SHAWANO, Wis. (WFRV) – Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul announced Wednesday morning that a Shawano man has received a 30-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to several drug-related homicide and trafficking charges.
According to a release from the Shawano County Sheriff’s Office, an investigation running from January 2023 through June 2023 revealed that, now 38 years old, Lee L. Linder worked with at least six other people to obtain and distribute over 100 grams of fentanyl throughout Shawano County and its surrounding areas.
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Linder was also found to have distributed large amounts of methamphetamine throughout Shawano County from July 2019 through June 2023.
In April of 2023, Linder reportedly delivered fentanyl to someone who took it to the Menominee Indian Reserve and later died of a fentanyl overdose. Weeks later, in May of 2023, he delivered fentanyl to another person who also died of an overdose.
Linder pled guilty to the following fentanyl-related reckless homicide and drug trafficking charges on May 28:
- Two counts of first-degree reckless homicide – deliver drug as party to a crime
- Conspiracy to deliver fentanyl (more than 50 grams)
- Three counts of deliver/manufacture amphetamine (3-10 grams) – second and subsequent offense
- Manufacture/deliver amphetamine (10-50 grams) – use of a dangerous weapon – second and subsequent offense
- Possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine (more than 50 grams) – second and subsequent offense
- Possession with intent to deliver narcotic drugs – second and subsequent offense
- Receiving stolen property – firearm
- Maintain a drug trafficking place – second and subsequent offense.
Wisconsin Attorney General Kaul says Linder will now spend 30 years in prison with 17 years of extended supervision after being officially sentenced.
Those who distribute dangerous narcotics put the safety and well-being of others in jeopardy and, as this sentence shows, can face serious consequences. Thank you to everyone whose efforts led to the defendant’s being held accountable in this case.
Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul
