Plover Man Facing Reckless Homicide Charges Following Drug Death
By Lisa Pett
A Plover man previously charged with selling drugs was charged in Portage County Court on Monday with first-degree reckless homicide for providing the drugs that led to the overdose death of 22 year old Ethan Eckerson in February, 2014.
David Bronk, 63, currently in the Portage County Jail on the charges of drug trafficking and possession with intent to deliver, appeared in court via video feed to answer to the additional charges.
Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Constable requested $100,000 cash bond but Bronk’s attorney, David Hughes, asked for a continuation of Bronk’s $25,000 bond in the drug case.
An investigation into Ecerkson’s death lead police to search Bronk’s Dixon Street home where police discovered a large stash of methadone pills and a notebook containing information on possible drug sales.
According to Assistant District Attorney, David Knaapen, the additional charge of reckless homicide had to wait until the outcome of the autopsy, lab results, and further investigation. A jury trial on the drug charges is scheduled for April but the Prosecutor’s office plans to file a motion a court motion to try Bronk on all charges at that time. Bronk returns to court for a preliminary hearing on Feb. 2.
Judge Thomas Egan ordered Bronk held on the $25,000 cash bond.