RUTHERFORD COUNTY, N.C. (FOX Carolina) – The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office reports arresting a man in connection with an overdose death in March.
Chad Ledbetter(Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office)
Deputies said they responded to Ozzie Drive in Bostic regarding a death investigation on Mar. 29. Investigators received an autopsy report on Sept. 29, where a fentanyl overdose was determined to be the cause of death.
Chad Ledbetter was arrested by the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, Spindale Police Department, and Road Patrol deputies on Friday on warrants for death by distribution and sell or deliver a controlled substance, according to deputies.
Ledbetter was given a $250,000 secured bond after his arrest.
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HOKE COUNTY — A man was arrested in Hoke County after he was wanted in a death by distribution case in Robeson County.
DeAngelo Gerald Cobb
The Hoke County Sheriff’s Office announced that on Tuesday members of the Narcotic/Vice Suppression Unit (NVSU), Robeson County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Apprehension Team served an arrest warrant on DeAngelo Gerald Cobb at his residence in the 1800 block of Balfour Road, just north of the Robeson County line outside of Red Springs.
Cobb was wanted out of Robeson County for an arrest warrant in reference to a death by distribution case.
While doing a safety sweep of the home, law enforcement observed marijuana, suspected psilocybin mushrooms, and firearms in plain view. The residence was seized and detectives with the NVSU obtained a narcotic search warrant.
Devin Shytel Southerland-Clark
While serving the search warrant, approximately 4 1/2 pounds of marijuana were found in various rooms throughout the house. Detectives also located four firearms, THC resin, bulk US currency, suspected methamphetamine, packaging materials, and other items of marijuana paraphernalia.
Cobb was transported by Robeson County detectives for the service of their arrest warrant prior to the search being completed.
Detectives with the NVSU swore out additional warrants for Cobb for four counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver marijuana, possession of a Schedule-I controlled substance, maintaining a vehicle/dwelling for the sell/delivery of a controlled substance, and possession of marijuana paraphernalia.
Wednesday, the arrest warrants from Hoke County Sheriff’s Office for DeAngelo Cobb were served in Robeson County. Cobb was given a $100,000.00 secured bond for the Hoke County charges and remained in the Robeson County Jail.
After the search, Virginia Carol Clark, Devin Shytel Southerland-Clark, Jacoby Anthony, Ryan McKoy, and Miah Sade Mitchell were placed under arrest by Hoke County Sheriff’s Office and transported to the Hoke County Detention Center.
Clark, Southerland-Clark, McKoy, and Mitchell were all charged at the Hoke County Detention Center with possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver marijuana, possession of a schedule I controlled substance, maintain a vehicle/dwelling for the sell/delivery of a controlled substance, and possession of marijuana paraphernalia.
Each received a $20,000 secured bond and a first appearance court date.
The Hoke County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the US Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force and Robeson County Sheriff’s Office. The investigation is still ongoing.
RUTHERFORD COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — After receiving autopsy results from a death that reportedly happened in March and after consulting with the District Attorney’s Office, Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office detectives have charged a man with death by distribution.
According to a news release, Chad Ledbetter was identified as a suspect after a person was found deceased on March 29 at a residence on Ozzie Drive in Bostic. The autopsy report, which was received by investigators on Sept. 29, determined the cause of death to be fentanyl overdose.
After conducting interviews, reviewing evidence, and consulting with the District Attorney’s Office, investigators obtained warrants on Oct. 3 for death by distribution and sell or deliver a controlled substance, the release said.
On that same day, detectives with the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, Spindale Police Department and Road Patrol Deputies arrested Ledbetter on Hamilton Street in Spindale.
The Wake County Sheriff’s Office has arrested and charged a woman in connection with the overdose death of a man earlier this year.
A woman has been charged in connection with the fentanyl overdose death of a man she allegedly sold drugs to earlier this year, the Wake County Sheriff’s Office said.
On March 29, deputies responded to a home on Panther Lake Road in the southern part of Wake County for a death investigation and found 39-year-old Matthew Godbold unresponsive, according to a news release. The initial investigation pointed to a possible overdose.
Evidence submitted to the Wake County Bureau of Forensic Services tested positive for fentanyl, the release stated.
Deputies determined Lauren Tasha Olsen, 37, had sold drugs to Godbold that led to his death. She was charged Monday with aggravated death by distribution and with felony sell/deliver a schedule II controlled substance, according to the release.
In 2017, Olsen was convicted of attempted drug trafficking of a schedule I controlled substance, court records show. She was sentenced to between 2 years and 1 month and 3 years and 6 months in jail, with her parole ending in May 2020.
Fatal drug overdoses down in North Carolina
Godbold’s death comes as the number of fentanyl and other overdose deaths in North Carolina has declined.
There were 259 suspected overdose deaths in June 2025 compared to 275 in June 2024, according to the N.C. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. There was an 8% decrease in such deaths year to date (1,541) compared to January to August 2024 (1,666).
There were 175 fentanyl-positive deaths in April 2025 compared to 204 in April 2024. There was a 28% decrease in such deaths year to date (588) compared to the same time period in 2024 (822), the medical examiner’s office reported.
A woman was arrested Monday and charged with the fatal overdose of a man earlier this year.
A woman was arrested Monday and charged with the fatal overdose of a man earlier this year.
On March 29, the Wake County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a death investigation at a home off Panther Lake Road. They found 39-year-old Matthew Godbold unresponsive inside the home.
Their initial investigation indicated that the cause of death was a possible overdose.
Officials collected and sent evidence to the Wake County Bureau of Forensic Services for testing, which determined that substances found at the scene tested positive for fentanyl.
