SHAWANO, Wis. – Attorney General Josh Kaul today announced that Lee E. Lindner, age 38, of Shawano, Wisconsin, was sentenced to 30 years of initial confinement and 17 years of extended supervision after pleading guilty to multiple fentanyl-related reckless homicide and drug trafficking charges.
On May 28, 2025, Lindner pled and was convicted of:
- 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 offender;
- Manufacture/deliver amphetamine (10-50 grams) – use of a dangerous weapon – second and subsequent offense;
- Possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine (more than 540 grams) – second and subsequent offense;
- Possession with intent to deliver narcotic drugs – second and subsequent offense;
- Receiving stolen property – firearm; and
- Maintain a drug trafficking place – second and subsequent offense.
The investigation revealed that from January through June 2023, Lindner conspired with at least six others to obtain and distribute over 100 grams of fentanyl in Shawano County and the surrounding area. From July 2019 through June 2023, Lindner also distributed large amounts of methamphetamine throughout Shawano County.
On April 27, 2023, Lindner delivered fentanyl to an individual who transported it to the Menominee Indian Reservation, where the victim later died of a fentanyl overdose. On May 17, 2023, Lindner again delivered fentanyl to another individual, which resulted in the overdose death of a second victim.
“Those who distribute dangerous narcotics put the safety and well-being of others in jeopardy and, as this sentence shows, can face serious consequences,” said AG Kaul. “Thank you to everyone whose efforts led to the defendant’s being held accountable in this case.”
The investigation was led by the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation and the Shawano County Sherriff’s Office, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Shawano County Drug Task Force, and the Northeast Tri County Drug Enforcement Group.
The case was prosecuted by Wisconsin DOJ Assistant Attorneys General Kari Hoffman and Amy Ohtani, with the assistance from paralegal-advanced Brittney Johnson and legal associate Kara Wolf of the Wisconsin DOJ Criminal Litigation Unit.
View this press release on the DOJ website here.
