Despite funding increases and legislative support, North Carolina’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner remains backlogged due to a national shortage of pathologists and a surge in subpoenas requiring experts to testify in person.
Getting an autopsy report in North Carolina after someone dies can take months. Despite recent funding for the medical examiner’s office, prosecutors say the backlog of autopsies is slowing down justice.
Simply put, the state’s medical examiner’s office is overloaded. A huge influx in funding helped. But what’s straining the system isn’t the caseload now, it’s the courts.
Dorleen Richardson is waiting for an autopsy on her husband, Antony, who was killed by Johnston County deputies on Jan. 25 following a mental health crisis. Her garage is still riddled with bullet holes, reminding her of the day he died.
“His feet were there, and his body was there,” Richardson said pointing to the floor of her garage.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — A “prolific” Franklin County fentanyl dealer who was linked to a drug death and fentanyl marketed to children was sentenced to at least 10 years in federal prison this week, federal prosecutors said Friday.
Ahmod Talley was arrested in June 2025 after he was pulled over and found with “perversely labeled” fentanyl with terms like “Try This” and “Life Support,” a U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of North Carolina news release said.
Ahmod Maliq Talley (inset) in a photo from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Franklin County Sheriff’s Office file photo by CBS 17
Talley sold fentanyl to the overdose victim just three days before the death, and the “Try This” stamped fentanyl was also found at the overdose death scene, the news release said.
Later, Raleigh and Franklinton raids of Talley’s home and his grandmother’s house led to the discovery of guns and fentanyl “marketed at children” stamped “Goosebumps,” prosecutors said.
“This sentence sends a message, understand clearly: when you sell deadly poison to our kids and families just to make a little bit of money, you will pay serious consequences,” U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle said in the news release.
In addition to fentanyl, prosecutors said raids of homes in Raleigh and Franklinton discovered cocaine, heroin, and marijuana.
A federal order along with Talley’s conviction also said officials would seize guns, including:
Glock 23 pistol
Kahr P380 pistol
Delton 5.56 rifle
All ammo associated with each firearm
Talley’s guns and drugs were found in homes in Franklinton and Raleigh in mid-January 2025, according to an order of forfeiture in a plea deal with the prosecution.
As part of a plea agreement, officials said Talley pleaded guilty to:
conspiracy to sell and possess with the intent to sell heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine
possession with intent to sell heroin and fentanyl
possession with intent to sell cocaine
two counts of possession of a gun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime
“This prolific drug dealer earned every day of his prison sentence, and the residents of Eastern North Carolina will be safer while he’s locked up,” Boyle said in the release.
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations worked on the investigation into Talley, the news release said.
Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II sentenced Talley in the case on Tuesday. Court officials recommended that Talley serve time at the Federal Prison in Butner.
WILMINGTON, N.C. – A federal judge sentenced Ahmod Talley to over 10 years in federal prison for selling fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine in Franklin County. On January 14, 2026, Inmate Talley pleaded guilty to conspiracy to sell and possess with the intent to sell heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine, possession with intent to sell heroin and fentanyl, possession with intent to sell cocaine, and two counts of possession of a gun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
“We recognize the devastating impact drug addiction and overdoses have on families in our communities. This sentence sends a message, understand clearly: when you sell deadly poison to our kids and families just to make a little bit of money, you will pay serious consequences. Dope dealers lose their freedom for decades. This prolific drug dealer earned every day of his prison sentence, and the residents of Eastern North Carolina will be safer while he’s locked up. Simple Lesson: Drugs Kill, Prison Awaits – Do Right.” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle.
The investigation into Inmate Talley’s drug dealing started after a fatal drug overdose in Franklin County. Franklin County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated and determined that Inmate Talley sold fentanyl to the victim three days before the death. Ultimately, law enforcement pulled Inmate Talley over, and found a loaded .40 caliber handgun, bindles of fentanyl labeled “Try This” (like the ones found in the overdose victim’s house) and bindles perversely labeled “Life Support.” Law enforcement searched Inmate Talley’s house, finding a .380 caliber pistol, cocaine, and marijuana. They also searched Inmate Talley’s grandmother’s house, where they found a rifle and 350 bindles of a heroin and fentanyl mix stamped “Life Support” and, apparently marketed at children, “Goosebumps.”
“Today’s sentence underscores the power of coordinated law enforcement efforts to hold drug dealers accountable when their actions cost someone their life,” said Mark M. Zito, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations Charlotte. “Through the combined work of the FCSO, HSI, and our partners in the Eastern District of North Carolina, HSI remains committed to targeting those who distribute lethal fentanyl and other narcotics in our communities at the expense of public safety.”
Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. FCSO and HSI investigated the case, and Assistant United States Attorney Casey L. Peaden prosecuted the case.
Two people from Lee County were arrested Thursday after being accused of selling fentanyl with a child present, deputies said.
Lee County deputies said an investigation found that 32-year-old Felipe Jaimes Jr. and 39-year-old Leemary Davila Rosado were working together to sell and deliver fentanyl in Lee County.
According to deputies, the pair had their child present with them while they were delivering the drugs.
The two were each charged with:
4 counts of trafficking fentanyl
3 counts possession with intent to sell and deliver fentanyl
3 counts of exposing child to controlled substnace
2 counts of felony conspiracy
3 counts of possession of drug paraphernalia
During their first court appearances, both Jaimes and Rosado were given a $2 million bond each.
BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — Fentanyl-related deaths in Buncombe County have declined from a recent peak, but law enforcement officials say the drug continues to move into the community through established trafficking routes and remains a serious threat.
Data from the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner shows Buncombe County recorded 66 fentanyl-positive deaths in 2025, down from 82 in 2024 and significantly lower than the peak of 144 deaths in 2022.
Emergency department data shows a similar trend. Buncombe County recorded 336 overdose-related emergency room visits in 2024, compared to 521 in 2023, according to state health data.
Still, Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Chris Stockton said the presence of fentanyl remains widespread.
“It’s funneling in across Buncombe County. There’s not just one singular common spot. It can be anywhere,” Stockton said.
Stockton said what investigators see locally is tied to a broader supply chain driven by demand within the community.
MARCH 31, 2026 – Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Chris Stockton said the presence of fentanyl remains widespread. (Photo: WLOS Staff)
“You have local folks within the community that know of demand and they just source out to find folks who are eventually linked into much larger organizations,” Stockton said.
Those larger networks often begin outside western North Carolina.
“Most prevalent ones we’re seeing right now are starting at a port in either Charleston or Wilmington,” Stockton said. “They’ll make their way from there to Charlotte, Knoxville, and Atlanta, and from there into our community.”
Investigations into fentanyl cases can begin in several ways, including overdose calls, tips, or information from other agencies.
“All of the above,” Stockton said. “They can start with an overdose, a community complaint, or information from other agencies.”
While deaths have declined in recent years, Stockton said fentanyl remains especially dangerous compared to other drugs.
“With fentanyl specifically, it takes a very, very minute amount to bring very quick, sudden death,” he said. “That was not something that we dealt with 20 years ago.”
Stockton said recent declines in overdose deaths may be tied to factors such as increased availability of naloxone, improved training for recognizing overdoses and expanded response programs in Buncombe County. However, he said those improvements have not eliminated the problem.
“At the same time, those fatalities are tragically still happening very often,” he said.
Law enforcement officials also point to the overlap between drug trafficking and firearms as a continuing concern. Stockton said narcotics operations often involve weapons used to protect drugs and money, increasing the risk of violence.
Even with arrests and enforcement efforts, Stockton said the issue continues to evolve.
“Yes, we do see recidivism very commonly,” he said. “And at the same time, humans are very adaptational creatures. If I’m really good at something and I can make a lot of money doing it, it would take a very significant motivator for me to change my behavior.”
He added that there is no simple solution.
“There is no instant solution to that problem,” Stockton said. “As long as there is a demand, people will find a way to bring the supply.”
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – Two people have been arrested after a child was removed from a home deemed unsafe by the Columbus County Department of Social Services.
The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) said it is investigating a child endangerment case after a referral about suspected substance abuse.
CCSO officials said that Lynn Richardson and Katelynn Richardson, the primary caregivers, were charged with exposing a child to a controlled substance and exposing a child to a controlled substance by ingestion.
According to arrest warrants, the child was 6 years old. Investigators allege the child had ingested and been exposed to methamphetamine.
Both caregivers were arrested and are being held on a $35,000 secured bond each.
The incident remains under investigation, and officials said additional charges are possible pending further medical and forensic evaluations.
BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (WSPA) – The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office has filed charges against two people after a child was exposed to illegal drugs.
The Buncombe County SRO division said on February 11, a child was brought to school experiencing symptoms of an exposure to illegal drugs. Detectives opened an investigation along with the Buncombe County Department of Social Services.
As part of the investigation, a search warrant was executed on February 25 at a home on Crofoot Trail in Woodfin.
Ashley Elizabeth Cook and Shane Kurt Gurley were both charged with exposing a child to a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Gurley was also served with an order for arrest for failing to appear in court.
North Carolina General Statute 14-318.7, exposing a child to a control substance, is a new law that went into effect on December 1, 2025.
“Children are dependent on their caregivers for a safe environment in which they can grow and thrive,” said Buncombe County District 2 Captain Chris Stockton. “We are proud of the efforts of our team who passionately sought to bring accountability for the victim in this incident. Our hearts go out to the victim in this situation, and we hope these efforts facilitate a safe environment in which to grow and thrive for years to come.”
Officials said the child and other family members are receiving aid.
MCDOWELL COUNTY, N.C. (FOX Carolina) – The McDowell County Sheriff’s Office reports a couple were arrested after child tested positive for drugs.
A detective spoke with 39-year-olds Preston and Bethany Hensley on Jan. 13 after a referral from the McDowell County Department of Social Services, officials said.
Deputies report an investigation led to the children in the Hensley’s home being tested for narcotics exposure. A search warrant was also executed at their residence in Marion before 17 grams of cocaine were located.
Preston & Bethany Hensley(McDowell County Sheriff’s Office)
The Hensley’s were both charged with exposing a child to a controlled substance, possession of cocaine and maintain a vehicle, dwelling or place for controlled substance.
Bethany was issued a $75,000 secured bond on the first charge and a $20,000 secured bond for the other two. Preston was initially denied bond for the first charge due to being out on pretrial release. He was issued a $25,000 bond for the other charges.
