Stephen Preisler, a.k.a. "Uncle Fester" appears in Brown County court, Sept. 12, 2024. PC: Fox 11 Online
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — With two new sets of bail jumping allegations and the defense raising trial preparation concerns, Stephen Preisler’s Oct. 7 trial on a litany of drug charges was postponed Thursday.
Preisler, 67, who 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.
Within the last week, two new sets of charges were filed. Preisler pleaded not guilty Thursday to four counts of bail jumping and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.
Defense attorney Eric Maciolek said there are plea negotiations continuing. But with the recent disclosure of the witness list, Maciolek asked for a delay of the trial for more time to prepare.
No new trial date was set. The parties will return to court Oct. 7, for what could be a plea hearing or a scheduling conference.
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.
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.
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.
Comments