An Atlantic Beach man has pled guilty to Death by Distribution of Fentanyl related to the overdose death of a 19-year-old.
Hayden James Hunter, 28, received an active sentence of 58-82 months in the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections.
Hunter was arrested on May 3, 2023, and charged with second-degree murder at the time.
The charge is related to the distribution of fentanyl, which resulted in the overdose death of Krista Olivia Taylor, 19, of Morehead City, on Oct. 16, 2022, per authorities.
Morehead City authorities say that during a narcotics investigation by these two agencies, Hunter was determined to be the source of fentanyl distribution within the community. As a result of that investigation, Hunter received additional charges by Morehead City Police: Sell of Schedule I Controlled Substance, Deliver of Schedule I Controlled Substance, Manufacturing of a Schedule I Controlled Substance and Conspiracy to Sell and Deliver a Schedule I Controlled Substance.
At the time of his arrest, Hunter was found to be in possession of heroin, methamphetamine and a firearm. Based on this evidence, the Carteret County Sheriffโs Office filed additional charges: Intent to Manufacture, Sell and Deliver Heroin and Possession with the Intent to Manufacture, Sell and Deliver Methamphetamine.