New charges filed against man accused of contacting victim 1,500+ times from jail
By James Stratton
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MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin (WISN) — Already in jail for domestic abuse, Amier Jones Jr. now faces felony murder and threatening a police officer charges in two new, separate cases.
Prosecutors say Jones Jr. helped plan and carry out an armed robbery that ended with a homicide in a parking lot at 84th Street and Bender Avenue on Jan. 13.
Jones is already in jail, accused in three separate felony cases in Milwaukee County, including stalking, hitting and pointing a gun at the mother of his child.
Prosecutors say he violated a no-contact order, trying to contact her more than 1,500 times since his January arrest.
Thursday, prosecutors charged Jones with threat to cause harm to certain individuals involved with a court or legal system. Prosecutors say he threatened the officer investigating his domestic violence case from his jail tablet.
“…u already on my hit…” he said on his jail tablet, referencing the officer, according to court records.
On May 7, prosecutors filed a motion to suspend his communication privileges, citing the threats to the victim and to the officer.
“The State asserts that Jones’s communication privileges must be rescinded to prevent further intimidation and dissuasion,” Assistant District Attorney Jessica Behling wrote in the motion and also verbally motioned to increase his bail to $75,000.
Judge Ana Berrios-Schroeder denied both requests, according to court records. The move prompted a call for change from Milwaukee’s Fraternal Order of Police Cream City Lodge #8.
A transcript for the May 7 hearing shows Judge Berrios-Schroeder “hesitantly” denied taking away the communication privileges.
“You go into your cell now, and you think it’s smart to send one more message like this one, against anyone; you will pay the price. Clear?” the judge said.
“Yes, ma’am,” he responded.
The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office took away his ability to communicate and restricted his access to attorney-client contact, a sheriff’s spokesperson told WISN 12 News.
“It is very common for people in jail to use coercion and control directly through phone calls, text, or through a third party to get the person to change their story, make the person feel guilty, have them not show up in court,” said Carmen Pitre, CEO of Sojourner Family Peace Center. “We see that there’s a pattern that begins in the communication. The amount, the 1,500, is excessive, which says to me that’s a dangerous situation.”
Pitre says that the break in communication is designed to stop coercion and control of domestic violence survivors.
“Survivors need safety, and protection, and options,” she said. “Also, people who cause harm need to be held accountable and given opportunities to change behavior.”
Domestic Violence survivors can come forward and get help by calling Sojourner at 414-933-2722 or texting 414-877-8100. The 24.7 national hotline is 800-799-7233. For specific resources in southeastern Wisconsin, click here.
A bail hearing for Jones Jr. is set for Tuesday.
Judge Berrios-Schroeder did not respond to a request for comment on the case or the decision. Chief Judge Carl Ashley did not comment on the open case, either.
Ashley appointed Judge Berrios-Schroeder to lead the court’s misdemeanor and domestic violence division, and she will start Aug. 1.
Chief Judge Carl Ashley sent the following statement to WISN 12 News.
“The presiding judge for misdemeanor domestic violence court holds an administrative assignment that includes managing a full court docket. This role requires experience, sound judgment, strong courtroom management, and the ability to oversee a high-volume calendar involving sensitive and complex matters.
“I selected Judge Ana Berrios for this role because she possesses the qualifications, temperament, and professional experience required for the assignment. Her prior service as Milwaukee County Family Court Commissioner, where she supervised the Deputy Family Court Commissioner and 10 Assistant Family Court Commissioners, along with her experience as a circuit court judge, have prepared her well for this responsibility.
“Judge Berrios began her service in the Family Court Commissioner’s Office in 2001 as an Assistant Family Court Commissioner. She was promoted to Deputy Family Court Commissioner in 2012 and became the Family Court Commissioner in 2016. In 2023, she was elected to the Circuit Court Judiciary and is currently assigned to the Criminal Domestic Violence Court.
“She completed the mandatory Domestic Violence National Training while serving in the Family Court Commissioner’s Office and participated in annual domestic violence training sessions provided by Sojourner and Legal Action of Wisconsin.
“Judges make thousands of decisions throughout their service, many of which are difficult and based on urgent circumstances and the specific record before the court. I appointed Judge Berrios to this administrative role because of her extensive record of service, her qualifications, and my confidence in her ability to handle these cases seriously, fairly, and in accordance with the law.”
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