Category: Breaking News

Second suspect arrested in deadly fentanyl distribution case

Red the original article and watch the video on the WECT website.

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – A second suspect has been arrested in connection with a fentanyl distribution that resulted in a death, according to the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office (NHCSO).

NHCSO deputies responded to a report of an unresponsive individual on Carolina Beach Road early Sunday, Jan. 11.

Deputies found Kenneth Howard Hudgins, who was pronounced dead at the scene due to an apparent overdose.

According to NHCSO, vice detectives determined during the investigation that Dawn Blankenship and Joshua Alberto Flores were involved in the delivery of fentanyl to Hudgins on Saturday, Jan. 10.

Leah Blankenship and Joshua Alberto Flores(New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office)

NHCSO officials said detectives found Flores on Sunday in possession of a trafficking-level quantity of fentanyl.

He was arrested and charged with trafficking fentanyl; death by distribution by sale; possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver fentanyl; and sale of fentanyl.

Flores appeared in court Thursday, Jan. 15. He received a $500,000 secured bond and was given a court-appointed attorney.

His next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 5 at 9 a.m.

Blankenship, 19, was arrested on Tuesday, Jan. 13, and charged with death by distribution; selling and delivering fentanyl; and possession with intent to sell and deliver fentanyl.

The assistant district attorney said at her court appearance Jan. 14 that Blankenship was with the victim when he died, but did not call 911 for about an hour.

Blankenship received a $250,000 bond during her court appearance and requested a court-appointed attorney.

Her next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 29 at 9 a.m.

Narcan to be available in Davidson County middle, high schools

Read the original article and watch the video on the MyFox8 website.

DAVIDSON COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) — Naloxone, commonly known as Narcan, will soon be available at every middle school and high school in Davidson County.

The Board of Education unanimously voted yes for the policy on Monday. Davidson County School officials say the district will take about 30 days for training and implementation.

Naloxone will be available in all 17 middle schools and high schools in Davidson County. A Davidson County parent whose children graduated from the district and currently have four grandchildren in the schools said the measure could save lives.

“Our son … was murdered by fentanyl,” said Lorie Loomis, a Davidson County parent.

Loomis says they have been fighting for naloxone to be available in Davidson County Schools for over two years.

“It’s a victory for the parents in this county,” said Dana Loomis, Lorie Loomis’ husband.

For Dana and Lorie, this isn’t just about policy. It’s about protecting lives.

The naloxone will be provided by the Davidson Medical Ministries at no cost. According to Janise Hurely, the executive director, each school will get two boxes of naloxone.

“The county health assessment says one of the number one issues, and it has been this way for almost 20 years now, is substance use disorder,” Hurley said. 

Dr. Greggory Slate, the superintendent of Davidson County Schools, says once implemented, naloxone could be found in schools’ medical kits.

Fourth suspect in 2024 death by distribution case apprehended, held without bond

Read the original article on the WCTI12 website.

Justin Whitmer Photo_ Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office

A fourth suspect has been arrested in connection with a death by distribution case that occurred in June of 2024, according to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.

Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to Hodges Rd. in Chocowinity, in reference to a female who was unresponsive on June 23, 2024. The victim was identified as Jacquelin Halley Hodges, and deputies started giving aid until EMS arrived on the scene. Jacquelin passed away after arriving at ECU Beaufort Hospital, BCSO says.

A preliminary investigation was conducted that evening by deputies, and a thorough follow-up investigation was conducted by Detectives. BCSO Detectives presented the case to the Beaufort County Grand Jury, following the conclusion of the investigation, and indictments were issued to four individuals in April of 2025 in relation to Hodge’s death.

Justin Whitmer, 39, of Newport News, VA, was arrested on Dec. 16, Newport, and was transferred to the Beaufort County Detention Center on Dec. 22, 2025, and received no bond. Whitmer was the fourth arrest as a result of a 2024 Death by Distribution case.

He faces the following charges:

  • Felony Death by Distribution
  • Second Degree Murder (felony)
Brandy Kinion Photo_ Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office

Brandy Kinion, 42, of Chocowinity, was arrested on April 21 and was taken to the Beaufort County Detention Center, where she received a $250,000 secured bond for the following charges:

  • Involuntary Manslaughter (felony)
  • Accessory after the Fact (felony)
Eric Wiggins Photo_ Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office

Eric Wiggins, 42, of Chocowinity, was confined on unrelated charges and was served in the Beaufort County Detention Center on April 21. Wiggins received an additonal $250,000 secured bond for the following charges:

  • Involuntary Manslaughter (felony)
Layla Hoffman Photo_ Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office

Layla Hoffman, 32, of Chocowinity, was arrested at the LAX International Airport in California on May 13, after deputies coordinated with federal law enforcement to arrest her when she returned to the United States, BCSO says. Deputies flew took custody of Hoffman on June 11. Deputies transported Hoffman back to Beaufort County, where she was taken to the Beaufort County Detention Center on a $1,000,000 bond for the following charges:

  • Felony Death by Distribution
  • Second Degree Murder (felony)

2 facing charges in drug-related death after year-long investigation in N.C.

Read the original article and watch the video on the WMBFNews website.

SCOTLAND COUNTY, NC (WMBF) – Two women are facing charges in North Carolina after a year-long investigation into a fentanyl-related death.

