“White Bear Township Man Sentenced in Connection with Woman’s Fatal Fentanyl Overdose”

Accident – death – Obituary News : White Bear Township Man Sentenced in Fatal Overdose Case

A White Bear Township man has been sentenced to 180 days in the Hennepin County jail and five years of probation after admitting to selling pills containing fentanyl that led to a woman’s fatal overdose. Jesse Russell Lietzau, 26, pleaded guilty to third-degree murder in connection with the death of 25-year-old Kailey Caspersen in a Richfield hotel room on May 16, 2021. Lietzau’s sentencing took place on Thursday.

The maximum prison sentence for the charge of third-degree murder is 25 years, but state sentencing guidelines in Lietzau’s case recommended a commitment of just over seven years. However, Lietzau reached a plea deal with Hennepin County prosecutors, which resulted in a sentence of probation and up to 240 days in jail in exchange for his admission of guilt.

During the sentencing, Judge Jay Quam decided to stay a seven-year prison sentence for five years, during which Lietzau will be on probation. The judge’s order prohibits work release while in jail and requires Lietzau to complete a drug treatment program after serving his time.

The victim’s mother, Nancy Caspersen, expressed disappointment with the sentence, stating that Lietzau should have been sent to prison for her daughter’s death and for his own recovery. She believed that prison would have been the best place for him to reflect and learn from his actions.

Lietzau’s attorney, John Lesch, revealed that Lietzau and Kailey Caspersen were friends who had met during their teenage years in treatment. They had stayed in touch over the years through Facebook, and Caspersen had been a source of support for Lietzau during his treatment.

The tragic incident occurred when Caspersen’s fiance found her unresponsive and not breathing in a hotel room in Richfield. She was declared dead at the scene, and the Hennepin County medical examiner determined that her cause of death was acute fentanyl toxicity.

According to her fiance’s statement to the police, they had gone to a St. Paul hotel the previous night to purchase drugs from a man known as Jesse King, who was later identified as Lietzau. Lietzau was working as a security guard at the hotel. Caspersen had bought pills from Lietzau in the past and had also obtained pills for a friend on that particular night.

Caspersen’s fiance witnessed her taking at least one of the pills she had purchased from Lietzau. Additionally, her friend confirmed that she had given Caspersen pills bought from Lietzau. The pills, known as “perc 30s,” were counterfeit and designed to resemble oxycodone hydrocodone 30mg tablets.

During the investigation, police discovered messages on Caspersen’s phone exchanged between her and Lietzau regarding the drug sale. In one of the messages, Lietzau allegedly advised Caspersen to break the pills into smaller portions.

Nancy Caspersen described her daughter as her only child and her go-to girl. She emphasized that Kailey had a kind and compassionate nature, always willing to help others. Despite her struggles with drug experimentation, marijuana was her drug of choice, not pills. Caspersen shared that her daughter had been making progress in her life and had a list of goals she was working towards.

In a heartbreaking turn of events, Nancy Caspersen now takes care of Kailey’s son, Brayden, who was 6 years old at the time of her death and is now 8. Although she wasn’t prepared to become a mother again at the age of 55, she is committed to supporting her grandson through his difficult journey.

In conclusion, Jesse Russell Lietzau has been sentenced to jail time and probation for his involvement in the fatal overdose of Kailey Caspersen. The court’s decision has left her grieving mother disappointed, believing that prison would have been more appropriate for Lietzau’s accountability and rehabilitation. The incident serves as a tragic reminder of the devastating consequences of drug abuse and the importance of seeking help and support in overcoming addiction..