WAUSAU PILOT AND REVIEW

APPLETON, Wis. – A Kaukauna man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for his role in a string of heroin and fentanyl overdoses, one of them fatal.

Leslie A. Brown was sentenced May 20 by Outagamie Circuit Judge Mitchell Metropulos, according to a news release from Attorney General Josh Kaul. Metropulos ordered Brown to spend ten years on extended supervision following his release from prison. Brown was convicted of first degree reckless homicide on March 11.

District Attorney Melinda Tempelis said, “The opioid crisis continues to have a devastating impact on individuals, children, families and community members throughout our county. The Outagamie County District Attorney’s Office, along with the Department of Justice and our partners in law enforcement remain committed to addressing the sale and delivery of illegal drugs that put our citizens at risk.”

In late 2015, the Fox Valley Metro Police Department, Kaukauna Police Department and Lake Winnebago Area Metropolitan Enforcement Group – Drug Unit (LWAM) jointly investigated three heroin and/or fentanyl overdose saves and one heroin and fentanyl overdose death in the area. Investigators identified Leslie A. Brown as the source of illicit drugs for all four victims, and undercover investigators executed an operation to purchase heroin from Brown. Following the undercover investigation, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Brown’s residence in Kaukauna. Investigators located 11.3 grams of heroin/fentanyl and 3.5 grams of marijuana.

“As this case shows, the Wisconsin criminal justice system will not go easy on drug dealers preying on those struggling with addiction,” Kaul said.

LWAM is led by the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI).

Assistant Attorney General Peter A. Hahn prosecuted this case jointly with Assistant District Attorney Christine Bruen of the Outagamie County District Attorney’s Office. Regional assistant attorneys general, like Hahn, were funded through 2017 Wisconsin Act 261, to assist district attorneys in prosecuting drug-related offense