September 27, 2023 – Fond du Lac, WI – The Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office and the Fond du Lac Police Department is releasing the following information pursuant to Wisconsin State Statute 301.45 and 301.46 (Act 440), which authorizes law enforcement agencies to inform the public of a sex offender release when, at the discretion of the agency, the release of information will enhance 
public safety and protection.
The individual who appears on this notification has been convicted of a sex offense that requires registration with the local law enforcement agencies. Further, his previous criminal history places the offender in a classification level which reflects the potential to re-offend.
This sex offender has served the sentence imposed on him by the courts. THIS PERSON IS NOT WANTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AT THIS TIME. THIS NOTIFICATION IS NOT INTENDED TO INCREASE FEAR; RATHER, IT IS OUR BELIEF THAT AN INFORMED PUBLIC IS A SAFER PUBLIC.
Sex offenders have always lived in our communities but it was not until passage of Act 440 (which mandates sex offender registration) that law enforcement even knew where they were living. There are currently more than 26,000 sex offenders on the Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry, and approximately 300 offenders living in Fond du Lac County alone. In many cases, law enforcement is now able to share information about these offenders with you.
Citizen abuse of this information used to threaten, intimidate, or harass registered sex offenders will not be tolerated, and doing so could potentially end law enforcement’s ability to conduct these notifications in the future.
Contact Information:
Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry’s website:
http://offender.doc.state.wi.us/public
Fond du Lac Police Department website:
www.fdl.wi.gov/police
Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office website:
www.fdlsheriff.com
Wisconsin Department of Health Services – (608) 266-2862
Fond du Lac Police Department:
Non-Emergency (920) 906-5555 – Emergency Dial 911
Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office:
Non-Emergency (920) 929-3390 – Emergency Dial 911
Joseph A. Prellwitz
Birthday: February 27, 1964
Race: White
Height: 5’8” Weight: 181
Hair: Gray
Eyes: Blue
The Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office and Fond du Lac Police Department has learned Joseph A Prellwitz, a Chapter 980 SEXUALLY VIOLENT PERSON, has recently petitioned the court for supervised release.
This petition was subsequently granted by the court. As a part of this process (Chapter 980.08), a Chapter 980 committee was established to address the placement of Prellwitz.
In 1992, Prellwitz was convicted in Fond du Lac County of sexually assaulting two relatives known to him. In 1985, Prellwitz was convicted of sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl.
After review of Chapter 980.08, it was determined the location of 1830 S. Hickory Street would meet the statutory requirements for his supervised placement. Prellwitz was ordered by the court to be released on or before September 29, 2023.
In 2022 and 2023, Fond du Lac County placed two residential structures at the Fond du Lac County Highway Department.
A significant amount of planning and discussion took place during this process and it was determined this location would not only meet Ch. 980 statutory requirements, but would also greatly reduce the likelihood of placement in residential areas within the county. This location also receives routine law enforcement presence as Sheriff’s Office personnel commonly conduct training near the residence and refuel squads there at all hours of the day.
Special Supervision Conditions:
1) Comply with requirements of lifetime Sex Offender Registration.
2) Comply with requirements of lifetime GPS monitoring.
3) Comply with rules established by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
Additional resources including rule information can be found at https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/sr/resources.htm
Joseph Prellwitz will begin living at 1830 S. Hickory St, in the City of Fond du Lac, on or before September 29, 2023.
If you have information regarding current criminal activity of this or any other offender, please call the Fond du Lac Police Department (920) 906-5555 or the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office at (920) 929-3390. In the case of an emergency, call 911.