UPDATE: Fatal Drug Overdose
Posted on 11/21/2023
Date: 11/21/23
Case: UPDATE: Kewaskum Fentanyl Overdose 23-38977
Authority: Lieutenant of Detectives Tim Kemps

On Monday, November 20th, 2023, investigators with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Division, in partnership with investigators from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force and Racine County Sheriff’s Office, made a second arrest in the suspected fatal fentanyl overdose death that occurred in the Village of Kewaskum on November 9th, 2023.

Authorities arrested a twenty-five-year-old City of Racine man in connection with the overdose death on Monday afternoon. A twenty-six-year-old Racine man had been arrested the day after the fatal overdose for his connection to the case. The twenty-six-year-old has remained in custody at the Washington County Jail on a $50,000 cash bond since November 10th and is due in court tomorrow, where formal charges are expected to be filed. The Racine man who was arrested yesterday is due in court later today for a bond hearing with formal charges anticipated in the coming weeks.

The investigation has shown that these two men allegedly drove from the City of Racine to the Village of Kewaskum to sell fentanyl to the victim on the night of the overdose, as well as another time several days before the overdose. Now both men face charges for delivery of fentanyl and reckless endangering safety. The investigation into this case is not over and Washington County Sheriff’s Office investigators could potentially seek additional charges down the road for reckless homicide in connection with this case.

Washington County Sheriff Martin Schulteis stated, “I understand that these arrests will not bring the victim back to her family, which will no doubt be especially difficult over the upcoming holidays, but I am hopeful these arrests can provide some level of comfort to friends and family. I also hope that those who sell dangerous drugs in our community take notice. We have an agency full of dedicated deputies and staff who are dedicated to keeping this community safe and secure. They are working day and night to prevent dangerous drugs like fentanyl from being distributed into our community while bringing to justice those that choose to bring it here.”