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3 face drug charges following probe into suspected fentanyl death

Read the original article on the Sampson Independent website.

Three Clinton-area men are behind bars this afternoon, facing a multitude of drug charges related to an ongoing death investigation involving a 49-year-old woman believed to have died from a suspected fentanyl overdose.

Warrants were issued Tuesday for James Bradford, 38, 1200 Taylors Bridge Hwy., Clinton, Dustin Millen, 37, 1200 Taylors Bridget Hwy., Clinton, and Benjamin Rackley, 43, of 50 Quarterhorse Lane, Clinton, with Bradford being taken into custody Tuesday, Nov. 18, and Miller and Rackley jailed earlier today, Nov. 20.

Miller is facing charges of trafficking in Schedule II controlled substance (fentanyl), possession methamphetamine, maintaining a dwelling for the use or sale of a controlled substance, sell or delivery of a Schedule II controlled substance, conspiracy to sell or deliver a Schedule II controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to Sampson County Sheriff’s reports, Bradford was charged with trafficking in a Schedule II controlled substance (fentanyl), possession of methamphetamine, maintaining a dwelling for the use or sale of a controlled substance, possession of stolen property and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Rackley, reports show, was charged with maintaining a dwelling for the use or sale of a controlled substance, sell or deliver of a Schedule II controlled substance (fentanyl), conspiracy to sell or deliver a Schedule II controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The arrests come on the heels of a joint operation between the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division, the Special Investigation Division, the Uniform Patrol Division, the Criminal Interdiction Team and the Animal Control unit.

Sampson County Sheriff’s Capt. Marcus Smith noted in a release that a series of three search warrants were issued as a result of that operation, followed by the arrest of the three individuals.

The warrants were obtained, he said, as part of an ongoing probe into the 49-year-old Clinton woman’s death on Nov. 18, one suspected to be tied to a fentanyl overdose.

Leland man pleads guilty to death by distribution

Read the original article and watch the video on the WECT 6 website.

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – A Leland man has pleaded guilty to charges involving a fatal overdose in 2022.

42-year-old William McKinley Huckaby pleaded guilty to death by distribution and attempted trafficking in methamphetamine, according to a release from the District Attorney’s Office.

James Ray Lewis, 42, died from fentanyl toxicity on June 24, 2022. Investigators from the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office discovered a syringe and other drug paraphernalia near his body, which suggested fentanyl ingestion.

Detectives later discovered text messages between the two men. In one message, Huckaby encouraged Lewis to steal vacuums from a retailer in exchange for drugs, according to authorities.

The other messages also indicate that Huckaby had previously profited from tools Lewis stole in exchange for drugs, according to the DA’s Office.

Law enforcement claimed that Huckaby had roughly 26 grams of methamphetamine and a dosage unit of fentanyl on him when he was arrested.

“William Huckaby encouraged those severely addicted to opioids to steal merchandise for him with the promise of fentanyl for payment,” District Attorney Jason W. Smith said. “Huckaby’s exploitation of the addicted represents why our lawmakers enacted the Death by Distribution law. In many instances, severe addiction disrupts the decision-making parts of the brain, and those who profit while exploiting this addiction will be sent to prison.”

Huckaby was sentenced to 76 to 104 months in prison and 2 years in the residential recovery program TROSA afterward.

Burlington man charged with death by distribution in fatal overdose case

Read the original article on the ABC45 News website.

BURLINGTON, N.C. — The Burlington Police Department has charged Christopher Jacob Tidwell, 29, with death by distribution following a six-month investigation into a fatal overdose. The incident occurred on March 26, 2025, in the 2500 block of South Church Street in Burlington, N.C. Tidwell, a Burlington resident, was already being held on pending trafficking fentanyl charges related to the same investigation. He has not received a bond for these charges.

The Burlington Police Department emphasized its commitment to holding fentanyl traffickers accountable and pursuing justice for overdose victims.

“Fentanyl continues to be a leading cause of fatal overdoses across the nation,” the department stated, adding that it will “continue to work aggressively to identify and prosecute those who distribute this deadly substance.”

North Carolina man charged in fatal drug overdose in Burlington

Read the original article on the WXII 12 website.

BURLINGTON, N.C. —

A 29-year-old man is charged with a fatal overdose that occurred in Burlington.

The Burlington Police Department said the death occurred in March in the area of South Church Street. The Burlington Police Department’s Opiate and Violent Crime Unit (OVCU) charged Christopher Jacob Tidwell, 29, of Burlington with Death by Distribution following the six-month investigation. Tidwell was being held on pending trafficking fentanyl charges that originated from the same investigation and additionally charged with death by distribution. He did not receive a bond.

Sheriff Ronnie Fields announces the arrest of one individual following an investigation into an overdose death in the West End area of Moore County

Newport woman sentenced for 2nd-degree murder

Read the original article on the WNCT TV9 website.

BEAUFORT, N.C. (WNCT) — Amanda Alice Blanton, 36, of Newport, pled guilty to 2nd degree murder in the death of Daniel Andrew Brisson, 46, also of Newport, and has been sentenced to 238-298 months in the Department of Adult Correction during the most recent term of Carteret County Criminal Superior Court.

The case was investigated by the Carteret County Sheriff’s Office, and the lead investigator was Courtney Howell. Assistant District Attorney David L. Spence prosecuted the case and Resident Superior Court Judge Clint Rowe presided over the matter.

Newport woman pleads guilty to second-degree murder of Carteret Co. man

Read the original article on the Carteret County News Times website.

BEAUFORT – District Attorney Matt Wareham and Carteret County Sheriff Asa Buck announced that Amanda Alice Blanton, age 36 of Newport, pled guilty to Second-Degree murder in the death of Daniel Andrew Brisson, age 46 of Newport, and was sentenced to 238-298 months in the Department of Adult Correction during the most recent term of Carteret County Criminal Superior Court.

The case was investigated by the Carteret County Sheriff’s Office and the lead investigator was Courtney Howell. Assistant District Attorney David L. Spence prosecuted the case and Resident Superior Court Judge Clint Rowe presided over the matter. Pending the disposition of co-defendant cases in this matter a more detailed release will be issued.

The body of Daniel Andrew Brisson was found on Harris Street on March 20, 2022. Following an investigation, the Carteret County Sheriff’s Office deputies have charged two more people with murder in connection with his death.

The two individuals are Joshua Kenneth Clauson, 20, and Jason Allen Porter, 42, of Newport. Police accuse the three individuals—Clauson, Porter, and a third person—of working together to intentionally inject Brisson with methamphetamine and fentanyl, and then dumping his body on Harris Street. Clauson is being held without bond at the Carteret County Jail. Porter was charged with murder but is already serving an active prison sentence for violating probation.

Deputies: Man arrested in connection with WNC overdose death in March

Read the original article and watch the video on the FoxCarolina (WHNS) website.

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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Multiple arrests made in Hoke County in Robeson death by distribution case

Read the original article on The Robisonian website.

HOKE COUNTY — A man was arrested in Hoke County after he was wanted in a death by distribution case in Robeson County.

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.

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.

Following autopsy results, Rutherford County man charged with death by distribution

Read the original article on the ABC13 website.

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.

Ledbetter was given a $250,000 secured bond.