Deputies determined that 37-year-old Lauren Olsen sold drugs to Godbold that ultimately led to his death. The WCSO did not provide details as to how they connected Olsen to him.
On Monday evening, deputies arrested Olsen and charged her with aggravated death by distribution and felony sell/deliver a Schedule II controlled substance. She is scheduled to appear in court for the first time for this offense Tuesday afternoon.
According to court records, Olsen has a previous arrest history related to possessing drugs and drug paraphernalia from other counties.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid. When manufactured by pharmaceutical companies and approved by the FDA, it can be safely used to treat patients in severe pain. The synthetic fentanyl leading to many overdose deaths is made in unregulated labs, pushed by drug cartels, and put in various drugs as a cheap way to produce extremely strong substances.
The fentanyl crisis continues to devastate families across North Carolina, even as overdose deaths decline. Back in late May, Gov. Josh Stein called for a special unit to investigate fentanyl trafficking across the state.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Wake County prosecutors allege a Garner woman sold a fatal dose of purple fentanyl — which began appearing on local streets earlier this year — in March, according to the Wake County Sheriff’s Office.
Prosecutors said 39-year-old Matthew Godbold’s father called 911 on March 29 after finding his son unresponsive at home.
“They found the victim, Matthew Godbold, deceased in the living room. He was kneeling on the floor. His upper body was slumped over the couch. He had blue lips and was cold to the touch. Additionally, there was drug paraphernalia nearby the deceased,” Wake County prosecutors said Tuesday during a court hearing.
Investigators determined Godbold died from overdosing on purple fentanyl. Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine, according to the NC Department of Health and Human Services. Just two milligrams, the size of a few grains of salt, can be fatal.
Drug dealers dye fentanyl purple and other colors as a way to distinguish themselves, according to Raleigh police and the Wake County Sheriff’s Office. It’s often laced with other drugs, like tranquilizers, making it even more lethal.
“It’s just a coloring agent that’s added to regular fentanyl for marketing purposes, for drug dealers to make their product look better. However, the most common thing that we’re seeing are the small blue fentanyl pills,” said Lt. David Bradford with Wake County Sheriff’s Office.
Prosecutors believe Godbold’s fatal dose came from Lauren Olsen, who has a long history of drug charges. She appeared in court Tuesday to face charges of aggravated death by distribution and selling a Schedule II controlled substance.
“The death by distribution charge here is an aggravated charge that is due to the defendant’s previous conviction for attempted trafficking of opioids,” prosecutors said.
Court records show Olsen was convicted of that attempted trafficking charge in 2017. Prosecutors also said Olsen has a history of failing to appear for court dates.
A Spring Lake man is accused of providing a drug that killed a woman who recently moved to Harnett County from Arizona.
A Harnett County Grand Jury indicted 34-year-old Issac Anthony Ortiz, of 415 Wapiti Drive, on a charge of death by distribution for allegedly selling Michale Ryan the fentanyl that killed her between Sept. 7 and Sept. 10.
Ryan, 32, had recently moved to the area, according to Harnett County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Spencer Elmore. The woman was found dead in her home earlier this month. Investigators believe her death was caused by an overdose of the deadly opioid.
“The investigation revealed, prior to Michale’s death, Issac Ortiz provided or sold illegal narcotics to Ryan, causing her to become deceased,” said Elmore. “This is still an ongoing investigation.”
The indictment was returned on Sept. 15. Ortiz was arrested on Tuesday.
He is being held under a $500,000 secured bond. In his first court appearance, Wednesday, Judge Brian E. Lewis appointed attorney Jesse W. Jones to represent Ortiz in court proceedings. His next court date was set for Nov. 10.
In an affidavit of indigency submitted to the court on Tuesday, Ortiz claimed he is self-employed as a landscaper. His spouse, Zorina Chase is self-employed in retail clothing, he noted in the court record. Ortiz listed his monthly income at $3,000 and claims five dependents. He reports his monthly expenses as $2,200.
Ortiz pleaded guilty to a previous charge of misdemeanor larceny in another case last year. He was ordered to pay a fine of $100 and court costs of $203.
MONROE, N.C. (News Release) — Monroe Police arrested Amber Nabia Gingham, 38, of Monroe, charging her with Death By Distribution in connection with the fatal overdose of Johnny Reyes-Matos.
On July 20, 2025, at 7:11 a.m., Monroe Police responded to a 911 call reporting an unconscious victim at a home on Caleb Street in Monroe. Despite lifesaving efforts, Reye-Matos was pronounced dead. The cause of his death was determined to be a drug overdose.
Following an extensive investigation, investigators determined Amber Gingham was the individual who supplied the narcotics that led to Reyes-Matos’ death. Investigators pursued leads and gathered evidence leading to the issuance of an arrest warrant for Gingham.
Gingham was taken into custody on September 23, 2025 and is being held at the Union County Detention Center without bond.
At the time of her arrest, Gingham was out on bond for multiple felony drug charges stemming from an August 28, 2025 narcotics investigation at her home. During that investigation, Monroe Narcotics Detectives charged Gingham with the following:Maintaining a Dwelling for Controlled Substances
3 Counts of Possession With Intent to Manufacture, Sell or Deliver Controlled Substances
PWIMSD Cocaine
Possession of Marijuana
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Possession of a Controlled Substance Inside Jail Facility
The Monroe Police Department continues to work diligently to hold individuals accountable for illegal drug distribution and the tragic consequences that follow.
Anyone with additional information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the Monroe Police Department at 704-282-4700.
