Stephen Preisler, a.k.a. "Uncle Fester" appears in Brown County court, Sept. 12, 2024. PC: Fox 11 Online
WAUPACA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Stephen Preisler, the author known as “Uncle Fester,” was convicted Thursday in Waupaca County for breaking bond conditions for associating with his daughter, who was listed as a ‘prohibited individual’ by the court. He was placed on probation.
Preisler, 67, gained renown under the name “Uncle Fester” for his books on how to make ricin, methamphetamine and other drugs. In July 2023, he was charged in Brown County with multiple drug manufacturing and delivery counts after items were seized from his Baird Street home. Since then, additional charges, including drug possession and bail jumping, have been added. Trial is scheduled to start Oct. 7.
Preisler was released from custody after posting a $50,000 cash bond. Bond conditions included prohibitions against associating with known drug users and sellers, as well as a list of specific individuals.
According to the Waupaca County criminal complaint, police were called to a Mukwa campground on May 31 for suspicious activity. Once there, police found evidence of drug use. Police tracked one woman to a vehicle — Preisler’s. Two of the people at the campground were on the list of those Preisler is barred from having contact with — including his daughter, the complaint states.
On Thursday, Preisler pleaded no contest to bail jumping, while a second count was dismissed.
Before the sentence was issued, Preisler said he’s concerned for his daughter due to her mental needs.
He was placed on probation for two years by Judge Raymond Huber, and will be allowed to have contact with his daughter with approval by the probation agent.
Preisler was previously convicted of bail jumping counts associated with the Brown County case. He was placed on probation and ordered to spend six months in jail. One manufacture of amphetamine count was dismissed, as two set of lab test results showed the material was not an illegal substance.
The first criminal complaint alleged the amount of methamphetamines allegedly found in his home could last the average user anywhere from 328 days to over 3,000 days. Preisler has repeatedly disputed that the items seized were illegal substances. Additional drug and bail jumping charges were later added.
Preisler also faces a civil suit filed by the city of Green Bay, seeking to have his Baird Street home declared a public nuisance in order to be sold or razed. No hearings are currently scheduled in that case. The city has offered tours to prospective buyers but the city hasn’t said if any deal has been reached.
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