Vaun L. Mayes Taken Into Custody By Milwaukee Police Shortly After Visiting Mural Of Black Leaders And Activists For Social Justice

Milwaukee police have arrested Mayes on a warrant, according to Frank Nitty who was at the scene when police pulled over Mayes in the Northside of Milwaukee.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

June 29, 2020

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Monday, Vaun (Van) L. Mayes was taken into custody around 12:04 p.m. at the 5000 block of W. Center St. by Milwaukee police on a warrant, according to Frank Nitty, (birth name, Frank Sensabaugh), a local community activist and a "No Justice, No Peace" march organizer who Facebook live recorded the arrest by police. According to Nitty, Milwaukee police under Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales have been targeting and harassing local Black leaders who have been organizing recent marches in addition to being followed everyday and in one occasion have removed a license plate from Nitty's vehicle in order to stop him for questioning, Nitty alleged in the video.

Nitty including Mayes had just left a mural being painted on a wall in the Northside of himself, Mayes including other African-American leaders struggling and fighting  for social justice and accountability for bad cops who have committed illegal acts and murders of unarmed people of color.

Mayes was on bail for a frivolous federal charge of making molotovs during the unrest at the Sherman Park neighborhood area in 2016, in which feds alleged were found in a dumpster claiming the bottles belonged to Mayes. Mayes claims the bottles could have been taken from the trash can at his residence to set him up.

Nitty had two state charges for leading a peaceful march into I-794 freeway in Milwaukee, where a Milwaukee County Sheriff deputy assaulted Nitty and arrested him causing a slash wound and other injuries.

Nitty has participated in more than 26 local peaceful marches in Milwaukee and Mayes along with other local Black leaders as well.

Nitty in the video suggests that police and other people have alleged that Mayes and other Black leaders had organized a protest outside of a home where a suspected duplex was targeted by a crowd for a sex trafficking location after two Black teenage girls went missing. The home was set on fire and at least four suspects were being sought by police. Nitty and Mayes have denied the allegations of leading a crowd to that residence at 2100 block of N. 40th Street.

Nitty says that the feds and local police have been targeting the Black leadership involved in the "No Justice, No Peace" movement simply for being Black and fighting for their rights and change. For decades in Milwaukee, systematic racism and no police officer accountability existed for wrong doing when former former Milwaukee County District Attorney E. Michael McCann was in office. The Milwaukee Police Department has been plagued with systematic racism for decades and continued to be prevalent during multiple police chiefs including Chief Morales today.

It wasn't until 2005, when off-duty Milwaukee Police Officer Alfonzo Glover, 35, murdered Javier Prado, 25, in cold blood. Prado an undocumented immigrant who was unarmed had been shot multiple times with a .45 Caliber handgun by Glover. 

Prado was shot at 19 times, including being shot 8 times in the back and legs with a 45 Cal., while being chased through an alley by then Officer Glover on March 6, 2005. Glover also reloaded and fired the last two shots killing Prado while he layed face down on the ground. The homicide occurred in the South side of Milwaukee.

A Milwaukee County District Attorney inquest jury found that Glover's actions had been justified. Glover testified that Prado had followed him from work and began flashing his lights at him. Glover said he stopped near S. 9th St. and W. Ohio Ave. and identified himself as a police officer. At first, Glover told the inquest jury that he noticed that Prado was reaching for a weapon. But, Prado then sped away in his van almost hitting Glover. 

Officer Glover then took out his personal weapon and began shooting at Prado. Prado crashed his van while being hit several times by bullets from Glover. Prado fled through an alley injured, bleeding and frantically screaming numerous times, "Please don't kill me...please don't kill me." Some neighbors in the area reported hearing Prado pleading for mercy.

Glover had discharged his weapon a total of 19 times, and police never found a weapon on Prado or at the scene, according to the investigation. But months later after local Latino media including reporter H. Nelson Goodson from El Conquistador Newspaper published articles to launch an independent investigation and to hold Officer Glover accountable as well as other members of the Hispanic community rallied and pressured former Milwaukee County District Attorney McCann to open the investigation, McCann finally did. The independent investigation found evidence that a homicide had occurred and on May 2006, McCann filed first-degree intentional homicide charges against Glover, despite opposition from the Milwaukee Police Association (MPA).

In his 38 years as D.A., McCann had never charged an officer with a homicide. John Balcerzak, then president of the MPA called for McCann's resignation "due to irresponsible handling of the investigation of Officer Glover."

After being booked on homicide charges, Glover posted $25,000 bail, and went home. Glover then committed suicide at his South side residence the same day he was charged. No note was ever found, according to police.

The persistent Latino media coverage of the Prado murder in 2005 and public pressure for an independent investigation was instrumental in the first ever homicide charge against a Milwaukee police officer in Milwaukee's history.

