By Kim McDarison

Two Elkhorn residents have each been charged with multiple crimes after brandishing a firearm in Whitewater last month.

Kya Hines, 19, according to the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access website, faces charges including burglary with a dangerous weapon along with several felony and misdemeanor counts of theft.

Another Elkhorn resident, Trevor Barnes, 21, faces six felony counts of possessing a firearm after a prior felony conviction.

Both were arrested by members of the Whitewater Police Department with support from the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office after search warrants were executed on Thursday, Sept. 21.

According to information released by the Whitewater Police Department, on Sept. 15, reports of an individual brandishing a gun at the McDonalds in Whitewater led them to the two suspects who were initially identified using surveillance footage.

The release stated that Hines was alleged to have brandished the gun, and a male who was accompanying her, who is alleged to be Barnes, also handled the firearm.

“Barnes was determined to have a prior felony conviction and was therefore disqualified from lawfully possessing a firearm,” the release stated. 

At the time of their arrest, the release continued, both were in possession of a large amount of ammunition and five firearms, four of which, police alleged, were determined to have been stolen.

After her arrest, Hines appeared, on Sept. 29, in Walworth County Circuit Court before Judge Phillip Koss, at which time a $5,000 bond was set.

Remaining in custody, she next appeared on Oct. 5, before Judge Daniel Johnson, along with her attorney Larry Pruden, at which time, after waiving her right to a preliminary hearing, an arraignment date of Oct. 24 was set.

On Oct. 24, following a request by the court for paperwork, a new arraignment date was set by Judge Kristine Drettwan of Oct. 26.

Hines faces seven charges, including: one felony E count of burglary while armed with a dangerous weapon; four felony H counts of theft, movable property, special facts, and two misdemeanor A counts of theft, movable property that is less than or equal to $2,500.

If convicted, Hines faces the following penalties: Class E felony, 15 years in prison, $50,000 in fines, or both; Class H felony, up to $10,000 in fines, and/or up to six years in prison, and Class A misdemeanor, up to $10,000 in fines, nine months in jail, or both.

Barnes appeared in Walworth County Circuit Court on Sept. 22 before Judge David Reddy, at which time a bond of $5,000 was set, with the following conditions: the defendant will not possess any firearms, ammunition or other weapons.

Additionally, the court stipulated, the defendant will not in any way contact or attempt to contact any co-actor(s) listed, and will avoid their residence/place of employment or any place they are located, and will avoid causing any other person, other than defendant’s attorney, from doing so on defendant’s behalf.  The term “no contact” is hereby defined as through the mail, by telephone, by way of electronic device, in person, or through a third party.

Court records name Hines as a co-actor. 

On Sept. 28, Barnes, who remained in custody, was back in court before Judge Phillip Koss, along with his attorney, Obi Uzowulu, at which time a preliminary hearing date of Oct. 6 was set.

On Oct. 6, Barnes, appearing by video conference and with attorney Christopher Lyle Kuehn, waived his right to a preliminary hearing. An arraignment was scheduled for Nov. 6, at 2 p.m.

Barnes faces six felony G counts of possession of a firearm while having a prior felony conviction.

A Class G felony is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a $25,000 fine, or both. 

An earlier story about the incident at the McDonalds in Whitewater and the subsequent arrest of the two suspects is here: https://whitewaterwise.com/whitewater-police-say-two-elkhorn-residents-have-been-arrested-after-allegedly-brandishing-a-firearm-in-whitewater/