August 16, 2019 at 4:36 p.m.
St. Germain man charged in connection with 2018 overdose death
St. Germain man charged in connection with 2018 overdose death
In addition to the reckless homicide charge, Noble is facing two counts of possession of narcotic drugs, possession with intent to deliver narcotic drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia. All but the last charge are felonies.
According to the criminal complaint, Noble was pulled over by an Oneida County deputy in the town of Monico Aug. 12 after a routine check of the vehicle's registration showed Noble as the owner, that his driver's license was suspended and that he had an active arrest warrant out of Vilas County.
During the stop, small quantities of heroin and fentanyl, along with cocaine, were allegedly found on his person. He also allegedly told the deputy that he had "snorted" both drugs earlier in the day.
Based on what was found on Noble's person, the vehicle he was driving was searched.
The officers who conducted the search allegedly found sizable quantities of heroin and fentanyl, cocaine, oxycodone, a digital scale and numerous items used for the consumption of various drugs, the complaint states.
The vehicle was taken to the Oneida County Sheriff's Department garage and Noble was taken to the jail, where he was placed through field sobriety tests, according to the criminal complaint.
A blood sample was also taken at Ascension Saint Mary's Hospital before he was booked into jail.
The criminal complaint also includes a detailed account of the Feb. 22, 2018 death of Wesley F. Hoeft in Minocqua.
According to the complaint, Hoeft died after ingesting heroin allegedly provided by Noble. This is the basis of the reckless homicide charge in the criminal complaint.
At Wednesday's hearing, assistant district attorney Jillian Pfeifer asked Branch I judge Patrick O'Melia to set a high cash bond in the case, due to the amount of drugs seized and the prison term Noble is facing if convicted.
"The overdose death occurred over a year ago and the defendant continued to engage in criminal activity," Pfeifer argued. "During the investigation, he was evasive and uncooperative. But from the state's perspective, this is a strong case."
Penn argued that his client has only a few old cases in his criminal history and they were all resolved as either misdemeanors or forfeitures.
"I have no record of him ever failing to appear in any criminal proceeding. He's never been convicted or charged with any bail jumping charge," Penn said. "And he has lifelong ties to Vilas County."
Penn said Noble is disabled and his only source of income is Social Security Disability payments.
O'Melia agreed with Penn that Noble's criminal history was "relatively dated," but determined the seriousness of the new charges warranted a cash bond.
"What stands out in the complaint to me is... the description of what happened back on February 22, 2018," O'Melia said. "It is real similar to what happened the other day."
The judge also noted the amount and types of drugs the police said they seized.
"He was picking up and distributing some really serious drugs, for this area, anyway," O'Melia said.
The judge then set a $40,000 cash bond and scheduled the preliminary hearing for Aug. 26.
If convicted of the reckless homicide charge, Noble faces up to 40 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.
He was also issued traffic citations for operating under the influence and operating while suspended, which will track along with the criminal case.
Jamie Taylor may be reached via email at [email protected].
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