Arrest Made in Overdose Death Investigation
Arrest Made in Overdose Death Investigation
July 27, 2022
On Wednesday, July 27, 2022, Lathan G. Foster was taken into custody in Benton County, Arkansas by the U.S. Marshall’s Service on behalf of the West Salem Police Department in connection to a 1st Degree Reckless Homicide that occurred on December 31, 2021 in the Village of West Salem, Wisconsin.
On 12/31/2021 at approximately 9:21 p.m., officers responded to 293 Driftwood St., for a report of fire and an unconscious male. Upon arrival, officers located an unresponsive male, later identified as Jeremy Pittman lying on his back against a kitchen cabinet. Officers and emergency responders attempted life-saving measures for more than a half hour but were unsuccessful.
On 01/03/2022, an autopsy was performed at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. The cause of death was determined to be Fentanyl Toxicity.
During the course of the investigation, officers were able to determine that Foster provided and delivered illicit drugs that contained Fentanyl that ultimately led to the overdose death of Jeremy Pittman.
Foster currently remains in custody at the Benton County Sheriff’s Office Jail awaiting extradition to the La Crosse County Jail.
The charge against Lathan Foster are merely accusations. He is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The West Salem Police Department were assisted by the La Crosse County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshall’s Service.
Respectfully,
Kyle Holzhausen
Chief of Police
West Salem Police Department
