News – February 15, 2019

(Beaver Dam) A Beaver Dam man was sentenced yesterday (Thursday) to eight years in prison and five years of extended supervision for violently shaking an infant resulting in serious injuries. Raymond Keyser says he accidently bumped over a car seat with the child inside and the infant fell face first onto the ground. The UW Child Protection Team disputed the 25-year-old saying that the extent of injuries were more consistent with either shaking or “slamming the child down onto a soft surface, such as a mattress.” DA Kurt Klomberg said at sentencing that a civilized society cannot tolerate violence leading to severe and irreparable harm to children.

(Waupun) A Waupun woman has pled guilty to federal tax fraud charges. Kimberly Bagneski prepared and filed false tax returns to the IRS with fictitious claims for refunds. According to the indictment, Bagneski electronically filed at least 20 false federal income tax returns seeking more than $90-thousand dollars in refunds. On the returns, the 48-year-old claimed false deductions, tax credits and business income/losses. In addition, virtually all of the fraudulent tax refunds were diverted to bank accounts under her control. Bagneski faces up to five years in prison and fines of up to $250,000 when she is sentenced in June.

(Town of Lebanon) A Loveland, Colorado man was sentenced yesterday to six years in prison and four years of extended supervision for injuring two passengers while driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol.  Steven Cummings failed to negotiate a curve, left the roadway and overturned before striking a utility pole. One passenger was seriously injured after being ejected while the second passenger sustained life-threatening injuries and was flown from the scene. Cummings blood-alcohol level was at point-zero-seven-seven (.077) but he also had marijuana and cocaine in his system. The August 2017 accident in the Town of Lebanon resulted in a no contest plea to felony charges in November. DA Kurt Klomberg said at sentencing that driving high like Cummings presents a substantial risk to the public.

(Beaver Dam) A Milwaukee woman entered a no contest plea yesterday to a felony resisting arrest charge following a September fight in Clyman. Tasheana Williams-Sonny ran away from Dodge County deputies after they attempted to arrest her on two outstanding warrants. The ran into a nearby cornfield before stumbling three rows in. During the brief chase, a deputy suffered minor injuries. Williams-Sonny faces up to roughly 14 years in prison. A pre-sentencing investigation was ordered and she is due back in court in April.

(Beaver Dam) The Beaver Dam School Superintendent is applauding changes to the Middle School schedule next year. That includes increasing from eight periods to nine, without extending the school day or the school year. In July, following backlash from parents, the school board rejected a plan that would have seen the school day decrease from eight periods to seven periods, to allow more time to be spent on core subjects while reducing the number of electives. Under the new nine-period day approved by the school board this week, more time will be spent on Math and English, 85 minutes, while still allowing for three electives. Science, social students and all electives will be reduced by one minute to 41 minutes while the advisory period is decreasing to 14 minutes.

(Waupun) Waupun Police say residents should be on the look out for the “mystery shopper” scam. A Waupun citizen got a call from someone saying they were looking for someone to act as a “mystery shopper.” The caller instructed them to buy $2,500 worth of gift cards for Walmart and Apple and text them the numbers for the cards. Legitimate marketing firms use “mystery shoppers,” but reimburse them for their purchases. Police urge residents to simply hang up and report the call to law enforcement officials.