The Milwaukee Police Department released the following press release on Mayes arrest, "On Monday, June 29, 2020, the Milwaukee Police Department arrested a community activist for a felony charge related to his alleged involvement in criminal activity that occurred on Tuesday, June 23, 2020, on the 2100 block of North 40th Street. Per MPD Standard Operating Procedures, inquiries regarding arrested adults shall be referred to the Central Booking Division or district arrest blotters. Criminal charges will be presented to the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office in the upcoming days."

Dozens of supporters for Vaun Mayes began to gather in front of the Milwaukee County Jail where he was booked on Monday. The people will be staying in front of the jail until Mayes gets bailed out. Mayes is not expected for a court date until at least five days, according to reports from his supporters.

Update: Vaun Mayes was released on Tuesday just before 2p.m. According to the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office, the felony Mayes case, which pending charges for criminal trespass to dwelling and burglary including party to a crime will remain in review and or pending that could include additional charges, if the D.A.'s Office decides to file charges in coming weeks.

The Body Of Felix Questell Discovered In A Milwaukee Home

Questell found deceased in a home.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

June 25, 2020

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Wednesday, the body of Felix Questell, 53, was discovered at a home that he was working on. The cause of death has not been determined at this time.

The Milwaukee County Examiner's Office is investigating Questell's death.

Questell was self-employed, politically/non-politically outspoken and he was an active volunteer for the Annual Puerto Rican Festival at Humboldt Park in Milwaukee sponsored by The Puerto Rican Family Festival of Wisconsin and El Conquistador LLC.

Two Male Suspects Sought For Igniting A Van And Duplex Home On Fire In The Northside Of Milwaukee

Milwaukee police are seeking four male suspects for setting a house and van on blaze, which was video recorded by dozens of people.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

June 25, 2020

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - The Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) released multiple photos of four  male suspects sought for setting a van and a duplex house on fire on Tuesday. According to MPD, Milwaukee Police are requesting the public's assistance in identifying and locating subjects wanted for an arson that occurred on Tuesday, June 23, 2020, at approximately 5:05 p.m., on the 2100 block of N. 40th Street.

The first suspect is described as an African-American male, 25 - 30-years-old, thin build, light complexion and full beard. He had a birthmark on the left side of his neck. He was last seen wearing a black t-shirt, black hooded jacket, dark pants and black sandals with black socks.

The second suspect is described as an African-American male, 16 -19-years-old, 5'09"-5'11", 240 pounds and black hair. He was last seen wearing a blue t-shirt and blue jeans.  

The third suspect is described as an African-American male, 18 - 24-years-old, 5’09” - 5’11” and was 180 - 200 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black tank top, black shorts and black boots with black socks.

The fourth suspect is described as an African-American male, 30 - 35-years-old, 5’11” - 6’01”, 160 pounds and has a full beard. He was last seen wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt with a gray shirt underneath, yellow work vest, red shorts and black shoes.

The suspects intentionally started a van and house on fire, according to police.

The four suspects were among dozens of people that went to the home determined to find several female teens ages 13 and 15 that were reported missing on Monday when word got out that they were at a suspected human trafficking location in the Northside neighborhood. Police went to the home on Monday and search for the two missing girls and did not find them.

Then on Tuesday, police were called to the same home by the residents of the home indicating that multiple people were trying to break into the home.

Police responded to the home and later called for backup in order to maintain crowd control of an unruly crowd that had gathered and a confrontation between police from the MIRT Unit and crowd ignited multiple times. Police say that at least two officers were injured when bricks and pieces of concrete were thrown at them. It was also reported that several people in the crowd fired several gunshots and multiple people including several children were shot and suffered none-life threatening injuries. The shooting victims were transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Police did not report, if anyone was taken into custody in connection with throwing bricks at police and gunshots fired in the crowd.

Police had to provide an escort for the fire department responding units to get in the location to put out the blaze after the crowd prevented the fire department trucks from reaching the burning home. One fireman was reported injured.

Neighbors had reported the targeted house as a human trafficking location for years, according to a tweet posted in the MPD Twitter account. Also, when police arrived at the home before the blaze, they escorted multiple people from the home under the cover of a blue tarp into a police van and left.

Frank Nitty, a known local Milwaukee activist and march organizer was among other people at the location who were Facebook live recording most of the incident included both suspects igniting the home.

Police later reported that the two missing female teens were found safe and the girls admitted to police that they were never at the location suspected as a human trafficking home, as family members first had suspected.

