Category: Press Release
𝐅𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫
Carteret County Leaders Honored for Fentanyl Crisis Response at Community Forum
This past Saturday, a community forum addressing the impact of fentanyl in Carteret County was held at the Beaufort Train Depot. During the event, Sheriff Asa Buck, District Attorney Scott Thomas, Assistant District Attorney Dave Spence, and Legal Assistant Michelle Gillikin, all of Prosecutorial District 4, were honored with the Save Lives Together Award for their collaborative work in holding fentanyl traffickers accountable. Additionally, Brooke Barnhill, manager of the County’s Post Overdose Response Team (PORT), provided a Narcan (naloxone) demonstration and outlined local recovery resources.
Carteret County issued a news release from the event.
TOWN HALL MEETING ABOUT FENTANYL
Wilson County & Adjacent NC Counties
TOWN HALL MEETING ABOUT FENTANYL (open to the public)
Wilson County & Adjacent NC Counties
Saturday, February 1, 2025, 2:00-4:00 pm
| Date | Saturday, February 1, 2025, 2:00-4:00 pm |
| Location | Foundation YMCA of Wilson 233 Nash Street Wilson NC. 27893 |
Contacts
- Barb Walsh, Executive Director, 919-614-3830
barb@fentvic.org. website: www.fentvic.org
Fentanyl Victims Network of NC (fentvic.org), 501(c)(3) EIN 88-3921380 - Local Co-Host: Lisa Bennett, Mother of Mason Bennett, Forever 22. Valued member of fentvc.org. Public safety, education & justice advocate. 229-873-5648 lisawbennett@me.com
Purpose
- SAVE LIVES! Public Safety Education Prevention Tools + Naloxone Distribution & Training
- Listen-Learn-Interview devastated fentanyl victim families. It could happen to anyone!
- Spark public safety conversations about the dangers of illicit fentanyl, particularly counterfeit pressed pills (Adderall, Xanax, Percocet), and access to life-saving naloxone in schools and the community
- Connect NC Fentanyl Victim Families to one another for support and advocacy.
Two Drug Traffickers Arrested Operating Near a County School in Beaufort
Social Media Fentanyl Dealer and Blood Gang Member Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison
Read the orignal article on the US Attorney’s Office Eastern District website.
WILMINGTON, N.C. – A Raleigh fentanyl dealer who used social media platforms to advertise his product was sentenced to 144 months in prison, which includes an enhancement for the defendant’s attempts to intimidate government witnesses. On April 25, 2024, Axel Rodriguez a/k/a “Flash,” age 23, pled guilty to conspiracy and trafficking of fentanyl.
“Drug traffickers are increasingly pushing deadly fake pills through social media. They’ve learned they don’t need to stand on street corners when they can reach kids on their smart phones,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “Counterfeit Oxycontin, Percocet, and Xanax sold on social media are driving addiction and overdose death. It’s time to get the word out and warn kids of the risks.”
According to court documents and other information presented in court, in March 2023, Rodriguez became the subject of a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Raleigh Police Department (RPD) investigation after he was identified as selling fentanyl in the Raleigh area using his Instagram account. Rodriguez regularly used his Instagram account to post pictures of the pills he was selling, as well as guns. Rodriguez would advertise that he was able to sell “K packs” of fentanyl pills, which is slang for 1,000 pills. Investigators reviewed Rodriguez’s Instagram account and observed numerous posts of firearms, gang members with firearms, and fentanyl pills for sale.
The investigation revealed Rodriguez was obtaining thousands of pills at a time and then distributing them in the Raleigh area. Between March and May of 2023, investigators conducted multiple controlled purchases of blue pills marked “M-30” from Rodriguez. For example, on March 13, 2023, investigators purchased 25 pills marked “M30.” The confidential informant reported that he observed four firearms in Rodriguez’s vehicle during that transaction. The pills tested positive for the presence of fentanyl.
