Drug author 'Uncle Fester' pleads not guilty to some charges, plea deal still possible | WTAQ News Talk | 97.5 FM · 1360 AM

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The author known as “Uncle Fester” pleaded not guilty to the two most recent charges Thursday as talks continue on a plea agreement to resolve all four cases.

Stephen Preisler, 66, became known for his books on the manufacture of ricin, methamphetamine and other drugs. Last year he was charged with multiple counts of drug manufacture and delivery. Since then, more charges have been added, including drug possession and jumping bail.

The not guilty pleas entered Thursday involved four counts of bail jumping and one count of THC possession.

A status conference is scheduled for October 15. If the case is not resolved, a trial date will be set.

Preisler had posted bail of $50,000, but that was revoked after a later arrest. Judge John Zakowski reduced the bail in the two most recent cases from $15,000 to $7,500 each.

The initial criminal complaint states that the amount of methamphetamine allegedly found in his home could last an average user between 328 and over 3,000 days. Preisler has repeatedly denied that the seized items were illegal substances.

Preisler also faces a civil lawsuit from the city of Green Bay seeking to have his Baird Street home declared a public nuisance so it can be sold or demolished. No hearings are currently scheduled in that case.