Milwaukee prostitution ring; 4 of 6 men accused appear in court
MILWAUKEE - Some high-profile men charged in connection with a Milwaukee prostitution ring were in court for the first time on Friday, Dec. 20. Those charged include former attorneys, a judge, a firefighter, a funeral director and an investment banker.
A man used to defending clients stood next to a lawyer on Friday for his own initial appearance. Travis Schwantes is one of the six men accused of soliciting prostitutes in Milwaukee.
Schwantes appeared along with Leroy Stewart, Chris Riegg and William Green.
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Green is a former attorney himself. He spoke briefly following his initial appearance.
"I think the biggest point for me is, you know, to avoid problems like this when you start feeling. Mental health is real. Let’s just put it that way. If you start feeling like you’re slipping into an abyss, you probably are," Green said.
29th and Kilbourn, Milwaukee
Court documents explain the investigation began two years ago. Prosecutors say a sex worker reported the prostitution centered around an apartment at 29th and Kilbourn in Milwaukee.
The six men face misdemeanor solicitation of prostitute charges.
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Schwantes also faces felonies including two new misconduct in office charges.
Investigators say the former public defendant falsified records during his work and put himself in a position to represent clients he was paying for sex.
The four men present on Friday were out of custody – and were given signature bonds.
Milwaukee prostitution ring; 6 men charged, search warrants unsealed
There is new information about an investigation into a prostitution ring.