(WTAQ-WLUK) — A convicted felon in Fond du Lac County was sentenced for illegally voting in the 2022 election.
Martin C. Kehl, 67, was ordered to serve seven days in jail and $1,500 fine. The state recommended 30 days jail and a $1,000 fine.
Kehl was convicted of an OWI 4th felony offense in April of 2021 and sentenced to three years probation, making him ineligible to vote.
The investigation into Kehl began after the Wisconsin Elections Commission send a letter to the sheriff’s office stating it believed that Kehl voted illegally on November 8, 2022 in the town of Alto.
According to the criminal complaint, investigators reviewed his voter registration application and he checked the box that read: “are not currently serving a sentence including parole, probation, or extended supervision for a felony conviction.”
When confronted with the information, Kehl told investigators he had a lot going on in his personal life at the time of the election and forgot he couldn’t vote. The complaint reads:
The defendant stated there was piece of paper that a a box on the top that asked if you were a felon and he was curious if it was checked. Detective Fink showed the defendant a copy of the Voter Registration Application and went over the boxes with the defendant, showing him the box indicating “are not currently serving a sentence including parole, probation, or extended supervision for a felony conviction” was checked. The defendant responded by saying “So I admitted I’m a felon and making a mistake? Aye Aye Aye. The defendant admitted to voting when he shouldn’t have and stated he didn’t have any nefarious intentions.
Judge Laura Lavey took also took into consideration a recent stroke Kehl had that requires treatment needs.
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