Category: Death by Distribution
Davidson County Sheriff’s Office Death by Distribution Arrest
Craven County authorities arrest Jacksonville resident linked to Vanceboro overdose death
Visit the WCTI News 12 website to read the original article and watch the video.
A Jacksonville man has been arrested and charged in relation to a 2024 overdose death in Vanceboro.
Robert Brinson Moore Jr., 43, was arrested on Nov. 28 by the Craven County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigation Bureau, in collaboration with the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations.
Moore’s arrest is in relation to the Sept. 14, 2024 overdose death of Morgana-Don Maliha Mahmud, 24, of Vanceboro.
Authorities say that at the time of his arrest, Moore had cocaine in possession.
Moore is currently confined in the Craven County Confinement Facility under no bond.
Deputies charge woman already in jail on $1 million bond with death by distribution
Read the original article and watch the video on the FoxCarolina News website.
RUTHERFORD, N.C. (FOX Carolina) – The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office said a woman already in jail on a $1 million bond has now charged with death by distribution.
According to the sheriff’s office, deputies were called to a home on Boiling Springs Road in Mooresboro in reference to a possible overdose on Oct. 31, 2025. The victim was provided medical aid and taken to the hospital where they later died.
Officials said a criminal investigation was initiated and on Nov. 19, a search warrant was executed at a home on Country Home Drive.
During the search, investigators said they found approximately 1,600 pressed fentanyl pills (192 grams), 28 grams of fentanyl powder, and a 9mm handgun.
As a result of the investigation, deputies said Amanda Blake Smith of Forest City was arrested and charged with the following:
- (2 counts) Trafficking opium or heroin
- Maintaining a vehicle/dwelling/place for a controlled substance
- Possession of marijuana (up to ½ ounce)
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
Smith was issued a $1,000,000 secured bond on those charges on Nov. 19, officials said.
The sheriff’s office said months later, Smith was additionally charged second-degree murder and death by distribution on Jan. 29, 2026. She will receive a bond for these new charges after she goes before a judge.
Investigation Leads to Second-Degree Murder and Death by Distribution Charges
North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation
New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office Death by Distribution
Second suspect arrested in deadly fentanyl distribution case
Red the original article and watch the video on the WECT website.
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – A second suspect has been arrested in connection with a fentanyl distribution that resulted in a death, according to the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office (NHCSO).
NHCSO deputies responded to a report of an unresponsive individual on Carolina Beach Road early Sunday, Jan. 11.
Deputies found Kenneth Howard Hudgins, who was pronounced dead at the scene due to an apparent overdose.
According to NHCSO, vice detectives determined during the investigation that Dawn Blankenship and Joshua Alberto Flores were involved in the delivery of fentanyl to Hudgins on Saturday, Jan. 10.
NHCSO officials said detectives found Flores on Sunday in possession of a trafficking-level quantity of fentanyl.
He was arrested and charged with trafficking fentanyl; death by distribution by sale; possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver fentanyl; and sale of fentanyl.
Flores appeared in court Thursday, Jan. 15. He received a $500,000 secured bond and was given a court-appointed attorney.
His next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 5 at 9 a.m.
Blankenship, 19, was arrested on Tuesday, Jan. 13, and charged with death by distribution; selling and delivering fentanyl; and possession with intent to sell and deliver fentanyl.
The assistant district attorney said at her court appearance Jan. 14 that Blankenship was with the victim when he died, but did not call 911 for about an hour.
Blankenship received a $250,000 bond during her court appearance and requested a court-appointed attorney.
Her next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 29 at 9 a.m.
Last of Four Individuals Charged in Death by Distribution Case
Fourth suspect in 2024 death by distribution case apprehended, held without bond
Read the original article on the WCTI12 website.
A fourth suspect has been arrested in connection with a death by distribution case that occurred in June of 2024, according to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.
Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to Hodges Rd. in Chocowinity, in reference to a female who was unresponsive on June 23, 2024. The victim was identified as Jacquelin Halley Hodges, and deputies started giving aid until EMS arrived on the scene. Jacquelin passed away after arriving at ECU Beaufort Hospital, BCSO says.
A preliminary investigation was conducted that evening by deputies, and a thorough follow-up investigation was conducted by Detectives. BCSO Detectives presented the case to the Beaufort County Grand Jury, following the conclusion of the investigation, and indictments were issued to four individuals in April of 2025 in relation to Hodge’s death.
Justin Whitmer, 39, of Newport News, VA, was arrested on Dec. 16, Newport, and was transferred to the Beaufort County Detention Center on Dec. 22, 2025, and received no bond. Whitmer was the fourth arrest as a result of a 2024 Death by Distribution case.
He faces the following charges:
- Felony Death by Distribution
- Second Degree Murder (felony)
Brandy Kinion, 42, of Chocowinity, was arrested on April 21 and was taken to the Beaufort County Detention Center, where she received a $250,000 secured bond for the following charges:
- Involuntary Manslaughter (felony)
- Accessory after the Fact (felony)
Eric Wiggins, 42, of Chocowinity, was confined on unrelated charges and was served in the Beaufort County Detention Center on April 21. Wiggins received an additonal $250,000 secured bond for the following charges:
- Involuntary Manslaughter (felony)
Layla Hoffman, 32, of Chocowinity, was arrested at the LAX International Airport in California on May 13, after deputies coordinated with federal law enforcement to arrest her when she returned to the United States, BCSO says. Deputies flew took custody of Hoffman on June 11. Deputies transported Hoffman back to Beaufort County, where she was taken to the Beaufort County Detention Center on a $1,000,000 bond for the following charges:
- Felony Death by Distribution
- Second Degree Murder (felony)