10-3-19 fdl man sentenced on federal weapons, drug charges

A Fond du Lac man has been sentenced to prison for federal firearms and drug charges.  Thirty eight year old Joshua Klein was sentenced to eight years and nine months in prison and five years extended supervision.  Authorities say Klein possessed with intent to deliver heroin and marijuana from his Fond du Lac residence and had multiple prior felony convictions, including unlawful firearm possession and drug trafficking.  Authorities say a co-conspirator, 46 year old  Kerry Birkholz, also pled guilty to drug and weapons charges and is awaiting sentencing.   “Too many in our communities suffer from opioid addiction and fear of gun violence,” said U.S. Attorney Krueger. “Klein was exploiting individuals’ addictions for his own personal gain and was using firearms to do it. His prior convictions and sentences did not stop him from returning to drug dealing, and so now he faces years in federal prison. This case demonstrates exceptional collaboration between federal, state, and local law enforcement to prosecute the small number of individuals in our communities who cause the most serious problems.”      “The ATF Milwaukee Field Office takes these investigations seriously and will continue to work with our local law enforcement partners to bring such defendants to justice,” said Special Agent in Charge Timothy Jones of the ATF Chicago Field Division. “This sentence sends a strong message that felons in possession of a firearm while dealing drugs will not be tolerated in the Fond du Lac community.”   “We are proud of the collaboration between the Fond du Lac County District Attorney’s Office and the United States Attorney’s Office on serious gun cases and greatly appreciate their successful prosecution in this matter.” – FDL DA Eric J. Toney.   The investigation and prosecution resulted from the combined efforts of the Lake Winnebago Area Metro Drug Unit, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Fond du Lac Police Department, the Fond du Lac County District Attorney’s Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.