NEKOOSA, WI (OnFocus) – Following a multi-year investigation, the Nekoosa Police Department, in collaboration with multiple state and federal agencies, executed search warrants at various locations throughout the City of Nekoosa on April 4, 2025. The operation resulted in the arrest of two local residents, Jenny L. Wicke, 41, and Jorge Torres Torres, 36, in connection with a range of financial and fraud-related crimes.
Jenny L. Wicke was taken into custody and transported to the Wood County Jail, facing a series of felony charges, including Fraudulent Claim for Credit, False Income Tax Return – Fraud, Money Laundering, Public Assistance Fraud, Misstating or Concealing Facts in a Food Stamp Application, and Theft. In addition, Wicke faces a misdemeanor charge of Resisting or Obstructing an Officer. Authorities allege that Wicke not only engaged in financial misconduct but also exploited government programs and violated state and federal labor laws.
Jorge Torres Torres, identified as a non-U.S. citizen with a history of violent behavior, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as part of the operation. Further details regarding Torres Torres’ specific charges were not disclosed in the release, though his detention underscores the complexity of the case, which spans multiple jurisdictions and legal domains.
The investigation, described as thorough and extensive, revealed a pattern of criminal activity that has left the Nekoosa community reeling. Chief of Police Shawn K. Woods acknowledged the emotional toll on residents, stating, “Undoubtedly, the greater Nekoosa community, who embraced Jenny Wicke and her restaurants, will feel disheartened and betrayed.” Wicke had been a known figure in the area, making the allegations particularly shocking to local residents.
The Nekoosa Police Department credited the success of the operation to the support of numerous agencies, including the Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, Wisconsin Department of Revenue, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Office of the Inspector General U.S. Department of Labor, Wood County Sheriff’s Department, Taylor County Sheriff’s Department, Wisconsin Rapids Police Department, Port Edwards Police Department, Grand Rapids Police Department, and the Wood County District Attorney’s Office. This collaborative effort highlights the scale and significance of the case.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have emphasized that the charges against Wicke and Torres Torres are allegations based on probable cause. “Individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law,” Chief Woods noted in the official statement.
For further information, contact the Nekoosa Police Department at 715-886-7891.
We welcome your stories! Contact us at news@onfocus.news!
Author: News Desk
This piece was posted by our news team! Contact us or submit stories at news@onfocus.news.
