A newly released booking-room video is raising tough questions about how Milwaukee police handle sexual-assault reports. In the clip, Officer Nicolas Ornelas appears to challenge the account of Charlotte Nozar, who reported being raped, asking whether she is “being truthful” as she describes an attack that prosecutors say happened on Dec. 18, 2024. The brief but tense exchange has renewed concern among advocates about the way survivors are questioned the moment they come forward.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel published the full video on May 20, 2026. In it, Ornelas repeatedly presses Nozar on whether her account is accurate and pointedly asks, “Are you being truthful?” while she recounts the assault, a line of questioning advocates say can feel more like an interrogation than an interview.
Case Background
Nozar told prosecutors she was attacked in an elevator near 24th Street and Wisconsin Avenue on Dec. 18, 2024, according to reporting by WISN 12. The suspect, Tremonte Kirk, later pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 35 years in adult court, as covered in a report on his 35-year sentence.
Why the Video Matters
Victim advocates, along with statewide guidance, warn that skeptical or accusatory questioning can retraumatize survivors and chill cooperation at a critical moment. The Wisconsin Adult Sexual Assault Response Team recommends a victim-centered, trauma-informed approach, including limiting detailed questioning immediately after an assault, as outlined by WCASA’s SART protocol.
It is not yet clear whether the footage will trigger an internal review or lead to changes in Milwaukee Police Department training. The video surfaces amid broader scrutiny of how police agencies handle sexual-assault complaints. Human Rights Watch and other watchdog groups have documented how disbelieving or dismissive police interactions can derail investigations and discourage survivors from reporting, adding weight to advocates’ calls for clearer training and oversight, per Human Rights Watch…