From left: Michael Manske, Donavyn Mueller, Joseph Schmidt-Rehbein and Maison Springston. PC: Fox 11 Online
FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Michael Manske was sentenced to one year in prison for his role in a fatal fentanyl overdose, in which the victim was found dead on a Ripon sidewalk.
Manske, 23, was also placed on extended supervision for five years, and probation for five years by Judge Andrew Christenson Tuesday, court records show. He had previously been convicted of first-degree recklessly endangering safety and other counts for the April 2023 death.
Officials say the 18-year-old victim and other teens went to a home on Scott Street in Ripon and used narcotics. While there, the victim began to experience overdose symptoms and became unresponsive. The people in the home took him outside, placed him on the sidewalk and ran away.
His body was found the next morning. The medical examiner listed bromazolam and fentanyl toxicity as the cause of death, according to the complaint.
(Donavyn) “Mueller sends [name] an audio message where he is informing [name] of what the pills he would be selling him really are, and what their potency is. Mueller tells [name] the product is definitely good, that it’s good money, but it’s not good for your clientele. Mueller tells [name] that there is fentanyl in the pills, and that if someone takes a full pill or a small person takes more than half of one, it would really mess them up. This message clearly shows that Mueller was knowingly distributing fentanyl laced counterfeit pills with the appearance of being Percocet 30 milligram pills,” the complaint states.
Three others were convicted in connection with the death: Maison Springston was sentenced to seven years in prison. Joseph Schmidt-Rehbein was sentenced to 5.5 years in prison. Donavyn Mueller’s sentencing is Feb. 7.
The investigation shows the known chain of delivery started with Donovyn Mueller, who became the target of the investigation, to Kyle Lamb (deceased), to Joseph Schmidt-Rehbein with Mason Springston, and ultimately to the victim, prosecutors said.
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