Ex-Badger Freeman facing theft, burglary charges

(Published August 9, 2006, 9:09 a.m.)

By Mike Heine/The Week

Former University of Wisconsin cornerback Antonio M. Freeman faces charges of felony burglary and misdemeanor theft following an early May burglary in Whitewater.

Freeman, who was cut from the team in April after an arrest for possession of marijuana, burglarized a home with three other men on the 100 block of South Prairie Street on May 4, according to a criminal complaint.

Several items from the home were taken by men seen fleeing the house, residents told police.

Freeman told police he was in the house with the other men and opened a refrigerator to find something to drink, according to the complaint. The complaint does not say Freeman took anything.

Freeman is charged with party to burglary while armed. A gun was reportedly stolen by one of the men.

If convicted, Freeman could face up to 15 years and nine months in prison.

Freeman, 20, of 2830 N. 50th St., Milwaukee, was considering a transfer to UW-Whitewater shortly before first-year Badgers coach Bret Bielema cut him, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

As of Monday, Freeman has filed no paperwork showing intent to become a member of the Warhawks, UW-Whitewater Sports Information Director Tom Fick said.

Freeman has been summonsed to appear in court on Aug. 25 for an initial appearance.

Also appearing that day is an alleged accomplice listed in the complaint, Archie L. Heath, 21, Kenosha.

Heath is charged with the same burglary and theft offenses as Freeman, but also faces a charge of felony misappropriation of identity. Heath allegedly filled his car with gas on May 4 while another man, Anthony W. Karol, 403 Klem Hall, Whitewater, paid for it with a stolen credit card, according to a complaint.

Karol, 19, faces multiple burglary and theft-related charges for suspected involvement in other break-ins around Whitewater. Karol was allegedly in the house with Freeman, Heath and another man identified only by initials, according to the complaint.