Muskego Man Pleads Guilty in Imprisonment Case

Sentencing for Muskego man Anthony Cottello will take place on June 21 in Waukesha County Circuit Court in a case of false imprisonment after a plea deal was reached on May 2. The defendant had originally entered a not guilty plea for false imprisonment and felony intimidation of a victim in January.

Cottello had held his girlfriend against her will and prevented her from contacting police, according to reports, and has now pleaded guilty to two counts of disorderly conduct, and one count of intimidating a victim.

According to the criminal complaint:

Muskego Police responded to a 911 hang up call on Oct. 21 and arrived at Cottello's home around 8 a.m. but no one came to the door when they first rang the bell. Officers say they heard a woman inside the home scream so they broke into the residence where they found the Cottello and his girlfriend and separated them.

The report stated that the couple were out the night before and returned to the man's home to watch movies, but ended up in an argument over his suspected infidelity. When the woman attempted to leave, the defendant took her purse and barred her from leaving.

Cottello told police he was trying to settle the argument and didn't think he was committing a crime.

Police interviewed the woman and it was revealed that the couple, who has been dating for about a year and a half, has been involved in previous similar incidents in Muskego and West Allis.

The woman stayed overnight, but was forced to stay in Cottello's bedroom, according to the report. When they woke on Sunday, the argument resumed and she was again prevented from leaving. During her attempt to call 911, he took the phone from her, eventually putting her in the bathroom when police arrived, reports state.