During a press conference on Tuesday, Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales said that one of the missing girls was found safe and police were trying to locate the second missing girl and that at least 7 police officers were injured on Tuesday while responding to scene at the 2100 block of N. 40th Street and that police did used none letal force (rubber bullets) and tear gas to disperse an unruly crowd who some in the crowd were acting like vigilantes and acting on none factual information. Morales did admit that police did remove multiple individuals from the home and that police responded to the home after shots were exchanged between the residents at the home and people trying to break into the home.

Update:

Relentless Illegal Fireworks In Milwaukee's Southside And Around The City For 14-days

Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Pedro Colón says that it has been 14-days "of unrelenting illegal fireworks" display in Milwaukee's Southside.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

June 21, 2020

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Sunday, Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Pedro Colón posted on his personal Facebook (FB) account that it has been 14-days of unrelenting illegal fireworks being set off in Milwaukee's Southside. Colón wrote 9n his FC account, "The 14th day of unrelenting illegal fireworks in the Southside. Complete unfettered discharges of Summerfest style Fireworks, Called the district (Milwaukee Police District Station 2) 4 times and went personally to complain. No abating the noise."

Other FB users throughout Milwaukee have also confirmed on Colón's comment thread FB post that they are experiencing illegal fireworks being set off around their neighborhoods as well.

There have been calls to police for fireworks being set off around the City. Police have responded to fireworks complaints and also to Shotspotter alerts and shots fired resulting with unable to locate complainants (it is not known, if the Shotspotter is reporting actual fireworks bangs or actual gunfire), according to Milwaukee Police Department dispatch call records.

Fireworks sparks can ignite fires in homes and garages, if ignited within the City limits.

In 2006, a Milwaukee ordinance was introduced and passed banning the sale and amateur use of fireworks in Milwaukee. 

The fine for setting off fireworks within the Milwaukee city limits can run up to $1,000.

Democratic Candidate JoAnna Bautch For The Wisconsin 8th Assembly District Convicted For Bank Theft In 2009 In Waukesha County

Bautch pleaded guilty for (Bank) business theft of less than $2,500 in 2009, which is a misdemeanor, according to court records.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

June 18, 2020

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - JoAnna Bautch, 31, a Democratic candidate running in the Wisconsin State 8th Assembly District race apparently was convicted in 2009 after pleading guilty to Pyramax Bank theft (theft-business setting) a misdemeanor charge of less than $2,500 and was ordered to pay $4,500 as a condition for probation, according to state court records. Bautch pleaded guilty and agreed to make restitution. She was an employee of the bank.

Bautch was sentenced to 9-months in jail in 2009, but the sentenced was stay and she was ordered to serve probation for 12-months.

Bautch applied twice with the Waukesha County Circuit Court in 2017 and 2018 to get her criminal record expunge, but was denied twice by a judge due to the fact that while on probation in 2009, she was arrested and convicted for DWI in the same year, which violated the conditions of the sentence, eventhough her probation wasn't revoked at the time, but it actually made her ineligible for expunging her record in the future, according to Waukesha County court records.

Candidate Bautch is State Representative JoCasta Zamarripa's sister. Zamarripa decided not to seek reelection for the State 8th Assembly District seat.

Bautch in her campaign website doesn't address the bank theft in 2009, but she did post that she "is also an out and proud member of the LGBTQ community."

Bautch's (JoAnna for Wisconsin campaign) in early June challenged the nomination signature papers of Candidate Enrique Murguia another Democrat and the Bautch campaign was successful in getting Murguia kicked off the August 11, 2020 Partisan Primary Election Ballot. Murguia was 3 elector nomination signatures short of the required 200 valid nomination signatures needed to get on the ballot.

So far, Bautch on June 10th received the endorsement of her sister, outgoing State Representative Zamarripa (D-Milw.) and on June 5th, Citizen Action of Wisconsin endorsed Bautch, according to the JoAnna for Wisconsin Facebook page. The LGBTQ Victory Fund also endorsed Bautch.

Not One Milwaukee Police Officer Held Accountable For Illegally Turning Over Undocumented Immigrant To U.S.ICE Rogue Agents Without Judicial Warrant In Southside Incident

The Milwaukee Police Department under Police Chief Morales including the Milwaukee Fire & Police Commission have failed to hold police officers accountable when engaging in illegal acts on the field.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

June 17, 2020

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - So far, Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales and the Milwaukee Fire & Police Commission (F&PC) have failed to take any disciplinary action or to hold multiple police officers including supervisors from the Milwaukee Police District Station 2 accountable in connection with the September 23, 2019 frivolous arrest by police officers of Jose Alejandro de la Cruz-Espinoza, 38, an undocumented immigrant in the Southside of Milwaukee involving multiple rogue U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

To date, the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) hasn't released any information about the outcome of the De la Cruz-Espinoza investigation into the frivilous arrest by police and ICE fiasco, in which Police Chief Morales even tried to wrongfully justify De la Cruz-Espinoza's arrest by claiming during an October 2019 F&PC hearing that ICE agents had a federal warrant for De la Cruz-Espinoza, but as it turned out, ICE didn't have a legal judicial warrant signed by a judge to arrest him instead they had a federal ICE administrative warrant signed by an ICE agent making it invalid to arrest a suspected undocumented immigrant in a private property setting such as inside a vehicle or residence.

