West Allis woman accused of threatening Ozaukee Co. judge

WEST ALLIS (WITI) -- A West Allis woman is in custody at the Ozaukee County Jail after being accused of threatening an Ozaukee County judge.

On January 16th at 2:20 in the morning, the phone rang at the Ozaukee County Jail and a deputy answered it.

"It appeared to be a mother of an inmate and she was concerned about the treatment of her son," Lt. Rod Galbraith with the Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office said.

According to the criminal complaint in the case, the woman asked whether Judge Tom Wolfgram was available. After being told the judge was not in, the woman replied: "Good, tell him I have a hit on him."

Law enforcement officials took the threat so seriously, patrols were increased around Judge Wolfgram's home.

Investigators were able to trace the call to a number listed to 48-year-old Shelly Froelich.

The criminal complaint indicates Froelich's son is an inmate at the Ozaukee County Jail. When asked about the call, her son said: "She has made these types of calls in the past when he was incarcerated previously."

Officials also questioned Froelich's husband, who told police he heard his wife talking on the phone and that she is "always calling the jail and making threats."

The Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office says it is important for everyone, especially judges to feel safe when they come to work.

"It's not appropriate to threaten someone when you don't feel like your family member, son whoever is getting the right treatment. The appropriate way to deal with it is through the legal system," Lt. Galbraith said.