48-year-old Wisconsin State Representative Sylvia N. Ortiz-Velez (D-Milw) Enters No Contest Plea To Misdemeanor Disorderly Conduct In Milwaukee County

Ortiz-Velez pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor criminal charge of disorderly conduct after a dispute over several legislative resolutions that got to personal in nature.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 13, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Friday, Wisconsin State Representative Sylvia N. Ortiz-Velez, 48, (D-Milw) in a plea agreement with the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office entered a "no contest" plea to one misdemeanor criminal count for disorderly conduct. Rep. Ortiz-Velez in return for her plea agreement, she 

received a $300 fine, must provide DNA, plus court costs including no probation, nor jail time. Ortiz-Velez was facing 90 days in jail and up to $1,000 in fines, if convicted.

Rep. Ortiz-Velez released a statement regarding her decision to plea "no contest". Pleading no contest, means that you are not pleading guilty, but you do know that the prosecution has enough evidence to prosecute you.

The misdemeanor criminal charge of disorderly conduct against Rep. Ortiz-Velez was in connection with alleged threats to Wisconsin State Representative Priscilla Prado, 42, (D-Milw) over a dispute regarding a Hispanic Month Joint 2025 Resolution and a Veteran's Hispanic Heritage Month Resolution during last year's Hispanic Heritage Month in the State.

Rep. Prado in the criminal complaint says that Ortiz-Velez had threatened her and that she would expose her and another male state legislator for alleged certain personal information regarding them. The criminal complaint did not specifically identify those alleged personal attacks.

During the court initial hearing on Friday, Micheal L. Chermin, the attorney representing Ortiz-Velez revealed that the alleged personal attack that was not included (mentioned) in the criminal complaint was that Rep. Prado allegedly engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior and drunkenness (while at a Democrat party gatherings). 

Attorney Chermin also told the court that Rep. Ortiz-Velez had talked on the phone with the minority Democrat leadership (Rep. Kalan Haywood) who recorded the call without her knowing, which Ortiz-Velez told him about Rep. Prado's inappropriate behavior while in office. Then the minority Democrat leadership used the call against Ortiz-Velez for Prado to filed criminal charges against her.

Then in September 2025, Rep. Ortiz-Velez was allegedly accused by multiple Democrats including State Assembly Representative Greta Neubauer, 34, (D-Racine) that Rep. Ortiz-Velez had made a gun threat against certain Democrats, but Ortiz-Velez denied the allegations and no criminal charges were ever filed against her by Capitol Police.

HNNUSA learned in September that she had talked to Rep. Neubauer about the Hispanic joint resolutions pending, then Rep. Kalan Haywood, 26, (D-Milw) talked to Rep. Ortiz-Velez on the phone while he was recording her without her knowing. Haywood then shared the recorded call with Rep. Neubauer who then shared it with Capitol Police claiming that Rep. Ortiz-Velez had threatened to shoot up the dems. Which after an investigation and speaking to Rep. Ortiz-Velez, they found no probable cause to charge Ortiz-Velez. Ortiz-Velez in her alleged threats had used a metaphor, according to Capitol Police.

Rep. Ortiz-Velez claimed that Rep. Neubauer and others were targeting her because she was going to propose legislation in connection with Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley who exceeded his powers during the COVID-19 crisis in 2010, when Ortiz-Velez was a Southside Milwaukee County Supervisor. Rep. Ortiz-Velez was able to introduce legislation to limit the powers of County Executives and it passed into law. (Article and Facebook post links: http://hispanicnewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2025/09/wisconsin-state-rep-greta-neubauer-d.html and https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BvjthTz9r/)

Crowley (D-Milw) is a candidate for Wisconsin Governor.

On February 20, 2026, Rep. Ortiz-Velez during the State Assembly floor address, she exposed Rep. Neubauer, the minority leader of prohibiting other Dems in the State Assembly from voting with Republicans on issues they favored.

Rep. Ortiz-Velez actively campaigned to elect Rep. Prado into office, and once Prado was elected, she later turned on Ortiz-Velez.

Editor's note: The Milwaukee County Court records in CCAP first reported that on Friday, Rep. Sylvia N. Ortiz-Velez entered a Not Guilty plea, then she decided to enter a "No Contest" plea, but CCAP then in a error reported that Ortiz-Velez pleaded guilty, which is an error committed by the court staffer logging the court results.

Wanted 35-year-old Tow Truck Driver Johnathan Jay Otto Fatally Shot By Milwaukee Police Officer In The Southside Of Milwaukee

35-year-old Otto was fatally shot by a Milwaukee police officer in the Southside of Milwaukee.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 12, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Thursday, a Milwaukee police officer who was holding to the driver's side door of a flatbed White tow truck fatally shot Johnathan Jay Otto, 35, a Native-American truck driver who failed to stop.

The officer attempted to arrest Otto by his residence for a parole violation, but he sped away with a passenger in the tow truck, while the officer held on to the driver's side door. The officer told Otto multiple times to stop or he would shoot him, but Otto kept on going and the officer then shot him. The tow truck then stopped at the 1500 block of W. Grant Street in the Southside of Milwaukee.

Ana Rios released the video recording to media showing the tow truck moving while the Milwaukee police officer held on.

According to Otto's wife (girlfriend) Emily Hernández on Wednesday, in a posted social media video (6:57 minutes) says, that she witnessed her husband get killed by a Milwaukee police officer, who jumped on the tow truck and wouldn't get off when asked by her and her husband Otto to get off. She said, that Otto stopped twice for the officer to get off the truck, but he wouldn't get off. She said that, Otto was driving at least 20 mph, but stopped twice for the officer to get off, she begged the officer to get off, but he wouldn't, then the officer told Otto "I'm going to fucking kill you", he grabbed his gun and shot Otto on the head at point blank. Otto died in front of his wife. She also alleged that Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey B. Norman lied about what had happen and she is seeking justice for Johnathan Otto. (Facebook video by Otto's wife at link: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1FBmmwtBqb/)

The Milwaukee Police Department released the following press release regarding the police involved shooting.

On Thursday, March 12, 2026, at approximately 10:00 a.m., Milwaukee Police Department officers along with a Department of Corrections Agent responded to the 1900 block of South 12th Street to check for a wanted suspect with a parole violation.

Upon arrival, an officer in full uniform encountered the suspect who was inside a full-sized flatbed tow truck with a passenger in the truck. The officer approached the suspect and ordered that he exit the truck. The suspect refused and the officer attempted to remove him from the truck at which time the suspect immediately started the vehicle and suddenly drove off at a high rate of speed while the officer was clinging to the suspect and the driver's side window.

