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KINSTON, N.C. (WNCT) — A Kinston man is in custody and charged with death by distribution after a fatal overdose.
On April 8, around 8:30 a.m. officers with the Kinston Police Department responded to a reported fentanyl overdose at a residence of Carey Road.
There they found 28-year-old Andrea Grant unresponsive and after EMS’ efforts, Grant was airlifted to ECU Health and placed on life support.
An investigation by KPD detectives and members of KPD’s B-Squad identified 31-year-old Michael Oats as the fentanyl distributor.
The next day, KPD officers carried out a traffic stop involving Oats. During that stop on April 9, Oats was taken into custody and found to be in possession of marijuana laced with fentanyl, marijuana, and a firearm.
Andrea Grant was removed from life support on April 11 and died from her condition. After this, detectives obtained warrants on Oats for Death by Distribution.
Oats remains in custody at the Lenoir County Jail.
In addition to Death by Distribution, Oats has been charged with the following:
- · Trafficking Fentanyl
- · Felony Possession of Marijuana
- · Possession of a Firearm by a Felon