Christopher Hoerth of North Fond du Lac has been sentenced to 12 years for his involvement in the fentanyl overdose death of his sister in 2020. As reported by WBAY, the Fond du Lac County District Attorney announced that the sentence is composed of six years of initial confinement followed by six years of extended supervision.
During a jury trial that concluded on April 4, Hoerth was found guilty of First-Degree Reckless Homicide and Felony Bail Jumping, after the jury deliberated for approximately an hour. Given the evidence presented at trial and in a subsequent sentencing hearing, the state recommended a term of confinement ranging from 10-12 years of initial confinement and 7-10 years of extended supervision, as noted by FOX6 News.
According to a statement obtained by We Are Green Bay, the Medical Examiner's findings indicated the manner of death was fentanyl toxicity, with 30 ng/mL of fentanyl found in the victim's blood. After completing a methadone clinic treatment in 2018 and then relapsing, Hoerth's sister tragically lost her life when Hoerth delivered the fatal substance to her.
Reflecting on this case, District Attorney Eric Toney said, "No parent should have to bury their child, but fentanyl continues to kill, with families and communities devastated from the deadly impact of fentanyl. We will continue to fight for justice for those families in the hopes we can deter others from feeling the deadly impact of fentanyl," as reported by WBAY. Additionally, Hoerth pleaded no contest to possession of narcotic drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia yesterday, according to FOX6 News.
The involvement of several law enforcement agencies, including the North Fond du Lac Police Department and officers from Fond du Lac and Grand Chute, was pivotal to the investigation that led to Hoerth's conviction and sentencing.