The suspect drove the truck for several blocks as the officer clung to the side of the truck. The officer gave several commands to the suspect to stop the truck, even informing the suspect that if he did not stop he would shoot. The suspect continued to refuse these commands multiple times. At this time, the officer discharged his firearm subsequently striking the suspect, and finally stopping the truck.

While this was occurring, the officer's partner was in pursuit of the truck with lights and sirens activated attempting to catch up to pull over the truck.

The suspect, a 35-year-old male, sustained fatal injuries. The passenger was not physically injured by the gunfire but was transported for medical treatment out of an abundance of caution. We recognize that exposure to incidents like this are traumatic and our thoughts are with the passenger.

The officer that discharged his firearm is a 46-year-old male with over 21 years of service. 

He was transported to a hospital for treatment of non-fatal injuries. He will be placed on administrative duty as is routine in officer involved shootings.

The Milwaukee Area Investigative Team will be investigating this incident. The West Allis Police Department is the lead investigating agency.

Once An Inspiring Reggaetón Artist, 37-year-old Miguel A. Aponte Sentenced To Life In Prison, Eligible For Parole in 40 Years, For The 2023 Homicide Of Laeng Sanavongsay, 49, In Ozuakee County

Aponte, an inspiring Reggaetón freestyling singing artist from Waukesha gets life in prison for the homicide of Laeng Sanavongsay in the Town of Grafton in Ozuakee County.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 11, 2026

Town of Grafton, Wisconsin - On Monday, Miguel A. Aponte, 37, of New Berlin,  also known as "Incredulo", a inspiring popular Reggaetón freestyling singing artist from Waukesha County was sentenced to life in prison, but will be eligible for parole (supervision) in 40 years, in Ozuakee County for the March 4, 2023 homicide of Laeng Sanavongsay, 49, from Texas in the Town of Grafton in Ozuakee County. Sanavongsay's body was found in the back seat of a charred vehicle, with a gunshot wound to the right of the victim's head. 

A jury found Aponte guilty of 1st-degree intentional homicide including party to a crime and bail jumping, according to Ozuakee County court records.

The Ozuakee County Medical Examiner's Office (OCMEO) determined that Sanavongsay's death was a homicide. The OCMEO also found that Sanavongsay had also suffered several broken ribs and that his wrist showed signs of being bound.

Sanavongsay's body was found in the back seat of a rental car from Illinois, with tape on his mouth and hands bound. The vehicle was set on fire on the side of Highway C near Tallgrass Drive in the Town of Grafton. 

Aponte was connected to the homicide by DNA found in the vehicle and the victim's cellphone tracking showed he was at the proximity of where Aponte lived before his body was found.

The Sanavongsay homicide case remains open, Aponte's accomplices have not been arrested in the case. According to the Ozuakee County District Attorney's Office, Aponte did not acted alone.

Chicago Couple, Vanessa Soler, 43, And Rob Villanueva, 50, Taunted Mexican Folkloric Dancers With Racist ICE Threats And Threw Unidentified Liquid At Teens, Including Women Over The Weekend

A Chicago couple is facing backlash after a 43-year-old woman and her 50-year-old boyfriend were video recorded taunting and making racist USICE remarks and threats including throwing an unidentified liquid at Mexican Folkloric teen dancers over the weekend.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 9, 2026

Chicago, Illinois - Last Friday, a group of teens who were leaving the Ballad Folklorico de Chicago dance studio in the Avondale neighborhood were met with a couple identified as Vanessa Soler, 43, and Robert "Rob" Villanueva, 50, who were on the second floor balcony of the backside of their apartment building taunting and making USICE racist remarks at women and the teens. Soler in a recorded video of the incident is heard telling the teens, "you're lucky ICE is not here" and her boyfriend Villanueva is also heard repeating what Soler had shouted at the women and teens. Villanueva is also seen going into the apartment and then coming out with a container and he then throws an unidentified liquid at multiple teens and at three women ages, 40, 41 and 43 who were  downstairs and he repeats it again.

Soler and Villanueva allegedly told media outlets that the teens were making noise while they were passing by their apartment building alley at 4010 - 4008 W. Wellington Ave. in Chicago.

The parents of the teens called and Miriam Gómez, an instructor of the Ballad Folklorico de Chicago says, that it's not the first time that Soler and Villanueva have made racist remarks at the teens from the dance studio.

Gómez is filing a protective order (restraining order) against Soler and Villanueva.

In a press release on Saturday, the Ballad Folklorico de Chicago at 3006 N. Pulaski Rd. says, "We have filed a police report and will filing a protective order on Monday and press charges. Behavior like that is Not Ok!"

Update: Robert Villanueva, 50, has been charged with 5 misdemeanor counts for simple battery in Cook County and has a scheduled court appearance for April 9, 2026.

MATC Ignores Communities Of Color Needs, President Dr. Anthony Cruz Has Refused To Restore The Multicultural Student Services At The Technical College

The current MATC administration under Dr. Cruz has become one of the most scandalous in the college's history, and accountability is needed to address these ongoing issues.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 6, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - In previous news reports, Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) had identified the Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) Human Services Office led by Vice-President and Chief Human Resource Officer Laquitha Bonds-Jones as the epicenter of the alleged troublesome and scandalous internal acts perpetuated under Bonds-Jones that have affected part-time instructors and other employees. 

Under Bonds-Jones, wages from part-time instructors were cut without them or the Local 212 (MATC union) knowing about it until employees discovered the wage discrepancy and the MATC union addressed the issue. MATC had to compensate cut wages to the part-time instructors in a timely manner. Then under Bonds-Jones, once again it was discovered that the Human Resources had decreased sick leave pay for part-time instructors without them knowing until it was discovered. 

