MONROE — The man accused of supplying the drugs, possibly the powerful opiate fentanyl, connected to the overdose death of a 32-year-old Monroe man in August has pleaded not guilty to the crime in Green County Circuit Court.

The victim, Daniel Kundert, was found unresponsive in a Monroe hotel room Aug. 23. A preliminary cause of death led investigators to charge Levi Edward Jordan Janssens with supplying the deadly drugs he allegedly took, although they said official toxicology tests would take time to come back.

As a result, Janssens, a Monroe native who was living in Verona at the time, has been charged with first degree reckless homicide and possession of narcotics. 

The plea came during an arraignment for Janssens on Tuesday before Green County Circuit Judge Thomas J. Vale. According to court records, Janssens stood mute before the court as his attorney, Adam Thomas Witte, entered the not guilty plea on his behalf.

Janssens has been free since Aug. 31 on $15,000 bond, according to court records. Quick-thinking investigators reportedly used Kundert’s cell phone to order more of the drugs in question and arrest Janssens before news of his death was made public, police said.

First-degree reckless homicide is a Class B felony in Wisconsin, punishable by up to 60 years in state prison.

The next hearing for Janssens on the charges is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on October 18 before Vale.