5/22/25 Hometown Broadcasting News Thursday
22 May 2025 News
FDL MAN SUSPECTED OF SEX TRAFFICKING
A three-count federal indictment has been returned alleging a 26-year-old Fond du Lac man sex-trafficked a minor on two separate occasions in March. Ricardo Ortiz is also alleged to have used a computer to attempt to “persuade, induce, and entice” a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity. That crime allegedly occurred on or about April 8th. The Oshkosh Police Department investigated the case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation. If he is convicted of the three charges Ortiz faces a mandatory 10 years’ imprisonment and up to a lifetime of incarceration. He could also be fined up to $250,000 and would have to register as a sex offender.
OMRO ALDERMAN FEDERALLY INDICTED ON CHILD PORN CHARGES
An Omro City Alderman has been federally indicted on three counts alleging he distributed child pornography in October of last year and received child pornography on two occasions last month. According to court records, a Cyber Tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children was sent to the Wisconsin Department of Justice. That tip about 44-year-old Jason Reeves was then forwarded to the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office based on the IP address. The tip alleged the distribution of child pornography last October 16th. A search warrant was executed on April 29th at Reeves’ residence. When asked if he knew anything about child pornography at his residence, Reeves replied “probably.” Court documents list his sole source of employment as an Alderman for the City of Omro. Conviction on any of the three charges would result in a mandatory minimum of 5 years of imprisonment, and up to 20 years of incarceration. He could also be fined up to $250,000 per count and would be required to register as a sex offender.
WASHINGTON COUNTY DEATH INVESTIGATION
The search for a 62-year-old Town of Trenton man who missed a court appearance in Washington County Court on multiple felony charges ended with a death investigation. A felony arrest warrant was issued after the man missed his court date Tuesday morning for an upcoming jury trial. His attorney expressed concerns for his welfare and authorities had reason to believe he might be armed. Just before midnight Tuesday a Washington County Sheriff’s deputy attempted a traffic stop on the suspect’s vehicle that was driving recklessly in the Town of Kewaskum. The vehicle failed to stop for several miles then pulled over in the Town of Barton. Deputies tried to take him into custody during a high-risk stop. Attempts to have him exit the vehicle were unsuccessful. When deputies approached the car they found the man was dead. A firearm was located inside the vehicle. The newly formed East Central Wisconsin Sheriff’s Investigative Team is investigating the incident.
CAMPBELLSPORT WOMAN ARRESTED FOR THIRD OWI OFFENSE
The State Patrol arrested a 35-year-old Campbellsport woman late Tuesday night for allegedly driving under the influence on State Highways 67 and 45 in Fond du Lac County. For April Sonnenburg it was her third operating a motor vehicle under the influence offense, with a child in the vehicle under the age of 16. The Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office was trying to locate a vehicle knowing the registered owner, and believed the operator, had a suspended driver’s license status. During the roadside interaction with Sonnenburg, the Trooper observed signs of impairment. Field Sobriety tests were conducted and Sonnenburg was arrested.
MARKESAN POLICE CHIEF MEET AND GREET
Markesan residents have the opportunity to meet their new police chief, Doug Wiorek during a meet and greet in the Community Room of the City Hall from 5 to 7 pm this evening. Wiorek is a retired Milwaukee Police sergeant with a law enforcement career spanning over three decades. He was a patrol officer for 13 years and a police supervisor for 19 years. Chief Wiorek joined the Markesan Police Department last month. He succeeded Will Pflum who retired from the Markesan Police Department in March after 26 years the last ten years as Chief. At 6 pm Chief Wiorek will make some brief remarks, but otherwise tonight’s meet and greet will be informal.
FIRE GEAR CONSIDERATION
There are a lot of things to consider as the City of Ripon contemplates whether or not to consolidate its fire and EMS services. One of those considerations will be facilities. Ripon Guardian Ambulance EMS Chief Mitch Matuszeski says no matter what the city decides some changes will have to be made at the fire station. He notes experts in the fire service are trying to cut down on firefighter deaths from cancer. Smoke and other toxic materials they are exposed to during fires leaves carcinogenic residue on their gear. Matuszeski says special rooms are needed in the locker room while that gear is being washed and firefighters are showering after a fire. He says that gear needs to be stowed until it can be cleaned so that firefighters are not continually exposed to it after a fire call. Public Administration Associates presented the findings of a 76-page study to the Common Council last month recommending the city move forward with consolidation.
FDL COUNTY LAND SALE
The Fond du Lac County Board Tuesday night approved an offer from the J.L. Ziegler Companies to purchase 12.3 acres of land near the entrance to the Fond du Lac County Campus. The offer was for $400,000. County Executive Sam Kaufman says Ziegler will do some due diligence on the property and the closing will be around the end of the year. He says Ziegler will be doing a senior housing development something Kaufman had in the plans for the campus. He notes the reason he had the road straightened out that use to lead to the campus was to parcel off the land for sale on the west side near the entrance and protect the Gottfried Prairie Arboretum from development on the other side. The Board unanimously approved the sale of the land.
GROTHMAN BILL WOULD PROTECT OLDER WORKERS
Republican Congressman Glenn Grothman and Democratic Congressman Bobby Scott of Virginia have joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers to reintroduce a bill which will restore critical protections for older workers facing age discrimination. The bill reinstates the pre-2009 legal standard for age discrimination claims, aligning the burden of proof with the same standards used for claims involving discrimination based on race and national origin. Congressman Grothman says, “Too often, workers aged 50 and up are laid off while still juggling mortgages, family, and financial obligations. As they try to reenter the workforce, they face major obstacles in finding new employment. Employers also tend to let go of older employees to avoid higher insurance costs, leaving these individuals with limited options.”
MEMORY CARE
The Ripon Public Library next month will begin a once a month program to benefit people with Dementia and their caregivers. Adult and Teen Librarian Susie Menk says it has been a dream of her’s to put together such a program and after more than a year the Memory Café will meet for the first time at 1 pm on Tuesday, June 17th and every third Tuesday of the month after that. She says it’s supposed to be a social opportunity but also a way to build memory health. She’s purchased two robotic dogs and two robotic cats that people will be able to interact with as well. The Library also has some Stay Sharp kits with themes like baseball, gardening and homemaking. Partners in the Memory Café include; SSM Health, Ripon Senior Living Home, Eden Vista Care, the Ripon Senior Activity Center, and the Fond du Lac County Aging and Disabilities Resource Center.
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