In brief, if ICE agents on September 23, 2019 had an active federal warrant signed by a judge to take De la Cruz-Espinosa into custody, why would police actually arrest De la Cruz-Espinosa instead after contacting his Wisconsin Department of Corrections Probation Officer Minerva Santiago-Gomez to revoke his probation for a prior misdemeanor conviction for carrying a conceal gun. At the time De la Cruz-Espinosa was taken into custody by police in the Southside of Milwaukee for a frivolous probation violation, he didn't have any active warrants, according to state court records.

Chief Morales in his testimony during the F&PC hearing in 2019 stated, that "The Milwaukee Police Department responded to a request for assistance from law enforcement officers from ICE on September 23, 2019. Officers assisted ICE in the apprehension of Mr. Jose De la Cruz who was in violation of probation and had an active federal warrant. Just want to clear the air, that Mr. De la Cruz has a criminal history of fire arms possession, delivery of control substance, battery, receiving stolen property, disorderly conduct and obstructing. Milwaukee police officers were able to engage in active dialogue with Mr. De la Cruz, which deescalated the situation and allowed them to take him into custody without incident."

"The Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) does not engage in sweeps, there were no sweeps (immigration) in the last two years. This was assisting another law enforcement agency to make an arrest. An arrest that would have been made regardless, if you are a U.S. Citizen or not."

When police arrested De la Cruz-Espinosa, they immediately turn him over to ICE agents at the scene without any due process for the state probation violation.

Kristine De la Cruz told Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) that De la Cruz-Espinosa's lawyer confirmed that there was no active judicial federal warrant for her husband at the time of his arrest.

According to Ilrc dot com, "An ICE (administrative) warrant directs various federal immigration enforcement agents to arrest the person named in the warrant. Because it is not issued by a judge, an ICE warrant does not give the immigration enforcement officer the authority to demand entry to a home or private space in order to make the arrest. "ICE warrants do not generally provide a basis for a local or state law enforcement officer or agency (LEA) to arrest or detain anyone. Federal regulations allow a specific list of federal immigration agents to execute administrative immigration arrest warrants."

A video taken by members from Voces de la Frontera when the incident occurred in September 2019 showed that police nor ICE agents had warrants and De la Cruz's wife even made it clear that when ICE agents were asked to show a warrant for her husband, ICE agents refused to show a legal judicial warrant signed by a judge, simply because they had none.

Today, Police Chief Morales is up for a 6 months review by the F&PC to keep his job, but Morales lack of taking any action to discipline officers or to hold those officers and supervisors involved accountable for the De la Cruz-Espinosa incident in 2019 draws scrutiny and questions on whether Morales should continue as Chief of Police.

Tejano Legend Piano-Accordionist Beto Salinas Passed Away In Texas

Salinas was well known in the Mexican-American and Tejano social dance circles in the late 1960's to early 1970's in Milwaukee.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

June 14, 2020

San Antonio, Texas - On Saturday, Roberto Estrada Salinas, "Beto Salinas", 79, passed away in San Antonio. Salinas was originally from the town of San Javier in the municipality of General Trevino, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. He began to play the guitar and piano-accordion in his early life at local dance halls, cantinas (bars) including in churches. Salinas played with the duet Estrella for time and Chelelo from 1958 to 1959 before moving to the U.S.

In the 1960's to early 1970's, Salinas became very popular for his polka conjunto style of music and performed special events including at the popular Tony de la Rosa Bar in the 900 block of S. 16th Street in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and at the well known Latino (Mexican-American-Tejano) social epicenter dance hall known as the National Ballroom at the 600 block of W. National Ave.

Salinas along with other Mexican-American and Tejano musicians were very instrumental in keeping the polkas, rancheras and cumbias including the culture alive in those historic days where Latinos sparked the movement for civil rights, social change, equality, job opportunities, bilingual education and higher education in Milwaukee and throughout Wisconsin.

Salinas later moved to Texas where he performed with other groups known as conjuntos. He also played with the late Steve Jordan, another conjunto legend who played Mexican-American and Tejano conjunto style of venue (polkas).

Salinas also recorded songs with Eloy Bernal, El Macho Solice, Juan Sifuentes, Armando Peña and Joe Ramos.