To date, the earned sick leave pay has not been fully restored to the MATC part-time instructors, according to sources. Also, Bonds-Jones was allegedly caught by Local 212 altering approved policies without any authorization from Dr. Anthony Cruz, President of MATC or the MATC Board of Trustees including the knowledge of Local 212, which affected MATC instructors and employees. (Article link: http://hispanicnewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2025/10/300-matc-part-time-instructors-win-back.html)

Another matter was also exposed when the MATC Board of Trustees heard public comment testimony in a meeting in 2024, that the Human Resources hired a non-bilingual (Spanish-English) instructor to teach an economics course advertised as a bilingual courses. To make it even worst, then MATC canceled an economic bilingual course in 2025 when students had already registered to take, in order for MATC not to hire or promote a part-time bilingual instructor to full-time instructor. (October 2024 video testimony: https://youtu.be/Lm_ImpZGXn4)

Under Dr. Cruz, MATC Board of Trustees and Bonds-Jones, four student services specialists from the Office of Multicultural Student Services were terminated when the student services were eliminated in August 2025 and replaced by the Office of Community Impact to comply with Trump's executive order to eliminate all race based programs under Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), which multiple federal courts ruled that Trump's directive was illegal and unconstitutional because it violated instructors free speech in their classrooms. (Article link: https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/department-of-education-backs-down-on-unlawful-directive-targeting-educational-equity)

On August 20, 2025, Bonds-Jones, the Vice-President of Human Resources at MATC in an email shared by sources with HNNUSA, she confirmed that four Student Service Specialist staff positions at the Office of Multicultural Services have been eliminated to comply with the U.S. Department of Education guidelines "that prohibits positions with duties that provide services exclusively to students based on race or ethnicity. The four student service specialist roles in question were designed solely to serve students of a specific race/ethnic group. Because those roles could not be restructured to comply with the guidance, the duties themselves were eliminated, and the positions tied to them no longer exist." (Article link: http://hispanicnewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2025/08/dr-cruz-and-matc-board-allegedly.html)

On February 24, 2026, the Multicultural Coalition to Reclaim MATC once again demanded for Dr. Cruz and the MATC Board of Trustees to restore the Multicultural Student Services, but to date, neither Dr. Cruz and the MATC Board of Trustees haven't publicly responded to the Coalition's demands, nor have they acted in good faith to restore transparency and accountability. (Article link: http://hispanicnewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2026/02/matc-board-of-trustees-continue-their.html)

Lastly, but not a conclusion yet, the Human Resources Office under Bonds-Jones has proliferated an ongoing hostile work environment for instructors and employees, blatant job discrimination and not promoting employees from part-time to full-time employees, harassment and retaliation tactics against employees and instructors that have filed complaints, eliminating positions to justify the termination of employees and the list goes on and on, which Dr. Cruz and the MATC Board of Trustees have failed to resolve. 

It's a shame that MATC continues to receive donations from scholarship programs like the Ellen and Joe Checota, which the scholarship will provide $15M to support students pursuing trade and technical certificates, despite MATC eliminating the Multicultural Student Services disenfranchising the following communities of color, Latino/Hispanic, African-American, Asian-American and Native-American including students. Major donors should do the right thing and hold MATC accountable before donating to MATC when its internal Human Resources Office operation continues to foster plaguing employees related issues affecting instructors, staff and students alike.

In other words, MATC in social media and its so-called propaganda advertising has attempted to created a superficial (fake) image of success, when in fact its internal operations is plague with human resource failures to address and resolve years of employee related complaints and the lack of credible reform by the MATC administration.

A "No Confidence" sentiment continues to grow against the MATC administration and Dr. Cruz for their ongoing failure to reform and remedy the issues at hand. 

The members of the MATC Board of Trustees are, Erica L. Case, Chairperson; Citlali Mendieta-Ramos, Vice-Chairperson; Dr. Waleed Najeeb, Secretary; Gail Pence, Treasurer; Lauren Baker; Mark F. Foley and Wisconsin State Representative Supreme Moore-Omokunde (D-Milw). (MATC Board of Directors | MATC https://share.google/JBtolZmTGaz4lo885)

33-year-old James Douglas McMillan From Greenfield, Wisconsin Shot Dead By Texas Law Enforcement After Pursuit On Highway I-10

A Wisconsin convicted felon fled from a U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint in Texas in a stolen vehicle and was shot dead by Texas law enforcement.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 5, 2025

Sierra Blanca, Texas - The Texas Department of Public Safety (TXDPS) reported on X (formerly Twitter) that on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at around 10:30 a.m. CT, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Texas Highway Patrol Troopers and Aircraft Operations Division (AOD) pilots were called to assist in a high-speed pursuit involving a vehicle that fled a U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) checkpoint along I-10 in Sierra Blanca. The preliminary investigation showed that the suspected driver was identified as James Douglas McMillan, 33, of Greenfield, Wisconsin (convicted felon in WI) who allegedly took off from the checkpoint after a USBP Drug K-9 alerted agents of alleged (drug or unidentified) contraband in the vehicle and agents directed McMillan to pull over for a secondary search. 

During the pursuit, McMillan – the only person in the vehicle – began shooting out the window at DPS Troopers, other responding law enforcement from the Culberson Co. Sheriff's Office, Hudspeth Co. Sheriff's Office, Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC) and indiscriminately at civilian vehicles. As law enforcement returned fire, DPS Troopers performed a precision immobilization technique (PIT) maneuver and successfully stopped the suspect vehicle. McMillan barricaded himself in his vehicle and eventually pointed his weapon towards officers – officers then discharged their weapons. McMillan was then fatally shot by law enforcement. No law enforcement officers or civilians were injured.

The continued investigation shows the vehicle McMillan was driving was reported stolen out of Arizona. This is an active and ongoing investigation by the Texas Rangers, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and USBP. No additional information is available at this time.

While there is no further threat to the community, drivers were asked to avoid I-10 near Kent as a traffic highway road block created congestion, but traffic was eventually allowed to proceed, according to the TXDPS.

McMillan's criminal history in Wisconsin: On July 30, 2022, McMillan was convicted in Kenosha County, Wisconsin for one felony count of attempted armed robbery with threat of force.

On September 5, 2013, McMillan was convicted in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin on two felony counts for armed robbery with threat of force.

On October 17, 2012, McMillan pled no contest in Milwaukee County to possession of marijuana and paid a fine of $400, according to Milwaukee County court records in Wisconsin.

74-year-old Angel Luis Santiago Convicted Of Killing Aurora Weier, 45, In 1985 In Milwaukee Passed Away At The Oshkosh Correctional Institute

Santiago passed away due congestive heart failure, according to sources.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 3, 2026

Oshkosh, Wisconsin - The Wisconsin Department of Corrections reported on its inmate website that Angel Luis Santiago, 74, who was serving a life term in prison for the November 4, 1985 homicide of Aurora Weier, 45, in Milwaukee has passed away at the Oshkosh Correctional Institute on November 11, 2025. Santiago died from congestive heart failure, according to sources.

Santiago was sentenced to life in prison with five years extended incarceration, in 2001, he eventually confessed to a reporter while being incarcerated at the Prairie Correctional Facility in Appleton, Minnesota that he as a sniper fatally shot Weier with a rifle from across the street as she was walking with her 7-year-old son into a Latino community center known as the Enrichment Center that was later renamed the Aurora Weier Educational Center, an alternative high school for Latino youths at N. Richards and W. Center Streets in Milwaukee.

