By Shereen Siewert
Homicide charges have been filed against a 59-year-old man in connection with a 2018 overdose death in Minocqua.
Bradley F. Noble, 59, faces charges of first degree reckless homicide by delivery of drugs, possession of narcotic drugs, possession of narcotic drugs with intent to deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia in a case filed Wednesday in Oneida County Circuit Court.
The charges are all connected to the Feb. 22, 2018 death of Wesley Forest Hoeft, who was discovered dead in a parked vehicle in Minocqua. Toxicology tests performed on Hoeft indicated he died of an overdose of fentanyl and cocaine, according to a WJFW report. Noble has been connected to the case since July 2019, police said.
But Noble wasn’t in custody until Monday, Aug. 12. That’s when an Oneida County Sheriff’s deputy stopped WeNoble, who had an open Vilas County warrant, on Hwy. 8 near Monico and discovered cocaine, heroin and other items related to drug trafficking, police said. Noble allegedly failed field sobriety tests and admitted he used heroin and cocaine before getting behind the wheel on Monday.
WJFW reports Noble and Hoeft allegedly used cocaine the day before Hoeft died. Police also accuse Noble of purchasing heroin and giving it to Hoeft shortly before his overdose.
Judge Patrick O’Melia set a $40,000 cash bond for Noble. He faces a combined 62 years in prison if convicted on all four felonies.
Noble is due back in court August 26.
