. The provisional votes will be counted on Friday, April 8, 2022.

Other election results are to close to call until the early cast ballots are counted later today.

Cavalier Johnson received 62,143 votes, which is 71.69% of the vote.

Donovan received 24,543 votes, which is 28.31% of the vote.

The April 5, 2022 City of Milwaukee elections are nonpartisan, but a majority of voters who do turn out to vote are Democrats.

Texas Former Webb County Precinct 1 Police Constable Rodolfo "Rudy" Rodriguez Jr. Convicted By Feds For Attempt To Entice An Individual To Travel For The Purpose To Engage In Foreign Commerce Involving Prostitution

Rodriguez retired from his Police Constable position in Webb County Precinct 1 in March after getting indicted by feds on February 9. 2022 for attempting to entice an individual to travel in foreign commerce to engage in prostitution.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

April 3, 2022

Laredo, Texas - On Thursday, March 31, 2022, former Webb County Police Constable Rodolfo "Rudy" Rodriguez Jr., 62, pleaded guilty as a result of a plea agreement with federal prosecutors in the U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas to one count of attempted attempting to entice an individual to travel in foreign commerce to engage in prostitution. Sentencing for Rodriguez Jr. was scheduled for June 9, 2022.

Rodriguez is facing up to 20 years in a federal prison and up to $250,000 in fines with supervision between five years to life.

Rodriguez Jr. is cooperating with federal prosecutors, according to the federal investigation.

According to the federal indictment Rodriguez Jr. engaged in coercion and enticement of an individual for the purpose of foreign commerce in prostitution activities (from Mexico to the U.S.) between June 1 and September 26, 2019 violating Section 43.02(b) of the Texas Penal Code.

Rodriguez Jr. had been a Webb County Police Constable in Laredo, Texas  in Precinct 1 for at least 17 years and won reelection in 2020 with 57% of the vote.

The Webb County Commission accepted the Rodriguez Jr. resignation on March 28 and Precinct 1 Constable Chief Deputy Claudia Cantu took over Rodriguez Jr.'s command until the next election or a special election is held for the last two remaining years left in Rodriguez Jr.'s term. Rodriguez Jr. term as Constable would have ended on December 31, 2024.

In an unrelated federal indictment in Texas:  On April 1, 2022, the U.S. Attorney's Office of Southern Texas released the following press release, a former deputy with the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Baldemar Cardenas, 36, Mission, admitted that in January 2020, he conspired with members of a drug trafficking organization.  

Members of the group would receive kilogram quantities of highly-pure cocaine. They would then utilize small portions of the drugs to create sham cocaine with very low purity. 

Cardenas would ensure authorities seized the fake bundles. The seizure would allow the co-conspirators to avoid responsibility for stealing the cocaine from their source of supply and allow the distribution of the stolen cocaine for profit. 

In order to further the scheme and in exchange for $10,000, Cardenas provided information to law enforcement in order to effectuate the seizure of the sham bundles. Cardenas falsely claimed a confidential source provided the information. Based on the information he gave, law enforcement seized the multi-kilogram sham bundles of cocaine.

Laboratory testing conducted on the bundles revealed a cocaine purity level of only 1.5%.    

U.S. District Judge Ricardo H. Hinojosa accepted the plea and set sentencing for June 14. At that time, he faces a minimum of five and up to 40 years in prison. He was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.

Acting Milwaukee Mayor's Brother 37-year-old Allen Addison Jr. Charged With 1st-degree Reckless Endangering Safety And Felon Possession Of A Firearm

Addison Jr. was taken into custody on Thursday by Milwaukee police for a warrant dated January 19, 2022 when charges were filed for shooting an unarmed victim multiple times.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

April 1, 2022

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Thursday, Allen Addison, 37, the half-brother of Milwaukee Acting Mayor Cavalier Johnson was taken into custody and booked at the Milwaukee County Sheriff's jail for one felony count of 1st-degree reckless endangering safety and use of a dangerous weapon and one felony count for possession of a firearm by a felon. If convicted, Addison is facing up to 25 years in prison and up to $100,000 in fines on the first felony count and up to 10 years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines for the second felony count with an additional 5 years in prison for use of a dangerous weapon. A cash bail of $25,000 was set for Addison on Friday.

According to the criminal complaint filed in January 2022, Milwaukee police responded to shots fired at the 3500 block of N. 11th Street on January 4, 2022 at around 3:01p.m. When police arrived at the scene, they found a 52-year-old male victim shot multiple times in a parked truck. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries and survived. The victim suffered gunshot wounds to his leg, neck, arm and in the back of his head. 

Police during the investigation learned that Addison and the 52-year-old male victim had gotten into a confrontation when the victim stopped an altercation between Addison and his girlfriend Ashley and Addison threaten to get back at him.

The 52-year-old male victim told police that a Dodge Ram truck with tinted windows and to suspects inside parked beside him and one of the suspects pulled out a handgun and fired multiple times at the victim.

The Dodge Ram truck was later connected to Addison who drives the same type of truck. When the truck was located, police found multiple spent casings inside.

Addison had been on the run since, January 2022 until Thursday when police took him into custody on an active warrant.

Addison is the half-brother of Milwaukee Acting Mayor Cavalier Johnson who is a current candidate for Mayor. To clarify, Johnson is not connected in anyway to this case other than he is related to the suspect.

The other mayoral candidate, former Alderman Robert "Bob" Donovan was video recorded live on Facebook this month by an elderly male victim (Ken Kraucunas) of an alleged criminal physical assault by Donovan at Zebb's Restaurant at S. 27 Street and W. Morgan Ave. in the Southside of Milwaukee. Check out video of mayoral candidate Donovan allegedly assaulting Kraucunas at following link: https://youtu.be/2j83jEyYv0U