Racine man accused of hitting female deputy inside jail; 4th attack on law enforcement in less than 4 months



RACINE COUNTY -- A Racine man is accused of attacking a female Racine County Sheriff's deputy inside the Racine County Jail. This marks the fourth attack on law enforcement/corrections officers in less than four months time in Racine County. The alleged attack happened on the same day the man appeared in court in two other open cases in which he's charged with battery by prisoner (among other charges) for incidents that happened in July.

Jon Stempe



58-year-old Jon Stempe of Racine faces four charges filed on February 9th:


    A criminal complaint notes a criminal history dating back to 1984, and repeated convictions for battery.

    The complaint says on Tuesday, February 7th, a deputy was in the process of escorting several inmates, including Stempe, from the felony holding area outside Branch 4 at the Racine County Law Enforcement Center to their cells after their morning court hearings when Stempe "became verbally assaultive and agitated."

    The deputy began escorting the inmates back to their holding cells and used her radio to request assistance due to Stempe's behavior. That's when the complaint says Stempe "lunged out of line and into the middle of the hallway where he struck the deputy." The deputy noted Stempe "swung for her face," but she was able to deflect the blow with her hand. Stempe struck her left shoulder instead of her face.

    The complaint says the deputy tried to push Stempe back as a second inmate tried to secure Stempe, taking him to the ground. He then began trying to kick the second inmate.

    Multiple officers responded to take Stempe and the other inmates to their cells.

    A deputy later overheard Stempe swearing at jail staff, calling them "(expletive) pigs" and saying: "I hope you die horrible deaths."

    According to the complaint, Stempe said he went to court for a battery by prisoner case on the same day this alleged attack happened. He said he felt he was the victim in that case. He said: "They wanted a battery and I gave them a battery. It's that simple. That's what she wanted. I'll plead guilty to this battery because that's just what I did." Stempe said he didn't think he should apologize or feel remorseful for striking the deputy "after what you people did to me."

    He was charged with physical abuse of a child - intentionally causing bodily harm, disorderly conduct (two counts) and threat to a law enforcement officer for an incident that happened on July 8th. On February 7th, Stempe appeared in court. He was found competent to proceed and a jury trial was set for May.

    According to a criminal complaint from that case, Stempe is accused of assaulting a boy who is now nine years old. The complaint says Stempe accused the boy and his brother of "smoking something" at the Country Inn Motel on State Highway 32 in Caledonia. Stempe is accused of "charging at (the boys)," and when the nine-year-old fell, Stempe began to kick him in his arms, legs and torso. He also punched the boy once in his chest, the complaint says.

    Stempe was arrested, and blew a .246 on a preliminary breath test.

    The complaint says Stempe threatened officers during his arrest.

    He has a third open case, filed on February 6th, charging him with battery by prisoner and disorderly conduct for an incident that happened on July 22nd at the Racine County Jail. Stempe is accused of hitting a fellow inmate in the head in an incident that was caught on camera. Stempe was then punched by another inmate, the complaint says. He made his initial appearance in court in this case on February 7th, and $500 cash bond was set.

    In the most recent case, filed on February 9th, a $30,000 cash bond was set. He has a preliminary hearing set for February 15th in that case, and also, the February 6th case.

    Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling on February 2nd spoke out after three attacks inside Racine County correctional facilities aimed at correctional officers within three months time.

    Jail surveillance video from October 17th shows Deonte Anderson punching a Racine County corrections officer who suffered minor injuries.

    Attack in Racine County Jail



    Last week, the Racine County District Attorney's Office announced 13 charges which had been dismissed will be refiled against Luis Granado Jr. after he allegedly attacked county jail staffers on multiple occasions in 2016.

    Luis Granados



    On January 30th, three counts including battery by prisoners, disorderly conduct and criminal damage to property, were filed against a teenage boy after he allegedly punched a case worker and urinated on a holding room floor inside the Racine County Juvenile Detention Center.

    "The fundamental rule and mission of our jail is to maintain a safe and secure facility," said Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling. "We're not punching bags. They're human beings. They're professionals, maintaining a very difficult task."