Adam R. Procell, Former Spanish Cobras Gang Member And Convicted Murder Felon Hired As Head Of The Milwaukee Office Of Community Wellness And Safety By Mayor Johnson

Procell, as a Spanish Cobras gang member was convicted of 1st-degree intentional homicide and attempted 1st-degree intentional homicide, including party to a crime on both felony counts 

when he was 15 and served more than 20 years in prison.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

August 18, 2025

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Monday, City of Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson announced that Adam Ryan Procell, 45, a convicted murderer at the age of 15, who served more than 20 years in prison has been hired by the City to head the Milwaukee Office of Community Wellness and Safety. Mayor Johnson stated during the announcement, "Adam's lived experience, having been convicted of a most serious crime, sentenced to a very lengthy, prison term, and then completely, I mean, just absolutely, completely, turning his life around. All this means that he brings unmatched, perspective to this job and this, work in our community."

At the age of 15, Procell was a gang member of the Spanish Cobras in Milwaukee and was convicted of 1st-degree intentional homicide and attempted 1st-degree intentional homicide,  including party to a crime on both felony counts for the September 26, 1995 murder of Robert Bruce and attempted murder victim Marvin Nororis. Procell was sentenced to 25 years concurrently in prison with eligibility of parole in 2022.

Procell, a convicted felon has not been pardoned in Wisconsin. Procell was parole in 2018 and no longer in supervision, according to the Wisconsin Department of Corrections.

According to Wisconsin court records, Procell was also convicted in Brown County for an additional felony, battery by prisoners in 2000. 

On July 8, 2024, Procell went before Milwaukee County Judge David Swanson in regards to get permission from the court to travel outside of the country between September 3 - 19, 2024, the motion was granted when the state parole agent did not filed an objection, according  to Milwaukee County court records.

Mayor Johnson released the following statement regarding Procell, "I'm excited to announce Adam Procell as the new Director of the City of Milwaukee Office of Community Wellness and Safety. In this role, Adam will lead our front-line violence prevention efforts and play a major part in making Milwaukee a safer city."

"Adam, a Milwaukee native, has dedicated his professional life to community safety and violence prevention. He is strategic, collaborative, and innovative, and has earned respect across our city's public safety community. His lived experience — having turned his life around — gives him a perspective that is truly unique and invaluable for this work."

Procell is also a co-founder of Paradigm Shyft, and an adjunct instructor at Marquette University, and an author of two books, according to his LinkedIn account.

The Milwaukee Journal reported that, "He (Procell) was not one of three finalists announced months earlier and did not participate in two separate public hearings where those three took questions from the public." Johnson confirmed that Procell never applied for the position, but someone brought up his name, and he got hired.

The salary for the position of Community Wellness and Safety Director in the City of Milwaukee falls within a range of $110,197 to $154,280 annually. For City of Milwaukee residents, there is an incentive that increases the range to $113,503 to $158,909 annually, according to JobAps. Job Announcement: COMMUNITY WELLNESS AND SAFETY DIRECTOR - City of Milwaukee https://share.google/XaZzIK3DzAMyoBNmS