Waushara County Residents Charged with First-Degree Reckless Homicide for Heroin-Related Overdose Death and for Conspiracy to Deliver Heroin

MADISON — Waushara County District Attorney Scott Blader and Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced the filing of a criminal complaint charging several Waushara County residents with crimes related to a conspiracy to deliver heroin in Waushara County. Those charged include:

• Randy L. Lindgren, Township of Dakota, Waushara County, WI: First-Degree Reckless Homicide (PTAC) and Conspiracy to Deliver Heroin (>50 grams);

• John P. Gearnhardt, Redgranite, WI: First-Degree Reckless Homicide (PTAC) and Conspiracy to Deliver Heroin (>50 grams);

• Theresa Lindgren, Redgranite, WI: Conspiracy to Deliver Heroin (>50 grams);

• Christopher Legler, Redgranite, WI: Conspiracy to Deliver Heroin (>50 grams);

• Michael D. Bertzyk, Wautoma, WI: Conspiracy to Deliver Heroin (>50 grams) and Perjury;

• Buckie Rehwinkel, Hancock, WI: Conspiracy to Deliver Heroin (>50 grams);

• Becky J. Holman, Redgranite, WI: Conspiracy to Deliver Heroin (>50 grams);

• Joshua Vetter, Berlin, WI: Delivery of Heroin (<1 gram).

Upon conviction for first-degree reckless homicide, a Class C felony, the maximum penalties include a fine of not more than $100,000 and imprisonment for not more than 40 years, or both.

Upon conviction for conspiracy to deliver more than 50 grams of heroin, a felony, the maximum penalties include a fine of not more than $100,000 and imprisonment for not more than 40 years, or both.

Upon conviction of delivery of heroin (less than 1 gram), a felony, the maximum penalties include a fine of not more than $25,000 and imprisonment for not more than 12 years and 6 months, or both.

Upon conviction for perjury, a Class H Felony, the maximum penalties include a fine of not more than $10,000, and imprisonment for not more than 6 years, or both.

According to the criminal complaint, on April 12, 2012, Village of Redgranite police officers responded to a complaint of a medical emergency. They found the body of AmaliaJ. Henschel, outside of a residence on Steger Street, in the Village of Redgranite. According to the forensic pathologist's report, Ms. Henschel died from an acute heroin fatality and that the decedent's cause of death is attributed to a toxicologic process, specifically involving heroin. According to the criminal complaint, Randy Lindgren and John Gearnhardt allegedly supplied the heroin to Ms. Henschel that resulted in her death. In addition, Randy Lindgren, John Gearnhardt, Theresa Lindgren, Christopher Legler, Michael Bertzyk, Buckie Rehwinkel, and Becky Holman were charged with participating in a conspiracy to deliver heroin in Waushara County between April 2011 and June 2012.

Waushara County District Attorney Scott Blader and Assistant Attorney General Karie Cattanach will represent the State of Wisconsin in this prosecution.

The Waushara County Sheriff's Department and the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation investigated this case with assistance from Central Wisconsin Drug Task Force.

While each of the above individuals has been charged with criminal offenses, they are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The State has the burden to prove their guilt for these offenses beyond a reasonable doubt.

A copy of the criminal complaint is available at the following link: