A Wallace man is behind bars and charged in relation to an overdose death from March, 2024.
Elijan Eddie Robinson was arrested on Monday, Feb. 17, by the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Division following an investigation that began on March 7, 2024.
In March, 2024, Deputies responded to a call on NC 50 South in Rose Hill where they found Jacey Newkirk was found deceased in her residence.
Per a release, through an ongoing investigation, narcotic investigators with the DCSO Special Operations Division (SOD) with assistance from the DCSO Criminal Investigation Division (CID) determined that the victim had obtained narcotics from Robinson prior to her death. On February 13, 2025, the North Carolina State Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that the cause of death was a fentanyl overdose.
As a result of the investigation, Elijah Eddie Robinson has been charged with:
Death by Distribution (Felony – 1 Count)
Robinson is currently being held in the Duplin County Jail on a $250,000 bond. Sheriff Stratton Stokes would like to thank Beulaville Police Chief Karl Mobley for his assistance in this case as well.
ROSE HILL, N.C. (WNCT) — A Duplin County man was charged with death by distribution in connection to a fentanyl overdose death in Rose Hill in March of 2024.
Elijah Eddie Robinson, of Wallace, was identified as a suspect after an investigation by the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office after deputies responded to a call on South N.C. Highway 50 where a female identified as Jacey Newkirk was found dead in her home.
The death appeared to be the result of an overdose. Investigators found Newkirk had gotten narcotics from Robinson prior to her death. On February 13, 2025, the N.C. State Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed Newkirk’s death was due to a fentanyl overdose.
Robinson was jailed in the Duplin County Jail under a $250,000 bond.
The Pamlico County Sheriff’s Office has announced three arrests in connection with fatal drug overdoses.
The first happened on Jan 30, 2024, when the PCSO responded to a call at 338 Foxwood Trail in Reelsboro regarding an unresponsive female later identified as Jacqueline Mantia, according to officials. Mantia’s cause of death was later determined to be due to a drug-related overdose and investigators identified Richard Evans as the individual responsible for delivering the controlled substance that led to Jacqueline Mantia’s fatal overdose, per officials. Evans was arrested on January 31, 2025, and charged with Death by Distribution of Controlled Substance.
Per a release, “in an unrelated investigation, on December 4, 2023, the Pamlico County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call at 215 Shingle Brook Road in the Olympia Community of Pamlico County in reference to an unresponsive male. Upon arrival responding deputies discovered the body of Jason Stultz deceased of an apparent drug overdose.
Following a thorough investigation, it was determined that the cause of death was a drug-related overdose. The Craven County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit assisted with the investigation, and through cooperation among multiple agencies, two individuals were identified as suspects.
Investigators identified Lisa Bass and Steven Smith, both residents of Craven County, as the individuals responsible for selling and delivering the controlled substance that led to the fatal overdose of Jason Stultz. Bass and Smith have been charged with Death by Distribution of Controlled Substance.
Both suspects were arrested by other agencies under the issued warrants and subsequently transferred to the Pamlico County Detention Center.”
Sheriff Chris Davis made the following statement regarding the case:
“It is our goal to continue to arrest those responsible for distributing this poison to our family and friends in Pamlico County. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families that have and continue to be negatively affected by this type of behavior. Another solid investigation by the men and women of the Pamlico County Sheriff’s Office.”
The Pamlico County Sheriff’s Office urges the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity or information related to the distribution of illegal substances.
The Pamlico County Sheriff’s Office is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all citizens in Pamlico County through proactive law enforcement and community partnership.
Richard Evans, 61 from Reelsboro charged with one count of Death By Distribution of Controlled Substance, and Posses Weapon of Mass Destruction. Hughes is being held on a secured bond of $100,000.00 Bond.
Lisa Bass, 53 from Craven County charged with one count of Death By Distribution of Controlled Substance. Bass is being held on a secured bond of $100,000.00 Bond.
Steven Smith, 52 from Craven County charged with one count of Death By Distribution of Controlled Substance. Smith is being held on a secured bond of $150,000.00 Bond.
PAMLICO COUNTY, N.C. (WNCT) — Pamlico County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call regarding an unresponsive female on January 30.
The female was later identified as Jacqueline Mantia. After investigation, it was discovered that the cause of death was a drug-related overdose. Investigators identified Richard Evans as the person responsible for delivering the controlled substance that led to Mantia’s death.
Evans was arrested on January 31 and charged with Death by Distribution of Controlled Substance.
PASQUOTANK, N.C. (WAVY) — A man in North Carolina was charged in the death of a woman after she died from fentanyl ingestion.
On July 2, 2024, around 4 p.m., deputies with the Pasquotank County Sheriff’s Office and EMS responded to the 700 block of Egan Lane in Elizabeth City. Crews arrived and attempted life-saving measures on an unconscious and unresponsive woman, but were unsuccessful.
29-year-old Jessica Modlin was pronounced dead at the scene. It was determined that fentanyl was the cause of death.
On Jan. 30, 2025, investigators with the Pasquotank County Sheriff’s Office arrested and charged Dontae Williams with death by distribution.
Dontae Williams is currently in the custody of Albemarle District Jail under a $1 million secure bond.
MACON COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — A Macon County man has been charged in an overdose death of another man.
The Macon County Sheriff’s Office posted on social media on Feb. 5 that Tanner Gerber was indicted for the overdose death of Daniel Stanfield and formally charged with death by distribution.
This charge is designed to hold drug dealers accountable for fatal overdoses, the sheriff’s office said in its Facebook post. It said the charge was also part of “ongoing efforts to combat the drug epidemic affecting the community.”
The sheriff’s office said in its post that District Attorney Ashley Welch played a key role in drafting the legislation that established death by distribution as a prosecutable offense.
“This law provides law enforcement with a critical tool to pursue those who distribute deadly narcotics, reinforcing the message that drug-related deaths will not go unanswered,” the sheriff’s office said.
“The tragic death of Daniel Stanfield is a stark reminder of the devastating impact of illegal drugs in our community,” Macon County Sheriff Brent Holbrooks said in the post. “This indictment sends a clear message to those who distribute lethal substances will be held accountable. We will continue to work tirelessly to protect our citizens and seek justice for victims and their families.”
Barb Walsh, Executive Director, 919-614-3830 barb@fentvic.org. website: www.fentvic.org Fentanyl Victims Network of NC (fentvic.org), 501(c)(3) EIN 88-3921380
Local Co-Host: Lisa Bennett, Mother of Mason Bennett, Forever 22. Valued member of fentvc.org. Public safety, education & justice advocate. 229-873-5648 lisawbennett@me.com
Purpose
SAVE LIVES! Public Safety Education Prevention Tools + Naloxone Distribution & Training
Listen-Learn-Interview devastated fentanyl victim families. It could happen to anyone!
Spark public safety conversations about the dangers of illicit fentanyl, particularly counterfeit pressed pills (Adderall, Xanax, Percocet), and access to life-saving naloxone in schools and the community
Connect NC Fentanyl Victim Families to one another for support and advocacy.
