Fatal Overdose on the Menominee Indian Reservation Leads to Murder and Drug Distribution Charges for Two People

Matthew D. Krueger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on March 26, 2019, a federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment against two people who allegedly distributed controlled substances on the Menominee Indian Reservation and led to the death of a man, and another who deleted messages between one of the defendants and the deceased. The indictment named Alissa M. Waupoose (Age: 28), Ronald J. Frechette (Age: 39), and Kelly Nacotee (Age: 41), all of whom are enrolled members of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin. The three all reside in Keshena, which is on the Menominee Indian Reservation in Wisconsin.

Count One of the indictment charged Waupoose and Frechette with Distribution of Controlled Substance Analogue Resulting Death in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 813 and 841. Waupoose and Frechette face a mandatory minimum of 20 years, and up to life, in prison; up to a $5 million fine; and from 3 years to life on supervised release. The charge also carries a $100 special assessment.

Count Two of the indictment charged Waupoose and Frechette with Second-Degree Murder in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1111, 1153, and 2. Waupoose and Frechette each face a maximum sentence of life in prison, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to 5 years of supervised release. The charge also carries a $100 special assessment.

Count Three of the indictment charged Kelly Nacotee with Misprision of a Felony in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 4. Nacotee faces a maximum sentence of 3 years in prison, up to a $250,000 fine, up to 3 years on supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

According to the indictment, on or about September 13, 2016, Waupoose and Frechette killed a man by distributing a chemical analogue of fentanyl to him. Nacotee deleted messages between Frechette and the deceased after learning of his overdose.           

The case was investigated by the Menominee Tribal Police Department, Menominee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s Diversion Control Division and the Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory. The case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Maier.

An indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

For additional information contact: Public Information Officer Kenneth Gales at 414 297-1700   

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