Santiago, well known Puerto Rican community organizer who was then the Director of the United Youth Federation apparently became distraught that Weier was an emerging Latina leader and was successful in getting funding for the Enrichment Center. Santiago had experienced deficit funding issues in his organization.

Weier was originally from Panama who saw a need for Latinos to get educated in the Holton Latino and Puerto Rican neighborhood.

Milwaukee Bucks Latino Night 2026 Sports Fan Jóse Díaz Prohibited By Fiserv Forum Usher From Displaying Mexican Flag Inside The Game Seat Section

Díaz was apparently targeted by a Black female usher at the annual Milwaukee Bucks Latino Nights 2026 Fiserv Forum event for displaying a Mexican flag at the game. The female usher prohibited Díaz from displaying the flag from Mexico, according to a video recording by Díaz of the incident on Monday night.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 3, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Tuesday, Jóse Díaz, a Milwaukee Bucks fan who attended the annual Latino Night 2026 Bucks game at the Fiserv Forum on Monday told Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) that a Black female usher prohibited him from displaying the flag from Mexico at the seat section where he was seating with other Latino attendees. The Fiserv Forum usher told Díaz that flags weren't allowed at the Fiserv Forum, but she didn't cite or explained any rules banning foreign flags at the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics game, according to Díaz. But, Díaz complied and put away his Mexican flag. (Full video of incident and Díaz describing what happened to him at link: https://youtube.com/shorts/znexTvxj6PA)

Díaz also noted that no signs were posted prohibiting sport fans from displaying foreign flags or any other type of sports paraphernalia inside the seat sections during a game.

Díaz did noticed that a Puerto Rico flag was displayed at another seat section and other foreign flags from Latin and Central American countries were displayed at the Fiserv Forum by fans and vendors attending the Latino Night at the event.

Díaz also told HNNUSA that afterwards, he talked to the Fiserv Forum customer service about his unfortunate incident with the Black female usher and they told him that it shouldn't had happened.

Díaz says that he plans to file a complaint with the Fiserv Forum usher services and Milwaukee Bucks and other organizers who sponsored the annual Latino Night.

The Fiserv Forum at the Deer District has a capacity of 17,000 people.

The Latino sports culture is well known to showcase the pride of Hispanic sports fans, especially displaying foreign flags and other sports paraphernalia.

Milwaukee County Criminal Complaint Against Wisconsin State Representative Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (D-Milw) By Three Dems Frivolous And Act Of Hypocrisy

Wisconsin State Representatives, Priscilla Prado, Greta Neubauer and Kalan Haywood, all democrats apparently co-sponsored a state assembly bill that Representative Sylvia Ortiz-Velez, also a democrat had authored just 25 days after they filed a complaint against Ortiz-Velez with Capitol Police for allegedly threatening to use an AR-15 on the three dems. Capitol Police in Madison investigated the allegation and found no probable cause to criminally charge Ortiz-Velez.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 2, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Monday, Victor Huyke, the Publisher of El Conquistador Latino Newspaper posted on his personal Facebook page that Wisconsin State Representatives Priscilla Prado from Milwaukee, Greta Neubauer from Racine and Kalan Haywood from Milwaukee had filed a complaint with Capitol Police regarding an alleged threat made by Wisconsin State Representative Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (D-Milw) against the three dems in early September 2025 over two joint Hispanic Heritage Month and Hispanic Veterans resolutions, but Capitol Police investigated the alleged threat by Ortiz-Velez and they found no probable cause to criminally charge her. But 25 days later, Representatives Prado, Neubauer and Haywood co-sponsored a proposed Assembly Bill AB 441/SB 444, which required law enforcement officers to identify themselves as such, wear surnames, department insignia on their uniform and badge number including the prohibition of officers covering their faces or other disguise to conceal their identities while detaining or arresting individuals that was originally authored by Rep.  Ortiz-Velez, how ironic. (Huyke's Facebook post at link: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18ETBzqyKN/ and HNNUSA article link: http://hispanicnewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2025/09/wisconsin-state-rep-greta-neubauer-d.html)

Since the three dems mentioned, Prado, Neubauer and Haywood couldn't get Capitol Police to find probable cause to criminally charged Ortiz-Velez in Dane County in early September 2025, Prado filed a complaint with the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office that included Neubauer and Haywood as potential  witnesses regarding  Representative Ortiz-Velez allegedly making a threat to expose Prado's inappropriate personal actions to a reporter.

The Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office filed a one count misdemeanor charge against Rep. Ortiz-Velez on February 25, 2026, which no doubt is a frivolous complaint at best. (HNNUSA article link: http://hispanicnewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2026/02/wi-state-rep-sylvia-n-ortiz-velez-48-d.html)

According  to Wisconsin Right Now (WRN), a known right-wing news website, a article dated March 1. 2026, regarding the criminal complaint filed against Ortiz-Velez says, that she has speech protection (immunity) in regards to making any comments during the Assembly floor or outside, since it's related to resolutions regardless, if debate, discussions and controversy is created. (WRN article: https://www.wisconsinrightnow.com/sylvia-ortiz-velez-milwaukee-charge/)

The hypocrisy by Prado, Neubauer and Haywood is evident, if they felt threatened by Rep. Ortiz-Velez in September 2025, then why would they help co-sponsor AB 441/SB 444 that Ortiz-Velez authored? (Bills link: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/ab441, bill text link: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/proposals/ab441, and https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/sb444#, bill text bill link: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/proposals/sb444)

The worst part about it, is that Rep. Ortiz-Velez helped Rep. Prado in her campaign to get elected to the state assembly, and Prado in return turned against Rep. Ortiz-Velez. Politics makes very strange bedfellows as the saying goes.

Rep. Neubauer is the Democrat minority leader in the Wisconsin State Assembly. 

On February 20, 2026, Rep. Ortiz-Velez outed in the State Assembly floor when asked, if she was ever told to leave the Assembly floor and not vote for her 8th District,  Ortiz-Velez said "Yes". It seems that the Democrat minority leader Rep. Neubauer had been prohiting other Dems from voting in a bipartisan vote on bills with Republicans that they favored, according to sources.

In brief: Apparently, it seems that several days after, three legislators from the Democrat Caucus allegedly retaliated against Rep. Ortiz-Velez for exposing that democrats have been told to leave the Assembly floor and go home in order not to vote for Republican bills. Rep. Prado filed a complaint with the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office accusing Ortiz-Velez of making a threat to expose personal inappropriate actions by Prado to a reporter. The Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office filed a criminal complaint for disorderly conduct against Ortiz-Velez on February 25, 2026 and Prado's alleged witnesses were Rep. Neubauer and Rep. Kalan Haywood. Haywood secretly recorded a phone call between him and Ortiz-Velez in early September 2025.

