Oshkosh Man Faces Life Sentence For Fentanyl Distribution Resulting in Woman's Death

Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on November 20, 2017, Anthony R. Chaplin (age: 40) of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, appeared in federal court in Green Bay and pleaded guilty to distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine resulting in the death of another, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C).

In pleading guilty, Chaplin admitted that he was responsible for selling an Appleton area woman fentanyl and methamphetamine in May of 2017. Chaplin received the fentanyl from his drug supplier in Oshkosh and, later, sold a portion to the deceased. The supplier’s batch of fentanyl has been linked by law enforcement to four additional overdose deaths in the Fox Valley. Investigation into those overdose deaths continues.

Fentanyl is an opioid estimated to be 50 to 100 times more powerful than morphine. The charge to which Chaplin pleaded guilty carries a mandatory sentence of 20 years imprisonment and up to a life sentence. Chaplin is scheduled to be sentenced on February 20, 2018 before Chief Judge William C. Griesbach. He remains incarcerated pending that hearing.   

The distribution of “fentanyl, and other controlled substances presents an urgent threat to the safety and well-being of communities in the Eastern District of Wisconsin” according to U.S. Attorney Haanstad.    

The case was investigated by the Appleton Police Department, the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office, the Fond du Lac County Medical Examiner’s Office, and the Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.

#  #  #  #  #

For Additional Information Contact:

Public Information Officer Dean Puschnig 414-297-1700