Wausau Man Sentenced for Drug Overdose Death

Monday, February 23rd, 2026 -- 11:01 AM

(Mike Leischner, WSAU) A Wausau man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for providing the drugs that led to an overdose death during a party in the summer of 2020.

According to Mike Leischner with WSAU, Otha Franklin was sentenced Friday morning after pleading no contest to a reduced charge of second-degree reckless homicide earlier this week, avoiding a week-long jury trial that was originally scheduled to wrap today.

The 47-year-old was snorting pills with the victim during a party at a downtown apartment when the victim started having a seizure. Franklin discouraged others at the party from calling for help, then took the drugs and left.

Franklin was immediately named as a suspect but remained at-large for nearly four years before he was arrested in Milwaukee. Franklin’s sentence also included ten years on extended supervision and a full no-contact order with the victim’s family.

He must also maintain absolute sobriety from alcohol and all other controlled substances unless prescribed. Court records show at least five victim impact statements were read before the sentence was handed down, including one that was not signed.

Franklin also made a statement before the sentence was handed down.

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