Editor's note:

In the criminal complaint against Rep. Ortiz-Velez, witness 1 is Rep. Priscilla Prado, witness 2 is Rep. Kalan Haywood and witness 3 is Rep. Greta Neubauer. All Democrats.

In the criminal complaint, Rep. Neubauer (witness 3) is accusing Ortiz-Velez (defendant) of making statements that she would expose inappropriate personal actions against Prado (witness 1). Apparently the call between Ortiz-Velez, Neubauer and Rep. Haywood (witness 2) was allegedly recorded by Haywood. (See attached criminal complaint)

In a developing scenario, Wisconsin State Representative Jim Piwowarczyk (R) requested the Capitol Police investigation records regarding Ortiz-Velez, but the State of Wisconsin Department of Administration in an email to Rep. Piwowarczyk that the Governor Tony Evers Office allegedly referred criminal charges against Ortiz-Velez to the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office and refusing to release the Capitol Police records to Piwowarczyk because of an open pending criminal case against  Ortiz-Velez. (Piwowarczyk Facebook post link: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GGB3kwSZ6/)

It all sounds like a political prosecution by Democrats against another Democrat, simply because  Ortiz-Velez is supporting Wisconsin Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez (D) for Governor and outgoing Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers (D) is supporting Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley for Governor. While Representatives Prado, Neubauer and Haywood are supporting Crowley for Governor.

Ortiz-Velez helped pass a bill that would limit County executive powers during state of emergencies, which involved Crowley during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis who took control of all the County matters without the oversight of Milwaukee County Supervisors. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ortiz-Velez was a Milwaukee County Supervisor. (County Executive powers limited during state of emergencies at link: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18GxMwkKE4/)

Ortiz-Velez is expected to enter a not guilty plea in her criminal case for disorderly conduct, which will most likely break open the entire case and reveal the actual and alleged motives why the criminal complaint was filed against her.

3 Additional Wisconsin County Sheriff Departments Have Signed 287(g) Agreements With USICE Totalling 17 Counties Of 72 In The State

17 County sheriff departments have signed 287(g) agreements with USICE in Wisconsin, including two that are pending approval.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

February 28, 2026

Wisconsin - Three additional Wisconsin sheriff departments have signed into 287(g) agreements with USICE, one was approved and two are pending.

The three sheriff departments in Wisconsin that have signed 287(g) agreements with USICE, include the counties of Dunn, Green Lake and Walworth. The Dunn County Sheriff's Department agreement was signed February 10, 2026, while the Green Lake County and Walworth County Sheriff Departments are still pending. Under the 287(g) agreement program with USICE, the county sheriffs will allow deputies to work under the warrant service officer model task force to detain (arrest) undocumented immigrants targeted by USICE with administrative warrants, who are processed at the County jail bookings for traffic violations stops, misdemeanors and felony crimes.

The Palmyra Village Board and Police Department decided in November 14, 2025 not to move forward with the 287(g) task force agreement with USICE. 

USICE has a contract agreement with Dodge County to hold federal detainees and undocumented immigrants arrested by USICE in their County jail, but the County does not have a 287(g) agreement with USICE.

So far, there are currently 17 county sheriff departments of 72 counties in Wisconsin that are in the 287(g) program task force agreement with USICE. The counties include the following sheriff departments:

• Brown County Sheriff's Office 

• Calumet County Sheriff's Office 

• Dunn County Sheriff's Office 

• Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office 

• Green Lake County Sheriff's Department (pending approval by USICE)

• Kenosha County Sheriff's Office 

• Kewaunee County Sheriff's Office 

• Manitowoc County Sheriff's Office 

• Marquette County Sheriff's Office 

• Outagamie County Sheriff's Office 

• Sheboygan County Sheriff's Office 

• Walworth County Sheriff's Office (pending approval by USICE)

• Washington County Sheriff's Office 

• Waukesha County Sheriff's Office 

• Waushara County Sheriff's Office 

• Winnebago County Sheriff's Office 

• Wood County Sheriff's Office 

19-year-old Christian Brandon Martin Sentenced To Life In Prison For The 2024 Homicide Of Nelson Manuel López Correa, 15, In The Southside Of Milwaukee

Martin was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of López Correa.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

February 26, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Thursday, Christian Brandon Martin, 19, was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after serving 45 years for the 1st-degree intentional homicide on October 28, 2024 of Nelson Manuel López Correa, 15, in the Southside of Milwaukee.

Martin was convicted in December 2025 for shooting López Correa once in the side of the head at the 1600 block of W. Forest Home Ave. while talking to a female that used to date Martin.

WI State Rep. Sylvia N. Ortiz-Velez, 48, (D-Milw) Charged With Disorderly Conduct For Allegedly Threatening To Release Personal Information About State Rep. Priscilla Prado, 43, (D-Milw)

Wisconsin State Representative Ortiz-Velez was charged with disorderly conduct in connection with threats made to Wisconsin State Representative Prado over a Veteran's recognition legislation dispute in Madison.

By H. Nelson Goodson Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

February 25, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Wednesday, the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office filed a criminal misdemeanor charge against Wisconsin State Representative Sylvia N. Ortiz-Velez, 48, (D-Milw) for disorderly conduct in connection with alleged threats to Wisconsin State Representative Priscilla Prado, 42, (D-Milw) over a dispute regarding a Hispanic Month Joint 2025 Resolution and a Veteran's Hispanic Heritage Month Resolution during last year's Hispanic Heritage Month in the State.

If convicted, Ortiz-Velez is facing 90 days in jail, and up to $1,000 in fines, or both. Rep. Ortiz-Velez is scheduled for an initial court appearance at Room 221 in the Safety Building on March 6 in Milwaukee.

Attempts by Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) to contact Ortiz-Velez were unsuccessful.

The recent misdemeanor charge stems from an incident (August 2025) that happened at the Wisconsin State Capitol where Rep. Prado proposed legislation to recognized Hispanic Veterans in the state during Hispanic Heritage Month. Apparently, Prado beat Rep. Ortiz-Velez in proposing the legislation, which Ortiz-Velez was accustomed to propose annually. Rep. Ortiz-Velez then proposed her own Hispanic Month Joint Resolution 2025 and Hispanic Month Veterans Resolution as well. (Facebook post: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1bhpvFcKbg/)

Rep. Ortiz-Velez was excluded from the proposed Hispanic Month Joint resolution by Rep. Prado and the Democrat Caucus in the State Assembly. (Article link: http://hispanicnewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2025/08/wisconsin-latino-democrat-assembly.html)

Rep. Prado in the criminal complaint says that Ortiz-Velez had threatened her and that she would expose her and another male state legislator for alleged certain personal information regarding them. The criminal complaint did not specifically identify those alleged personal attacks.

