Man Allegedly Kidnapped Woman After She Rejected His Romantic Advances

**Wisconsin Man Faces Serious Charges After Alleged Assault and Kidnapping Incident**

Angelo Liberto, a 22-year-old resident of Franklin, Wisconsin, has been charged with multiple felonies, including second-degree sexual assault, false imprisonment, and kidnapping, following a disturbing incident that occurred recently. Liberto was arrested on May 31, and is currently held on a bail set at an unprecedented $2 million.

The charges against Liberto stem from an encounter with a young woman who had previously rejected his romantic advances. According to police reports and the criminal complaint, the pair met through mutual acquaintances in September 2025, and although they went on several dates, the woman ultimately decided to decline further involvement with Liberto.

Before the alleged attack, the victim had expressed her discomfort with Liberto’s behaviour on two separate occasions, confronting him about crossing boundaries when he appeared at her residence late at night. Despite these issues, she had hoped to maintain a friendship and arranged to meet him at a bar on May 29.

The situation took a perilous turn when Liberto purportedly insisted that the woman enter the back seat of his car under the guise of presenting her with a gift. Upon her entering, she noticed items such as lotion and chocolates. Shortly after, Liberto reportedly drove to an undisclosed location, where, according to the complaint, he threatened her with a firearm, claiming it was unloaded, while also wielding a knife to intimidate her further.

During this ordeal, Liberto allegedly demanded that she hand over her phone, and threatened her life, stating she should be scared. Frantically, the victim tried to call emergency services, but her phone was initially on airplane mode. Eventually, she managed to reach 911, trying to alert authorities while Liberto continued to make alarming statements about their destination, which he indicated would be a “lake house,” where he intended to assault her.

Amid the harrowing journey, Liberto reportedly kept her restrained with handcuffs and made menacing comments about “people who kill” as a means of expressing his inexcusable behaviour. Throughout the drive, aided by moments of clarity, the victim conveyed her anxieties to him, expressing her fear for her safety.

The situation escalated to a critical point when the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office intervened, stopping Liberto’s vehicle during a traffic check late that evening. Upon investigation, authorities uncovered a plethora of troubling items in his car, including duct tape, a handgun case, handcuffs, and various restraints, which added to the gravity of the case.

Liberto’s preliminary hearing took place on June 9, with the assistant district attorney, Matthew James Torbenson, citing statements made by Liberto to a fellow inmate as a reason for the substantial increase in bail. Torbenson claimed that Liberto had expressed a desire to further harm the victim if given the opportunity, reiterating the dangerous mindset the young man exhibited.

Defending Liberto, his attorney, Chris Carson, asserted the principle of innocence until proven guilty, stating that Liberto vehemently denies any wrongdoing while emphasising the need for a thorough legal process.

If convicted of the charges, Liberto faces considerable prison time. The second-degree sexual assault charge carries a possible sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $50,000. The kidnapping charge could result in a prison term of up to 40 years and a $100,000 fine, while false imprisonment may add another six years and a $10,000 fine.

As this case continues to unfold, the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office is yet to release further details. The investigation remains ongoing, and the authorities have urged individuals affected by similar situations to seek help from dedicated resources such as the National Sexual Assault Hotline.

For anyone requiring support in such circumstances, the National Sexual Assault Hotline is available at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or through their website at rainn.org.