Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
A former Menasha police officer pleaded no contest Monday to accessing a license plate recognition program to track his ex-girlfriend, and was sentenced to six months in jail, as the judge rejected sentencing recommendations negotiated in a plea deal calling for half that time behind bars.
Cristian Morales, 32, was convicted of one count of misconduct in office.
He was also placed on probation for three years by Judge Mark Schroeder. Morales was fined $250, and is prohibited from working as a law enforcement officer or accessing the Flock system.
Before the sentence was issued, the victim addressed the court. She described repeated acts of physical abuse, the fear he generated by tracking her location, and other manipulative tactics Morales used -- all while, in her view, Morales viewed himself as untouchable because of his job as an officer.
Morales apologized, saying he was proud to serve the community he grew up in, but lost it through a “moment of desperation.”
Judge Schroeder noted he took the same oath as Morales to protect the Constitutions of Wisconsin and the United States. The judge criticized Morales as an “oath-breaker” whose actions undermined the public’s faith in anyone in all branches of government who take that oath.
According to the criminal complaint, Morales’ ex-girlfriend complained he had used the Flock system to monitor her location. A review of Morales’ activity showed he tried to use it five different times for her vehicle in early October.
The Menasha Police Department said Morales was placed on administrative leave after he arrest. He resigned earlier this year.
Watch more from the sentencing: youtu.be/NPMTuY_VOf4
#shorts #flockcameras #licenseplatereader #police #lawenforcement #courtroom #courtroomdrama
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A former Menasha police officer pleaded no contest Monday to accessing a license plate recognition program to track his ex-girlfriend, and was sentenced to six months in jail, as the judge rejected sentencing recommendations negotiated in a plea deal calling for half that time behind bars.
Cristian Morales, 32, was convicted of one count of misconduct in office.
He was also placed on probation for three years by Judge Mark Schroeder. Morales was fined $250, and is prohibited from working as a law enforcement officer or accessing the Flock system.
Before the sentence was issued, the victim addressed the court. She described repeated acts of physical abuse, the fear he generated by tracking her location, and other manipulative tactics Morales used -- all while, in her view, Morales viewed himself as untouchable because of his job as an officer.
Morales apologized, saying he was proud to serve the community he grew up in, but lost it through a “moment of desperation.”
Judge Schroeder noted he took the same oath as Morales to protect the Constitutions of Wisconsin and the United States. The judge criticized Morales as an “oath-breaker” whose actions undermined the public’s faith in anyone in all branches of government who take that oath.
According to the criminal complaint, Morales’ ex-girlfriend complained he had used the Flock system to monitor her location. A review of Morales’ activity showed he tried to use it five different times for her vehicle in early October.
The Menasha Police Department said Morales was placed on administrative leave after he arrest. He resigned earlier this year.
Watch more from the sentencing: youtu.be/NPMTuY_VOf4
#shorts #flockcameras #licenseplatereader #police #lawenforcement #courtroom #courtroomdrama
_______________
Stay up to date with our social media:
WLUK on Facebook: facebook.com/wlukfox11
WLUK on Twitter: twitter.com/fox11news
Subscribe to WLUK on YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UC72xzKVi3b_2oed6zQ8KKQg/?sub_confirmation=1
Daily News Playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjuhS_na3SEwTKX0ACWvXwNAc0GrTqhFo
For more information, visit fox11online.com
Have a news tip? Send it directly to us:
Email us: fox11news@wluk.com
Call the Newsroom: 920.494.8711
WLUK is a WI based station and a FOX Television affiliate owned and operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today.
#WLUK #FOX11 #WLUKFox11 #FOX11News #Greenbay