Then in September 2025, Rep. Ortiz-Velez was allegedly accused by multiple Democrats including State Assembly Representative Greta Neubauer, 34, (D-Racine) that Rep. Ortiz-Velez had made a gun threat against certain Democrats, but Ortiz-Velez denied the allegations and no criminal charges were ever filed against her by Capitol Police.

HNNUSA learned in September that she had talked to Rep. Neubauer about the Hispanic joint resolutions pending, then Rep. Kalan Haywood, 26, (D-Milw) talked to Rep. Ortiz-Velez on the phone while he was recording her without her knowing. Haywood then shared the recorded call with Rep. Neubauer who then shared it with Capitol Police claiming that Rep. Ortiz-Velez had threatened to shoot up the dems. Which after an investigation and speaking to Rep. Ortiz-Velez, they found no probable cause to charge Ortiz-Velez.

Rep. Ortiz-Velez claimed that Rep. Neubauer and others were targeting her because she was going to propose legislation in connection with Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley who exceeded his powers during the COVID-19 crisis in 2010, when Ortiz-Velez was a Southside Milwaukee County Supervisor. Rep. Ortiz-Velez was able to introduce legislation to limit the powers of County Executives and it passed into law. (Article and Facebook post links: http://hispanicnewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2025/09/wisconsin-state-rep-greta-neubauer-d.html and https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BvjthTz9r/)

Crowley (D-Milw) is a candidate for Wisconsin Governor.

Rep. Ortiz-Velez on Friday during the State Assembly floor address, she exposed Rep. Neubauer, the minority leader of prohibiting other Dems in the State Assembly from voting with Republicans on issues they favored.

Editor's note: Rep. Ortiz-Velez actively campaigned to elect Rep. Prado into office, and once Prado was elected, she later turned on Ortiz-Velez.

According to the Wisconsin Right Now (WRN), a known right-wing conservative news website, in a recent article dated March 1, 2026, it claimed that Rep. Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (D-Milw) has protected speech as a State legislator under the Wisconsin State Constitution that the Milwaukee Democrats at the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office, especially District Attorney Kent Lovern haven't realized exists. Rep. Ortiz-Velez apparently has protected free speech in matters involving proposed resolutions and discussions among legislators regardless of disagreements, debate and controversy that resolutions create. (WRN article: https://www.wisconsinrightnow.com/sylvia-ortiz-velez-milwaukee-charge/)

33-year-old Josue Ayala, A Milwaukee Police Officer Charged With Attempted Misconduct In Public Office For Tracking His Dating Partner On The Flock Camera System Surveillance

Ayala illegally used the Flock Camera System to track his dating partner and his partner's former dating partner, which was deemed an unauthorized use of the system. 

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

February 24, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Tuesday, Milwaukee Police Officer Josue Ayala, 33, was criminally charged with one misdemeanor count of attempted misconduct in office, which is a negotiated resignation from the police department agreement (condition) with the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office.

If convicted, Ayala id facing 9-months in jail and up to $10,000 in fines, or both for attempted misconduct in office.

Apparently, one of the victims went to the website called www dot haveibeenflocked dot com and learned that Officer Ayala had been using the Flock Camera Systen, a license plate recognition platform to track his/her location, multiple times (55 times), and also became aware that his/her ex-partner who was now dating Officer Ayala was also tracked more than 124 times from March 26, 2025 to May 26, 2025 by Ayala, according to the criminal investigation.

Ayala was working at the Milwaukee Police Department District 2 Station in the Southside of Milwaukee when he began to track the personal license plates of his partner and ex-partner's vehicle as well to learned the whereabouts of both persons, according to the criminal complaint.

Ayala has been suspended pending the outcome of the criminal case and his resignation is also pending from the department.

MATC Board Of Trustees Continue Their Defiance To Adhere Communities Of Color Demands To Restore The Multicultural Student Services At The Technical College

The Milwaukee Area Technical College Board of Trustees seemed to continue their usual practice to defy and ignore the communities of colors demands to restore the Multicultural Student Services and to rehire 4 MATC employees related to the phased out Multicultural services and an additional employee.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

February 24, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Tuesday, February 24, 2026, both Anabel Chávez and Carlos Aranda made public comments during the Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) Board of Trustees meeting regarding multiple issues that haven't been resolved by MATC President Dr. Anthony Cruz and the full Board of Trustees since last August 2025. Chávez who is a part-time instructor at the technical college read a two-page letter from the Multicultural Coalition to Reclaim MATC composed of 14 local organizations, faith and labor leaders and community advocates. According to the released statement by the Coalition, it had three demands, 1. The reopening of the Multicultural center and the immediate reinstatement of the four terminated employees; and the librarian who was wrongfully terminated. 2. Full restitution of lost wages and benefits; and 3. An independent audit of MATC Human Resources practices, echoing previous community calls for transparency and accountability. (Board meeting dated 2/24/2026 video link: https://youtu.be/DHmEeiBK2uw)

The Coalition also says that recently, the Trump administration dropped their appeal to a federal court decision in August 2025 that ruled that it was a violation of free speech for the Trump administration to deny federal funds to colleges and universities that have Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs.

The decision to close MATC's Multicultural Center and terminate four employees of color that reflected and worked closely with our diverse student base (Black, Latine, Asian and indigenous) was directly tied to the intimidation tactics and threats by the Trump Administration. On August 19, 2025, these individuals received termination letters signed by President Cruz, citing recent changes in U.S. government policy as justification. (Article link: https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/department-of-education-backs-down-on-unlawful-directive-targeting-educational-equity)

Our coalition strongly disputes both the rationale and the process underlying these actions. Given recent court decisions, the rationale for closing the center and terminating these employees no longer exists.

We do not believe that the proposed services intended to replace the Multicultural Center sufficiently or appropriately meet the needs of MATC's diverse student body. The elimination of established multicultural services-without meaningful engagement with affected communities--represents a significant step backward in MATC's long-standing commitment to access, inclusion, and student success, the Coalition wrote in a statement read by Chávez at the Board of Trustees meeting.

Aranda, Ed. D., a Counselor at MATC in a statement said, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a public institution. It is funded by taxpayers and supported by donors who trust that their contributions advance education - not finance preventable lawsuits, settlements, or the consequences of unlawful employment practices. Public funds must never be used to defend actions that leadership knew were unjust. 

This concern is not new.

In December 2024, I addressed this Board regarding a female employee who had filed multiple formal complaints. While she was on approved FMLA leave, her position was eliminated -- effectively terminating her employment. That decision raised serious ethical and legal concerns.

