GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Rene Puente was sentenced Friday to four years in prison for his role in supplying the drugs used in a fatal overdose.
Puente, 33, was convicted of first-degree reckless homicide for the April 2020 death of a 27-year-old man at a Bellevue hotel. He was also placed on extended supervision for six years by Judge Beau Liegeois.
Before the sentence was issued, the victim’s father asked the court to make an example out Puente for making money by selling lethal drugs.
Puente apologized to the victim’s family, hoping they could find it to forgive him.
“I just want to put this behind me and focus on bettering myself as a man, as a father, as a son. I’m not a bad person at all. Drug addiction has caused me to make stupid decisions in my life. I know this is probably my last opportunity to save my life and change my future for the better. I’m going to be a positive role model for my kids and for the younger generation. And, with that, I’m sorry,” Puente said.
Co-defendant Jereme Newton will be sentenced Monday for the same conviction. Puente testified against Newton at his trial, a prosecutor said Friday.
According to the criminal complaint, the victim’s employer was concerned when he didn’t show up for work. Deputies entered the hotel room and found the unnamed man, who was deceased. Puente arranged for Newton to deliver heroin and meth to the victim at the hotel.
Puente was also sentenced to a concurrent sentence for stealing $15,000 worth of electronics during a school Christmas band concert event at Franklin Middle School in 2019. He stole the items, mostly mobile phones, and sold them to fuel a drug habit.
Comments