Racine man accused of attempting to lure boy: "You could tell he was going to do something to the boy"

RACINE COUNTY -- A 20-year-old Racine man is accused of attempting to lure a 12-year-old boy behind a dumpster in a poorly lit area.

Joseph Kessenich

The accused is Joseph Kessenich, who is facing three charges in this case -- one count of disorderly conduct, and two counts of misdemeanor bail jumping.

According to the criminal complaint, on November 18th, police were dispatched to the area near Rapids Drive and Goold Street for a report of a suspicious person.

While en route to the scene, officers learned a male on a bicycle had attempted to lure a 12-year-old boy behind a dumpster in a poorly lit area.

The caller indicated: "You could tell the man was going to do something to the boy."

Police spoke with the 911 caller, who indicated she was driving in the area when she saw the boy walking down the street -- and a man hiding behind a dumpster when he saw the boy. The woman indicated that it "looked extremely suspicious."

The woman slowed down and asked the boy if he was OK -- and the boy responded, saying: "I don't know."

The boy got into her vehicle, and she called police.

According to the complaint, the boy indicated he was walking down the street when he saw the man by the dumpster. The boy said the man went behind the dumpster and said to him: "Hey you -- come here."

The man then dropped his bicycle, and the boy said he wasn't going to go by him.

The boy told officers: "I was scared."

Officers located the suspect at a Family Dollar store, and he was identified as Joseph Kessenich.

He was detained and taken in for an interview.

Police soon learned Kessenich was mentioned in four separate calls regarding a suspicious person at the Lockwood Park playground.

After he was interviewed by police, Kessenich was taken into custody for disorderly conduct. He was also charged with bail jumping, and issued a citation for loitering/prowling.

According to the complaint, Kessenich made a comment to police, indicating he was "trying to train my lawyer to be like Devil's Advocate" -- referring to the movie. When asked "if your lawyer is the devil's advocate, who are you," Kessenich responded, saying: "I guess that makes me the devil."

The complaint says on October 5th, and August 5th, Kessenich was released on bond in pending misdemeanor cases. He was ordered to commit no further crimes. The bonds were in effect at the time of the alleged incident on November 18th.

Kessenich will be in court in this case on December 8th for a status conference.