Racine County Sheriff's Captain Placed on Leave Amid Investigation

Racine County Sheriff’s Captain on Administrative Leave Following Kenosha County Investigation

Just days after falling short in a tight race for county sheriff, Racine County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Cary Madrigal has been removed from active duty. Fox6now.com reported on Saturday, Nov. 7, that Madrigal was placed on administrative leave pending an internal administrative review and an ongoing criminal investigation being handled outside her home department.

The administrative suspension stems from an investigation led by the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office rather than internal Racine County oversight. According to a statement released by the Racine County Sheriff’s Office and cited by WISN, Sheriff Christopher Schmaling took immediate steps to turn the matter over to neighboring Kenosha County once relevant information came to light, specifically to protect the integrity of the inquiry.

Investigators have clarified that Madrigal is not the target or subject of the active criminal case. Her specific role in the sequence of events remains unstated by officials, and department leadership emphasized that the suspension has no connection to Tuesday’s election, where Madrigal finished roughly 2,400 votes behind opponent Donald Vandervest in the race for Racine County sheriff.

Racine County sheriff's captain placed on leave amid investigation review

The Connection to Union Grove High School Case Files

The external investigation now sitting with Kenosha County investigators originated from a separate child pornography case involving Thomas Johnson, the 51-year-old district administrator at Union Grove High School. Prosecutors filed two counts of child pornography possession against Johnson after an anonymous tip triggered a review of alleged inappropriate contact with students.

Court documents outline that an unnamed employee within the Racine County Sheriff’s Office spoke with Johnson inside his school office prior to the case being officially assigned to an investigator. The criminal complaint notes that Johnson confirmed speaking with an RCSO subject before investigators visited his home, establishing that he had received advance notice of the pending inquiry.

racine county sheriff's captain placed on leave amid investigation review — Photo: wisn.com

While prosecutors and investigators examine how details of the Johnson case spread before formal assignment, authorities have not publicly detailed whether Madrigal’s administrative review involves that premature disclosure. Fox6now.com reached out to Madrigal for comment but did not receive a response.

Sheriff Office Waits for Outside Criminal Investigation to Finish

The Racine County Sheriff’s Office stated it will not provide additional comments or information while the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office and the Kenosha County District Attorney’s Office continue their work. The timeline for the internal review depends entirely on the completion of the outside criminal investigation.