MILWAUKEE COUNTY, WI – A 22-year-old Franklin man faces multiple felony charges following his arrest for the alleged assault, false imprisonment, and attempted kidnapping of a woman who had recently rejected his romantic advances.
Bail Drastically Increased After Court Hearing
Angelo Liberto of Franklin appeared in court for his preliminary hearing on Tuesday, June 9. During the proceedings, a judge raised Liberto’s bail from $200,000 to $2 million.
According to prosecutors from the Milwaukee County Assistant District Attorney’s Office, the dramatic increase followed statements Liberto allegedly made to a cellmate. Authorities stated Liberto fully admitted to the crimes and expressed intentions to “finish what he started” if he were to be released. Liberto’s defense attorney has stated that his client adamantly denies any wrongdoing, emphasizing that everyone is innocent until proven guilty.
The Incident and Rescue
According to the criminal complaint, the victim had met Liberto through mutual friends in late 2025 and went on a few dates before deciding to maintain only a friendship. On May 29, after agreeing to meet him, she was allegedly lured into his vehicle under false pretenses.
The complaint states Liberto drove her to an unknown location, pulled out a weapon, and threatened her before placing her in handcuffs. Despite the danger, the victim managed to access her phone and dial 911.
The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office successfully intercepted the vehicle and rescued the victim during a high-stakes traffic stop at around 11:00 p.m.
Evidence Discovered and Serious Charges
Upon searching Liberto’s vehicle, deputies discovered a large cache of disturbing items, including:
- Handcuffs, zip ties, and bondage restraints
- A handgun case, a hacksaw, and a shovel
- Duct tape, a tarp, and hydrogen peroxide
Liberto was officially booked on May 31. He faces three major felony counts: attempted second-degree sexual assault (with a dangerous weapon), kidnapping, and false imprisonment.
If convicted on all counts, Liberto could face up to 40 years in prison for the kidnapping charge alone, alongside additional decades for the remaining felony offenses.