In September 2025, a female librarian who had been performing full-time duties as a full-time LTE applied for the permanent position she was already effectively doing. Instead, HR hired an outside candidate with less experience. She was not offered a return to her prior full-time role and was left unemployed. This reflects not only poor judgment- but a failure of basic fairness and stewardship.

More recently, another female employee disclosed that she was ill and taking prescribed medication with known side effects. After being found asleep at work, she was brought into a "fact-finding" process that could have led to termination. Rather than first offering ADA accommodation information, engaging in the legally required interactive process, or responding with basic empathy, she was placed on a disciplinary track. The psychological distress became so significant that she ultimately requested early retirement.

These three cases involve white women. This demonstrates that the issue before us is not confined to race alone. Women-across race, age, and role - are being harmed under the current administration, on our watch.

This is not leadership. This is harmful.

The cases I have mentioned are not isolated incidents. They are examples. There are many more employees who have experienced retaliation, intimidation, marginalization, or procedural irregularities. What the public sees is only a fraction of what has occurred internally.

Therefore, l am asking you directly:

• Reinstate the five terminated employees. 

• Restore their lost wages and benefits. 

• Commit publicly to an independent review of employment practices. 

• Ensure that anti-retaliation protections are honored not only in written policy - but in daily practice. 

If this Board is unwilling to correct actions that have caused documented psychological and financial harm, then respectfully ask you to reflect on whether continued service aligns with your fiduciary and moral responsibilities.

Today, members from the communities of color in Milwaukee, Wisconsin are demanding for Dr. Cruz and the entire MATC Board of Trustees to resign for their disservice and negligence to eliminate the Multicultural Student Services at the technical college that served students from the communities of color for 50 years. (Facebook post link: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1XvDmmJ88U/)

MATC has not halted its continued elimination of other DEI related services and programs at the technical college.

The members of the MATC Board of Trustees are, Erica L. Case, Chairperson; Citlali Mendieta-Ramos, Vice-Chairperson; Dr. Waleed Najeeb, Secretary; Gail Pence, Treasurer; Lauren Baker; Mark F. Foley and Wisconsin State Representative Supreme Moore-Omokunde (D-Milw). (MATC Board of Directors | MATC https://share.google/JBtolZmTGaz4lo885)

Ediror's note: The communities of color should ensure that every school and higher education institution continues to apply DEI initiatives to ensure every student and instructor is protected under Diversity, Equity and Inclusion directives as previously provided.

31-year-old Da'Quan Johnson Shot In The Back Of The Head By Grand Rapids Cop, K-9 Police Dog Also Attacked Victim Mauling At His Neck

Johnson was facing to the ground when a Grand Rapids police officer had a grip on both his hands, then the officer takes out his handgun, pointed it behind Johnson's head and discharged it and fatally striking the victim.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

February 21, 2026

Grand Rapids, Michigan - On Wednesday, January 18, 2026, around 9:30 p.m. Grand Rapids police fatally shot Da'Quan Johnson, 31, in the back of the head, according to a cellphone video showing the fatal shots. Johnson riding a bicycle was being pursuit by police units, he rode into a multiple unit apartment parking lot near Eastern Avenue and Logan Street in Grand Rapids.

While getting off his bike, Johnson slipped in the ice and soon after a K-9 police dog jumped on him and began to maul him in his neck. Then a two police officers are seen restraining him, one officer had  both of Johnson's hands behind him, the officer is seen holding Johnson's hands with his right hand, then the officer with his left hand upholstered his handgun and pointed it at Johnson's back of the head and fired his weapon striking Johnson. Then multiple shots are fired at Johnson's torso. The officers move back after shooting him, then the K-9, which was not restrained attacked Johnson again mauling at his neck.

Johnson was taken to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced deceased three hours later on early Thursday.

Johnson's family are calling for justice after viewing a cellphone video showing Johnson facing down on the ground and the officer shooting him in the back of the head and then the K-9 dog attacks Johnson and mauled his neck. The video shown at a family press conference, at the Boston Square Neighborhood Association contradicts the Grand Rapids police version of the fatal shooting.

The Grand Rapids police narrative is that Johnson had a handgun, he was ordered to drop the handgun, but when the K-9 dog first attacked Johnson, police told him not to move or he would be shot. How can Johnson not move when being mauled by a K-9 dog?

Witnesses say, that Johnson never pulled a handgun or aimed it at police. Johnson was shot three times by several police officers. He was recently parole after serving time in prison for a weapons violation. A handgun was recovered at the scene, according to Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstom.

Federal District Court Final Ruling Ensures Elimination Of DEI Directive By Trump Is Dead And Can No Longer Be Revived

The latest final federal district court ruling has permanently killed Trump's elimination of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion directive following the U.S. Department of Education's announcement in mid-January that it dropped its legal appeal challenge and no longer sought to enforce the restriction of DEI at schools and higher education institutions.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

February 20, 2026

Concord, N. H. - On Wednesday, the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) reported that a final U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire ruling has ensured that Trump's directive to eliminate or restrict Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs in schools and higher education institutions can longer be enforced by the U.S. Department of Education and can not be revived, according to the federal court's final ruling. (Article link: https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/department-of-education-backs-down-on-unlawful-directive-targeting-educational-equity)

The ACLU says that, in an earlier ruling in the case, District Court Judge Landya McCafferty previously found that the directive's "isolated characterizations of unlawful DEI" conflicted with the term's meaning, stating that DEI is generally understood as fostering "a group culture of equitable and inclusive treatment." The court further held that plaintiffs were likely to succeed in showing that the directive was vague, viewpoint discriminatory, and unlawfully imposed new legal obligations for educators and schools.

"This ruling ensures that educators can engage in scholarship and teach history, literature, and other subjects where race, gender, and the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion appear, without fear of arbitrary or discriminatory enforcement, said Sarah Hinger, deputy director of the ACLU Racial Justice Program. "It affirms that educators must be free to teach and that students have a right to a full and honest education that reflects the diversity of their communities and prepares them to participate in our democracy."

ACLU complaint filed on March 5, 2025 at link: https://www.aclu.org/cases/national-education-association-et-al-v-us-department-of-education-et-al?document=Complaint

The adverse affect of Trump's directive in Wisconsin allowed Dr. Anthony Cruz, the President of the Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) to eliminate the Office of Multicultural Student Services and and unjustly terminate 4 student services specialists to comply with Trump's directive without legally challenging the unlawful directive, which advertently affected the students of color from the Latino/Hispanic, African-American, Asian-American and Native-American communities.