Continue reading “Social Media Fentanyl Dealer and Blood Gang Member Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison”Fentanyl Fatality Victim Summit ROBESON County, Pembroke NC
| When | Saturday, September 21, 2024, 10:30am – 3:30pm. Doors open 10 AM |
| Where | Bear Swamp Baptist Church, 1948 St. Anna Road, Pembroke, NC |
| Who | Guest Speakers: Senator Britt, Representative Lowery, District Attorney Scott, Sheriff Wilkins & 40+ NC Fentanyl Victim Families available for on-site interviews |
***Private Event. Must pre-register. Press permitted with credentials. Free On-Site Lunch Provided***
Contacts
| Host: | Barb Walsh, Executive Director, 919-614-3830, barb@fentvic.org Fentanyl Victims Network of NC (fentvic.org), 501(c)(3) EIN 88-3921380 www.fentvic.org |
| Regional Co-Host: | Leslie Locklear, President, Fight4Me Foundation, 910-733-9788, info@fight4mefoundation.org 501(c)(3) EIN: 92-2765832 www.fight4mefoundation.org |
Click here or scan QR code to register.
Fentanyl Awareness Music Video Shoot & Fundraiser
PRESS RELEASE
FENTANYL AWARENESS MUSIC VIDEO SHOOT & FUNDRAISER ~ FREE!
Nonpartisan Family Fun Event with Kid Friendly Activities, Food Trucks & Free Naloxone
WHEN: Sunday, 5/19/24 from 12 noon – 4 pm with FREE PARKING
WHERE: Legion Stadium, 2149 Carolina Beach Road, Wilmington NC 28401
WHO: Open to the Public! Kid Friendly! FREE! Anyone who lost a loved one to fentanyl, allies, advocates for life-saving NALOXONE in ALL NC SCHOOLS, music lovers, students, educators, health care providers, publicity hounds, anyone who dreams of being in a music video, law enforcement, press, nonprofits, those in recovery.
CONTACTS:
Scott Maitland, Side-By-Side Entertainment, 516-304-6499, sidebysideent@gmail.com
Barb Walsh, fentvic.org, 919-614-3830, barb@fentvic.org
FEATURED ARTISTS: 22JAX & LADYDICE song collaboration “For Yall”
Z107.5 fm with Foz broadcasting live!
SCHEDULE 12-4pm: 12 gates open. Entire time = games, raffle, food & music. 1-2pm Nonprofits Speak on Dangers of Fentanyl & Urge Naloxone in ALL NC Schools & Public Spaces. 2-3pm Video Shoot. 3:30 Raffle Drawing.
NC NONPROFITS WHO FIGHT FENTANYL SAVE LIVES TOGETHER!
Fentvic.org, Fentanyl Victims Network of North Carolina
Forgotten Victims of North Carolina
Fight4Me Foundation
It’s Bigger Than Me: Michiko La’Deja Duff Foundation
FACTS:
- 17,212 NC residents’ fentanyl involved fatalities in 10 years. Fentanyl fatalities occur in all 100 NC Counties, 2013-Jan 2024 (NC OCME)
- 469 fentanyl fatalities in New Hanover County in 10 years 2013-3/2023 (NC DPH Injury&Prevention Branch Epidemiology Surveillance Informatics unit)
- 7 out of 10 ‘street’ pressed copy-cat pills contain lethal fentanyl additives (DEA 2023)
- 10 NC residents killed by fentanyl each day (NC OCME)
- This means 10 more NC families implode each day.
- NC is #4 in nation in fentanyl fatalities (CDC 2023) yet #10 in population.
- Fentanyl is leading cause of death in NC for 18–25-year-olds (CDC 2022)
- Links to NC fentanyl fatality data. Go to www.fentvic.org website, select RESOURCES tab, select NC COUNTY REPORTS, select COUNTY NAME you are interested in.
RULES: Have fun! Sandbags must be used for all tents and banners, no stakes in ground. No weapons of any kind. No alcohol. No political signs
Fentanyl Awareness Day @ NC General Assembly 5/1/24 fentvic.org
Be Seen ~ Be Heard ~ Be Remembered ~ Save Lives
| Date | Wednesday 5/1/24 10 am press conference (outside) followed by visits with their Representative and Senator. |
| Location | North Carolina Legislative Building 16 West Jones Street Raleigh NC 27601 |
Please RSVP to attend the event (optional).
Fentanyl Awareness Day @ NC General Assembly 5/1/24 fentvic.org
Be Seen ~ Be Heard ~ Be Remembered ~ Save Lives
| Date | Wednesday 5/1/24 10 am press conference (outside) followed by visits with their Representative and Senator. |
| Location | North Carolina Legislative Building 16 West Jones Street Raleigh NC 27601 |
Please RSVP to attend the event (optional).