Winneshiek County brothers charged with distribution of heroin, fentanyl

Two brothers from Winneshiek County were indicted Thursday in federal court for distributing heroin and fentanyl and illegally possessing firearms.

Kaleb Breitsprecher, 22, of Ossian, pleaded not guilty Thursday in U.S. District Court to three counts of distribution of heroin and one count of possession of firearms as a drug user.

Cole Breitsprecher, 24, also of Ossian, pleaded not guilty to distribution of fentanyl and one count of possession of firearms as a drug user.

Both remain in custody pending detention hearings set for Tuesday.

The indictment shows Kaleb Breitsprecher distributed heroin to another person on April 5 and 18, and May 19. It also shows Cole Breitsprecher distributed fentanyl to another person on May 2. Both men are charged with being unlawful drug users and having multiple firearms on June 6.

If convicted on all charges, Kaleb Breitsprecher faces up to 70 years in federal prison, $3.2 million in fines, up to a lifetime term of supervised release following any prison time. Cole Breitsprecher faces up to 30 years in prison, $1.2 million in fines and up to a lifetime term of supervised release.

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