Deputies with the Scotland County Sheriff’s Office arrested Laura Cox, 30, of Rockingham, North Carolina, and Allison Davis, 27, of Cheraw, South Carolina, in connection with a death in May of last year.

Laura Cox (left), Allison Davis (right)(Scotland County Sheriff’s Office)

Cox and Davis are facing death by distribution and felony conspiracy charges. Both have been given bond: Cox was given a $1,500,000 secured bond, and Davis was given a $1,000,000 secured bond.

Narcotic investigator Lt. E. Haywood was notified in May of 2024 of a death involving the potential illegal distribution of Fentanyl, determining the person died from the illegal drug, the sheriff’s office said.

During the investigation, deputies gathered information from the county’s emergency services, the Scotland Memorial Hospital, and the Office of the Medical Examiners.

After the investigation and in-depth interviews were conducted, warrants were obtained, and the two were arrested on Dec. 1, 2025, according to the sheriff’s office.

Throughout the investigation, several law enforcement agencies assisted the Scotland County Sheriff’s Office, including Narcotic Investigator Sergeant S. Sullivan, the Rockingham Police Department, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center, along with the Chesterfield County/Cheraw South Carolina Law Enforcement Agencies.

Man facing deadly distribution charges after fatal fentanyl overdose in Davidson County, deputies said

Read the original article and watch the video on the WXII12 website.

In July, detectives with the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office said they started a narcotics death investigation after someone was found dead inside a home.

Detectives said the death appeared to be the result of a drug overdose.

During the investigation, officials identified Christopher Brandon Yokeley, 45, of Lexington, as the person who gave the drugs to the victim.

The autopsy and toxicology report determined that the official cause of death was fentanyl toxicity.

On Dec. 15, a grand jury indicted Yokeley on a charge of death by distribution. On Dec. 23, deputies said Yokely was served the indictment while incarcerated in the Davidson County Detention Center for unrelated drug charges.

Yokelely is still in custody, and his bond has been set at $50,000.

Davidson County man indicted for death by distribution, deputies say

Read the original article on the WFMYNews2 website.

A man in Davidson County faces indictment for allegedly distributing fentanyl leading to a fatal overdose.

Christopher Brandon Yokeley

LEXINGTON, N.C. — The Davidson County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) has indicted a man accused of death by distribution on Dec. 15.

A person was found dead inside a home after what investigators said was a drug overdose. After an autopsy and toxicology test, fentanyl toxicity was determined as the cause of death, deputies said.

Christopher Brandon Yokeley, 45, was accused of distributing the narcotics to the victim. Yokeley was indicted while incarcerated, deputies said.

He is being held under a $50,000.

Raleigh mom spreads awareness of drug overdose risk by gifting skateboards to Triangle kids

Read the original article and watch the video on the WRAL News website.

A Raleigh mom is raising awareness about drug overdose risks by gifting skateboards to children across the Triangle area. Her mission not only remembers her son but also educates families on the dangers of substance abuse.

Susan Plattner’s son, Caleb Mehlman, spent most of his free time at Marsh Creek Skatepark in Raleigh. She said skateboarding was second nature for her son. 

“At the age of three, I had a scooter, and he figured out how to push the handle down and turn it into a skateboard, and that was it,” Plattner said. “He was skating passionately ever since then.” 

Continue reading “Raleigh mom spreads awareness of drug overdose risk by gifting skateboards to Triangle kids”

Carteret County mothers share stories of loss during the holidays

Read the original story on the WCTI News12 website.

Tyler Dees and Chandler Stewart

For some families during the holidays there is an empty seat at the table — a hole that can never be filled because of addiction.

In Carteret County, two mothers are living with that loss every day after losing their sons to fentanyl overdoses.

Chandler Stewart struggled with substance use since the end of high school, in and out of rehab as he tried to recover. But one relapse changed everything.

“He had not passed away at that point he was in the hospital and we were just praying that we didn’t have to make the decision to take him off of life support so he did go on his own several hours later and I knew it had to be fentanyl.” his mother Lynn Stewart says.

Chandler died on January 1, 2022. Nearly four years later, his mother still holds tightly to his memory — and encourages other families grieving similar losses to do the same.

“We need to love our children who have past by talking about them don’t isolate yourself don’t go in a room remember all the good times they had with their loved ones.”

Christmas was Chandler’s favorite holiday. A family photo taken that day became their last picture together. Now, each family member keeps that moment close, turning the image into ornaments that hang on the tree each year.

“When I look at the picture I just see everyone arguing and everything but that was the last picture that we have of chandler with the group,” says Stewart.

Just months later, another Carteret County family faced the same devastating reality.

On November 5, 2022, Tyler Dees lost his life to fentanyl after struggling with addiction for six years.

Annie Brown the mother of Tyler says, “It’s not just an empty chair at the table for Thanksgiving or Christmas. It’s every holiday, every birthday. It’s an empty space that will never be filled again.”

Tyler had just turned 26. While many families celebrate milestones and memories, his mother says grief follows her into every moment of life.

“I feel guilty sometimes for doing things because he’s not here to do them with me. I feel like I’m not supposed to smile or laugh or have fun during certain events because he’s not here anymore. It just hits me that we have to go the rest of our lives without him.”

But Tyler loved fishing — and his mother found a way to turn that passion into purpose. She created an annual event called Fishing With Addiction, raising more than $51,000 in his memory. The funds were donated to two local recovery homes, helping others on their journey toward healing.

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