Dr. Cruz and the Milwaukee Area Technical College Board of Trustees have failed to restore the Multicultural Student Services and rehire the 4 student specialists after they learned that Cruz erred in deciding to eliminate the Multicultural Student Services in order to comply with Trump's illegal directive.

Today, members from the communities of color in Milwaukee, Wisconsin are demanding for Dr. Cruz and the entire MATC Board of Trustees to resign for their disservice and negligence to eliminate the Multicultural Student Services at the technical college that served students from the communities of color for 50 years. (Facebook post link: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1XvDmmJ88U/)

MATC has not halted its continued elimination of other DEI related services and programs at the technical college.

Ediror's note: The communities of color should ensure that every school and higher education institution continues to apply DEI initiatives to ensure every student and instructor is protected under Diversity, Equity and Inclusion directives as previously provided.

Felony Count Dismissed By Walworth County Deputy D.A. James T. Sempf Against Julie Valadez, In Custody Interference Criminal Case

The Walworth County District Attorney's Office moved to dismiss one felony count against Valadez for interfering with custody after custody order.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

February 19, 2026

Elkhorn, Wisconsin - On Tuesday, Walworth County Deputy District Attorney James T. Sempf moved to dismiss one felony count for interfering with custody after custody order including party to a crime against Julie C. Valadez, 41, which the court so ordered. So far, Valadez court proceedings continue with one felony count for interfering with custody of other parent including party to a crime. She was recently charged with one felony count for bail jumping in regards to making contact with a family member, which violated the conditions of her cash bail, but her $500,000 cash bail was not forfeited, according to Walworth County court records.

The Walworth County criminal case against Valadez seems to be falling apart for the Walworth County District Attorney's Office and Delavan Police Department Detective Trevor G.  Hinman who filed criminal charges against Valadez. On Tuesday's court hearing, Det. Hinman confirmed that most of the alleged criminal case discovery reports of evidence in the investigation regarding phone call recordings and other documents are no longer filed on record and can't produce them for the defense.

Valadez's attorney Amanda K. Reik has called for her case to be dismissed, and her case has been pulled from the trial docket. A motion hearing was set for Valadez on March 19, 2026, according to the Walworth County court records.

The lack of discovery evidence and phone call recordings including certain police reports, statements from individuals for the state have disappeared and no longer accessible for trial. It sounds like a cover-up of the alleged illegal investigation that was conducted by Det. Hinman, which if any of the discovery of evidence and recorded phone calls do reappear, it could shed light that indeed Det. Hinman engaged in alleged illegal activity during the Valadez investigation. 

In one particular case, Det. Hinman filed an alleged fraudulent police report that included criminal charges against Valadez and Kathryn Alamea-Xian for kidnap minor for sexual assault dated January 10, 2023. Hinman's police report was later removed, but kept on file and later shared with Canadian immigration authorities in an attempt to hold Valadez and Alamea-Xian in custody in Canada who sought asylum.  (Article: http://hispanicnewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2023/06/julie-valadez-ordered-released-from.html)

In the Valadez criminal case, Alamea-Xian and Kimberlee Coronado were also criminally charged in separate cases for interfering with custody of other parent and party to crime, after Valadez's son Ethan Valadez, then 15 (today 18) ran away from his abusive father Ricardo Valadez in early January 2023 and crossed into Canada. (Article link: http://hispanicnewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2025/05/500k-cash-bond-set-for-40-year-old.html)

Attorney Reik who represents Valadez on Tuesday also raised the question of the missing discovery from Ricardo Valadez and prior convictions. Attorney Reik also discussed the placement and custody orders from the Waukesha County family court divorce case of Julie Valadez v. Ricardo Valadez, which the Wisconsin Court of Appeals ruled that Waukesha County family Court Judge Michael Aprahamian erred in placing the four Valadez children with the abusive father, instead with their mother, and ordered Aprahamian to correct it, which Judge Ralph Ramirez, who took over the case failed to correct Judge Aprahamian's error as well, and then Judge Jennifer Dorow, who took over the divorce case from Ramirez has also failed to correct Judge Aprahamian's error in the placement and custody of the four Valadez children,  which two of the children today have become adults. 

Tiffany For Wisconsin Governor Campaign 2026 Outed For Allegedly Defaulting On More Than $2K Involving Photo Ops And Video Ad Promotion Work From Milwaukee Local Contractor

A local contractor has outed the Republican Tiffany For Wisconsin campaign after they failed to pay more than $2,000 for the total cost of rendered photo ops, social media video, and local community business promotions with U.S. Congressman Thomas P. Tiffany (R-WI), who is a candidate for Wisconsin Governor.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

February 17, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Tuesday, Veronica Diaz, who provided the Tiffany For Wisconsin political campaign on January 28, 2026 with more than $2,000 worth of campaign promotions that included photo ops, and a social media video, and personal meets with Milwaukee Latino business owners and other services in the metropolitan area in Milwaukee County told Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) that Landis Holdorf, the campaign manager for Tiffany For Wisconsin has to date failed and neglected to pay in full, all the promotional services provided to the Tiffany campaign by Diaz. (Diaz's Facebook post: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1LKTNyVEed/)

Currently, Diaz has attempted to collect on her Tiffany for Wisconsin contract billing, with no success.

U.S. Congressman Thomas "Tom" P. Tiffany (R-WI) who is a Republican candidate for Governor in Wisconsin was recently endorsed by Donald J. Trump. It seems, that the Tiffany For Wisconsin can't even pay a mere $2,000 contractor promotional advertising bill today, eventhough the Tiffany campaign has generated thousands of campaign donations. (Tiffany's Facebook post: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Au2qhHsgZ/)

Diaz says, "that it's disheartening that someone who missed time away from work to support a campaign that I believed in, shouldn't treat someone this way."

Diaz told HNNUSA, that she is looking forward to get her promotional services paid in full, which were rendered to the Tiffany For Wisconsin.

Update: On February 21, 2026, Veronica Diaz confirmed that after the HNNUSA article was published, the Tiffany For Wisconsin campaign made a partial payment of $500 to her, which a balance of $1,500 is still due.

USDOJ Released 6-page Letter To Congress Containing Names From Epstein Files, Not All Implicated In Alleged Pedo Crimes With Children

The U.S. Department of Justice submitted a letter dated February 14, 2026 to Congress explaining its reasons for redacting portions of the Epstein files.

The six-page letter contains a list of all "government officials and politically exposed persons" in the Epstein files records, according to the USDOJ.

The list contained all the individuals named in the Epstein files, regardless of potential affiliation with Epstein or crimes committed. Not all were involved, according to the USDOJ.

Posted on February 15, 2026

Source: Hispanic News Network U.S.A.