Stephen Preisler consults with his attorney during an Oct. 7, 2025 hearing in Brown County court. PC: Fox 11 Online
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Negotiations continue on a possible plea deal for Stephen Preisler on a litany of drug charges.
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.
A trial had been scheduled to start Tuesday, but was canceled due to progress in plea negotiations. Those talks continue, defense attorney Erik Maciolek said Tuesday.
Another plea hearing was set for Nov. 20. If there’s no deal then, a new trial date may be set, Judge John Zakowski said.
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 sets 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 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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