Grimy Times Exclusive: Fentanyl Trafficking Leads to Death on Menominee Indian Reservation
A grim reminder of the devastating impact of fentanyl trafficking, a federal indictment unsealed today charges two Menominee Indian Tribe members with distributing the deadly substance on their reservation, resulting in the death of a 28-year-old man. Alissa M. Waupoose, 28, and Ronald J. Frechette, 39, both of Keshena, Wisconsin, face a mandatory minimum of 20 years, and up to life, in prison; up to a $5 million fine; and from 3 years to life on supervised release.
According to the indictment, on or about September 13, 2016, Waupoose and Frechette killed the man by distributing a chemical analogue of fentanyl to him. Kelly Nacotee, 41, also of Keshena, Wisconsin, is charged with misprision of a felony for deleting messages between Frechette and the deceased after learning of his overdose.
The indictment charges Waupoose and Frechette with Distribution of Controlled Substance Analogue Resulting in Death, a charge that carries a mandatory minimum of 20 years, and up to life, in prison; up to a $5 million fine; and from 3 years to life on supervised release. They also face a second-degree murder charge, with a maximum sentence of life in prison, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to 5 years of supervised release.
Kelly Nacotee faces a maximum sentence of 3 years in prison, up to a $250,000 fine, up to 3 years on supervised release, and a $100 special assessment for misprision of a felony.
The case was investigated by the Menominee Tribal Police Department, Menominee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s Diversion Control Division and the Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Maier will be prosecuting the case.
An indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Contact Public Information Officer Kenneth Gales at 414 297-1700 for additional information.
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Key Facts
- State: Wisconsin
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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