Authorities arrested Donta Octovius Williams after linking him to the drug-related death of an adult and the death of a baby by dehydration.
DAVIDSON COUNTY, N.C. — A man has been arrested after a grand jury indicted him on charges of death by distribution and second-degree murder related to the deaths of an infant and an adult who were found dead inside a home in Davidson County in June 2024, the sheriff’s office says.
Deputies said the adult victim’s cause of death was suspected to be a drug overdose.
During the investigation, deputies identified Donta Octovius Williams from High Point as the person who gave the drugs to the adult victim while the baby was there.
Once the toxicology and autopsy results were received, the cause of death for the adult was shown to be due to Fentanyl Toxicity. The cause of death for the baby was due to dehydration.
On March 24, a State Grand Jury returned true bills of indictment for Williams on the charges of death by distribution and second-degree murder,
On March 27, members of the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office and High Point Police Department arrested Williams on the criminal indictments without incident. He was taken to the Davidson County Jail with the pre-condition of release set to a $750,000 secured bond.
A man arrested during a drug bust earlier this week is now facing a murder charge for his alleged involvement in an overdose death.
On May 27, 2024, deputies with the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a residence on Highland Avenue in reference to a possible cardiac arrest that appeared to be an overdose.
Upon arrival, deputies found the victim, Johnathon Pruitt, deceased inside the home.
During the investigation, authorities spotted 63-year-old Kenneth Ray Melton leaving the home on foot. Investigators spoke with Melton and he gave consent for investigators to search him. Law enforcement found multiple baggies of fentanyl on Melton.
Melton was arrested and charged with the following:
Possession with intent to manufacture sell and distribute a Schedule II controlled substance
PENDER COUNTY, N.C. (WECT) – A Wilmington man has been arrested in connection to a death by distribution investigation in Pender County.
The Pender County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) says Anthony Quinn Marshall has been charged for allegedly causing the death of Jessica Kelly of Currie, NC.
Deputies and Pender Emergency Services responded to Blueberry Road where they found Kelly unconscious. Responders attempted life-saving measures but were unsuccessful and she was pronounced dead.
“Through investigation, detectives concluded that the cause of death was due to a fatal overdose,” a PCSO representative wrote in a press release.
Marshall was arrested on Feb. 24 and placed in the Pender County Jail under a $250,000 secured bond.
According to his arrest warrant, he was charged with death by distribution, sell/deliver cocaine, sell Sch II controlled substances, possession with the intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver (PWIMSD) cocaine, PWIMSD Sch II controlled substances, manufacture Sch II controlled substances, manufacture cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Ashley Lane (far right) poses for a photo with her son Ashton (from left), eldest daughter Alyssa and youngest daughter Cali.
Ashley Lane was happy being a stylist, but she also was a friend and a therapist to people who were struggling, even when her own mental health and substance abuse got the better of her, her family said.
On Monday, a Durham man was accused of selling the fentanyl that caused Lane, 39, to overdose Dec. 28 at The Graduate Hotel in downtown Chapel Hill. She died on Dec. 31 at UNC Hospitals.
Aaron Donald Brooks, 40, is charged with felony death by distribution sale, possession with intent to sell and deliver a controlled substance, sale or delivery of a controlled substance, and possession of a controlled substance, court records show.
He is being held in the Orange County jail under $300,000 secured bail, records show.
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WNCN) — A philosophy instructor at Durham Technical Community College was arrested Monday in connection with a deadly overdose in Chapel Hill last December, court records show.
Aaron Donald Brooks, 40, of Durham was indicted in Orange County Court on a death by distribution through unlawful sale of a controlled substance. He is also charged with felony possession of a Schedule I controlled substance, selling/delivering a Schedule I controlled substance, and possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver a Schedule I controlled substance, according to court records.
Court records show Brooks is accused of selling fentanyl to a woman on Dec. 28, leading to her death. The Chapel Hill Police Department filed the warrant for his arrest.
According to court records, Brooks was not given bond. He is scheduled to make his first appearance in Orange County Court on Monday.
Brooks was previously arrested on drug charges in Durham County on Dec. 11. The Durham County Sheriff’s Office filed the warrants for his arrest. He posted a $25,000 secured bond the following day prior to his arrest on drug charges in Orange County, according to court records.
In connection with a Durham County incident on Nov. 21, according to court records, Brooks is charged with delivering methamphetamine (two counts), selling methamphetamine (two counts), possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver methamphetamine, trafficking in methamphetamine, and possessing drug paraphernalia.
Court records show Brooks is charged with manufacturing/selling/delivering a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a park and maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance, in connection with a Durham County incident on Dec. 11.
Brooks’ next appearance in Durham County Court on these charges is scheduled for March 10, according to court records.
According to the Duke University website, Brooks is an instructor of philosophy at Durham Tech.
Brooks’ LinkedIn says he joined Durham Tech in August 2019 and has taught at the school for over five years. Prior to Durham Tech, he was a tutor at the Duke University Athletic Department in 2013 and a chaplain at the Duke University Health System from 2013 to 2014. He holds a Master of Divinity from Duke Divinity School.
According to Durham Tech, Brooks has been on administrative leave since his arrest in December. He has not been allowed on campus or to contact employees or students.
School officials said they are exploring their next steps with the advice of legal counsel.
The Durham County Sheriff’s Office has indicated none of Brooks’ charges are related to Durham Tech, according to the school.
LENOIR, N.C. — A woman has been accused of giving a deadly dose of fentanyl to a woman in Concord.
Last February, Hayli White was found along Misty Wood Lane, but police believe the drugs were sold to her in Caldwell County.
“Still shock and disbelief,” said White’s stepfather, Dustin Carswell. “You expect to see her come through the door at night, and she doesn’t. It just doesn’t seem real still.”
The Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office said they originally arrested Jessica McMahon four days after White’s death.
Deputies told Channel 9′s Dave Faherty that they seized fentanyl and other narcotics concealed in a hide-a-can they believe she purchased online that looks like a bleach and carpet cleaner bottle.
At the time, McMahon was charged with trafficking, but deputies said they were unaware of White’s death in Concord.
The Concord Police Department alerted them to the death ten days later after finding text messages in White’s phone.
Caldwell County Sheriff Kevin Bean said one of his top priorities since taking office last August is stopping the sale of fentanyl and other drugs and preventing tragedies like White’s.
“It’s my belief that if drug dealers sell this poison to our children and family members and a death occurs, they should be charged with first-degree murder and sent away for life,” Bean elaborated.
White’s family said they hoped the arrest would prevent another senseless death, and they believe by speaking out they’ll possibly help someone else.
“We understand that it’s not going to bring Hayli back, and we just don’t want other families to go through what we have during the past year,” said Carswell.
“It’s not uncommon, you know. And you just don’t think it’s going to happen to you or your family,” said White’s sister, Makenzie Kepler.
McMahon was arrested again on Monday in connection with this incident. She has been charged with death by distribution and is being held in jail under a $500,000 bond, sheriff’s deputies said.
A Wallace man is behind bars and charged in relation to an overdose death from March, 2024.
Elijan Eddie Robinson was arrested on Monday, Feb. 17, by the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Division following an investigation that began on March 7, 2024.
In March, 2024, Deputies responded to a call on NC 50 South in Rose Hill where they found Jacey Newkirk was found deceased in her residence.
Per a release, through an ongoing investigation, narcotic investigators with the DCSO Special Operations Division (SOD) with assistance from the DCSO Criminal Investigation Division (CID) determined that the victim had obtained narcotics from Robinson prior to her death. On February 13, 2025, the North Carolina State Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that the cause of death was a fentanyl overdose.
As a result of the investigation, Elijah Eddie Robinson has been charged with:
Death by Distribution (Felony – 1 Count)
Robinson is currently being held in the Duplin County Jail on a $250,000 bond. Sheriff Stratton Stokes would like to thank Beulaville Police Chief Karl Mobley for his assistance in this case as well.
ROSE HILL, N.C. (WNCT) — A Duplin County man was charged with death by distribution in connection to a fentanyl overdose death in Rose Hill in March of 2024.
Elijah Eddie Robinson, of Wallace, was identified as a suspect after an investigation by the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office after deputies responded to a call on South N.C. Highway 50 where a female identified as Jacey Newkirk was found dead in her home.
The death appeared to be the result of an overdose. Investigators found Newkirk had gotten narcotics from Robinson prior to her death. On February 13, 2025, the N.C. State Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed Newkirk’s death was due to a fentanyl overdose.
Robinson was jailed in the Duplin County Jail under a $250,000 bond.
The Pamlico County Sheriff’s Office has announced three arrests in connection with fatal drug overdoses.
The first happened on Jan 30, 2024, when the PCSO responded to a call at 338 Foxwood Trail in Reelsboro regarding an unresponsive female later identified as Jacqueline Mantia, according to officials. Mantia’s cause of death was later determined to be due to a drug-related overdose and investigators identified Richard Evans as the individual responsible for delivering the controlled substance that led to Jacqueline Mantia’s fatal overdose, per officials. Evans was arrested on January 31, 2025, and charged with Death by Distribution of Controlled Substance.
Per a release, “in an unrelated investigation, on December 4, 2023, the Pamlico County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call at 215 Shingle Brook Road in the Olympia Community of Pamlico County in reference to an unresponsive male. Upon arrival responding deputies discovered the body of Jason Stultz deceased of an apparent drug overdose.
Following a thorough investigation, it was determined that the cause of death was a drug-related overdose. The Craven County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit assisted with the investigation, and through cooperation among multiple agencies, two individuals were identified as suspects.
Investigators identified Lisa Bass and Steven Smith, both residents of Craven County, as the individuals responsible for selling and delivering the controlled substance that led to the fatal overdose of Jason Stultz. Bass and Smith have been charged with Death by Distribution of Controlled Substance.
Both suspects were arrested by other agencies under the issued warrants and subsequently transferred to the Pamlico County Detention Center.”
Sheriff Chris Davis made the following statement regarding the case:
“It is our goal to continue to arrest those responsible for distributing this poison to our family and friends in Pamlico County. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families that have and continue to be negatively affected by this type of behavior. Another solid investigation by the men and women of the Pamlico County Sheriff’s Office.”
The Pamlico County Sheriff’s Office urges the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity or information related to the distribution of illegal substances.
The Pamlico County Sheriff’s Office is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all citizens in Pamlico County through proactive law enforcement and community partnership.
Richard Evans, 61 from Reelsboro charged with one count of Death By Distribution of Controlled Substance, and Posses Weapon of Mass Destruction. Hughes is being held on a secured bond of $100,000.00 Bond.
Lisa Bass, 53 from Craven County charged with one count of Death By Distribution of Controlled Substance. Bass is being held on a secured bond of $100,000.00 Bond.
Steven Smith, 52 from Craven County charged with one count of Death By Distribution of Controlled Substance. Smith is being held on a secured bond of $150,000.00 Bond.
PAMLICO COUNTY, N.C. (WNCT) — Pamlico County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call regarding an unresponsive female on January 30.
The female was later identified as Jacqueline Mantia. After investigation, it was discovered that the cause of death was a drug-related overdose. Investigators identified Richard Evans as the person responsible for delivering the controlled substance that led to Mantia’s death.
Evans was arrested on January 31 and charged with Death by Distribution of Controlled Substance.
