Stephen Preisler, a.k.a. "Uncle Fester" appears in Brown County court, Sept. 12, 2024. PC: Fox 11 Online
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The author known as “Uncle Fester” has reached a plea deal with prosecutors which would include convictions on multiple drug-related counts, court records show.
Stephen Preisler, 68, 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.
According to court documents filed Monday, Preisler plans to enter pleas to counts of: delivery of a controlled substance, maintaining a drug trafficking place, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, and possession of meth precursors.
For at least two of the counts, Preisler would enter an Alford plea. In an Alford plea, a defendant maintains his innocence, but acknowledges the state has enough evidence for a conviction.
If approved in court Friday, the plea deal would avoid a jury trial scheduled to start May 18.
In some cases, plea deal documents also include details on sentencing recommendations from the state and defense, but none are included in these.
The first criminal complaint in Brown County 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 sentenced last month to 15 months in prison for violating terms of his probation in Waupaca County. He was also sentenced to one year in prison for probation violations in Brown County.
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. That action is still pending.
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