Former Racine County deputy James Lehman appeared in court Thursday for the first time on felony charges stemming from an April youth turkey hunt in which he allowed his 3-year-old daughter to pull the trigger of a shotgun, striking a fellow deputy and that deputy’s 7-year-old son.
Lehman, 35, of Union Grove, resigned from the Racine County Sheriff’s Office on Sept. 9 while on administrative leave, facing criminal charges and an internal investigation. Court Commissioner Sally Hoelzel set a $10,000 signature bond and ordered him to have no contact with the victims or their family and not to possess firearms or hunt. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 7.
The Racine County District Attorney’s Office transferred the case to Walworth County District Attorney Zeke Wiedenfeld to avoid a conflict of interest because both the defendant and one of the victims worked for the sheriff’s office. Lehman’s attorney declined comment.
Charges and Court Conditions
Lehman is charged with two counts of second-degree reckless injury with use of a dangerous weapon and two counts of injury by negligent use of a weapon. News outlets have reported that the reckless-injury counts together carry a potential maximum of about 25 years in prison and the negligent-use counts a combined maximum of about seven years; exact exposure depends on Wisconsin’s felony classifications and any weapon enhancers.
He appeared out of custody. The sheriff’s office said it would not discuss his reasons for resigning but noted he did so while already on leave, under criminal prosecution, and subject to an administrative review of department policy.
What investigators say happened
The shooting occurred the afternoon of Sunday, April 12, 2026 at Cherry Lake Sedge Meadow in the Honey Creek Wildlife Area near Burlington, during Wisconsin’s two-day youth turkey hunt. Youth hunters 15 and under may hunt under adult supervision that weekend before the regular season.
According to the criminal complaint, Lehman was hunting with his 3-year-old daughter and using a 12-gauge semi-automatic shotgun. He told Department of Natural Resources wardens he saw movement he believed was a white turkey head and fan, rested the barrel over a fallen tree, and had his daughter — positioned in front of him — pull the trigger when they saw movement again. The shot traveled about 39 yards and struck a 40-year-old Racine County deputy and the deputy’s 7-year-old son, who were also turkey hunting.
The two men knew each other. The victim told investigators he had previously described his hunting spots on the state land but asked Lehman not to hunt there. Lehman said he did not think the other pair was hunting that afternoon. He stayed at the scene and spoke with wardens. The victims were not using turkey decoys or fans and were wearing camouflage.
Lehman told investigators he was not a very experienced turkey hunter and that it was one of his first times hunting independently. He did not have a hunter-safety certificate and said he was exempt because of prior U.S. military service. Adults accompanying children under 12 in the youth hunt are generally required to have completed hunter education or equivalent military training.
Victims’ Injuries
The 7-year-old was struck by pellets in the back and head. He had surgery in June; doctors could not remove pellets from his skull, brain, and near his spinal cord. Neither prosecutors nor the sheriff’s office provided a current medical update this week.
His father was hit in the back, lower torso, left hand, and arm. He was treated at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee and released the same night. At a follow-up 12 days later he still had significant swelling and numbness in his left arm.
Lehman ran to the victims after the shot, according to the complaint.
The case remains in the early stages. Lehman has not entered a plea. The next scheduled court date is the Oct. 7 preliminary hearing, at which a judge will decide whether there is probable cause to bind the case over for trial.
