RACINE, WI -A Racine Police officer was injured while arresting a woman in “riot-like” conditions and now that woman has been charged with several misdemeanor charges, including battery to a law enforcement officer.
Sheena Montgomery, 34, of Racine, was charged by the Racine County District Attorney’s Office with misdemeanor battery, five counts of bail jumping, two counts of disorderly conduct, resisting an officer, and battery to a law enforcement officer. If convicted of all charges, Montgomery faces up to 13 years nine months in prison and/or fined up to $81,000.
According to the criminal complaint, officers with the Racine Police Department were dispatched to the area of Hilker Place and Tenth Street on July 7 for a report of a fight involving 40 people. The scene seemed “riot-like” with over 50 people in the street, sidewalks, and private property. Loud music played and cars “sped up and down the streets around the individuals in the street.”
Montgomery and her daughter were at the scene. As officers responded to the area, the crowd dispersed.
About 25 minutes later, another report was called in. This time, a 13-year-old child was hit in the head with a bottle. When the officer went to speak with the child’s family, he learned the 13-year-old was “jumped” by Montgomery’s daughter. The aunt of the 13-year-old told police that she went to Montgomery’s residence to speak with her about the incident, but Montgomery “sprayed her with pepper spray and physically assaulted her without consent.”
The officer arrested Montgomery for assaulting the girl’s aunt. During the arrest, she yelled at officers and pulled away from them. A crowd of people approached the officers. They yelled at the officers to let Montgomery go. She refused to get into the squad car. So a transport wagon was used. She then yelled at the officers, telling them that they were only arresting her because she was black, which “caused the crowd to yell more and get closer to the officers.”
The officers called for back up so that they could place Montgomery in the transport wagon. While trying to get her into the wagon, Montgomery “dropped her body, dead-weight style.”
As the officers lifted her from the ground by her arms, another officer tried to gain control of her legs. But she pulled her right leg free and kicked the officer in his chest and his genitals “with such force that it caused immediate pain to the extent (the officer) felt nauseous,” according to the complaint.
The officers were able to get Montgomery into the transport wagon, but she continued to yell. As Montgomery kicked and flailed inside the van, it rocked. When officers got to the Racine County Jail, she refused to get out of the van and deputies “persuaded her” to get out of the vehicle.
Held at the Racine County Jail on a $5,000 cash bond, Montgomery is set for a preliminary hearing at 8:30 a.m. July 18 at the Racine County Courthouse.