PROOF AND HEARSAY

Man convicted of driving judge's stolen car

Bruce Vielmetti
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Judges see criminals on a regular basis, and sometimes experience crime personally.

Kaland D. Jackson

At a sentencing Wednesday, Milwaukee County Circuit Judge John Siefert found himself making a victim impact statement from in front of the bench, not listening to one in his black robe behind it. He told retired Judge Michael Guolee about the impact a burglary at Siefert's residence has had on his grown daughter who was home at the time.

"It just terrifies her," to think someone was in her home with a gun, Seifert said. He said none of his family actually saw or confronted the burglars, whom he believes entered the home briefly in the early morning hours when the family was asleep.

Kaland Jackson, 21, had just pleaded guilty to driving Siefert's car without his consent in October. He was not involved in stealing it, but police found his fingerprints on the car after it was found a day later at the Hillside housing complex near N. 8th St. and W. McKinley Ave. He told police he figured it was stolen when an acquaintance offered him the  2010 Ford Fusion for $50. He paid $30 down to get the car.

Guolee sentenced Jackson, who is expected to plead guilty to a more serious charge next month, to a year in prison, followed by two months of extended supervision. He also ordered Jackson to pay $500 restitution to Siefert for damage to the car not covered by insurance.

Guolee repeated Assistant Attorney General Angelina Gabriele's point that buyers of stolen goods perpetuate the market for such items, which in turn drives burglary. Active Milwaukee County judges and the District attorney's office did not handle the case to avoid the appearance of a conflict because of Siefert's position.

As bad as it was to be charged with driving a judge's stolen car, Jackson got into far more serious trouble while out on a $250 signature bond in the car case.

Jackson was charged in April with selling heroin to a West Allis man who died of an overdose. Police found Perry Holsen, 43, dead in his apartment after his employer called to say he hadn't shown up for work.  They used the last number contacted on Holsen's phone to contact Jackson, a.k.a. "Fat Boy," via a confidential informant.

After police say Jackson sold cocaine and heroin to the informant April 14, he was arrested. He faces charges of first-degree reckless homicide, delivery of narcotics and bail jumping. He is expected to plead guilty pursuant to a plea arrangement next month and faces the possibility of more than 30 years in prison.

Siefert said after Wednesday's sentencing that police think they know who entered his house. He said all the burglars took was his wife's purse, which had the keys to the car. Someone used her credit card to buy gas, and also tried to use it at south side Walmart, but the transaction was denied.

He thinks the burglar or burglars might have been prompted to leave quickly because of the very large dog cage near the purse, though the dog himself  — Bowser, a large mixed breed — was asleep on the third floor. Now, Siefert said, Bowser sleeps next to the front door.

Jackson helped identify the man and woman who sold him Siefert's car, and admitted he had purchased many other stolen items from "Red" in the past. But police could not make a case against the man, Forrest Saunders, for the Siefert burglary, though Saunders was sanctioned for a probation violation for associating with Jackson.

A woman who Jackson said was Saunders' girlfriend, and who was with him when he sold Jackson the Fusion, was later charged with carrying a concealed weapon, a misdemeanor. She pleaded guilty Monday and was sentenced to 30 days in jail.

That charge is what prompts Siefert to believe she or Saunders had a gun when he believes they entered his house in October.