Fourth and final defendant sentenced in Ripon fentanyl death

Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric J. Toney announced Friday, February 7, 2025, that Donavyn J. Mueller was sentenced by Judge Douglas Edelstein to a prison term of 20 years for a First Degree Reckless Homicide Conviction. The prison term is 10 years of initial confinement and 10 years of extended supervision.

The conviction stems from the April 7. 2023 fentanyl death of an 18 year old man in the City of Ripon. Three other defendants were previously sentenced for their roles in this fentanyl death. The investigation shows the known chain of delivery started with Donovyn Mueller, who became the target of the investigation, to Kyle Lamb (deceased), to Joseph Schmidt-Rehbein and Mason Springston, and ultimately to the Victim.

District Attorney Toney stated “The Ripon Police Department did an exceptional job investigating this death to help the family receive justice by climbing three layers deep in the chain of delivery of this fentanyl death, which is rare. Their dedication and hard work has taken another dangerous drug dealer off our streets. We will continue fighting the deadly opioid epidemic with our law enforcement partners and standing with all families that continue to suffer from this epidemic.”

This case was investigated by the City of Ripon Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney David Maas.