new hanover county Archives - Fentanyl Victims Network of North Carolina

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.

Leah Blankenship and Joshua Alberto Flores(New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office)

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.

New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office: Death by Distribution

Three people arrested in connection to a fatal overdose in New Hanover County

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

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, N.C. (WECT) – Three people have been arrested in connection to the fatal overdose of an 83-year-old in New Hanover County.

The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office (NHCSO) says on Dec. 6, 2024, deputies found an 83-year-old woman dead inside her home on Horndale Drive in New Hanover County.

On Jan. 10, deputies arrested 30-year-old Michael Britt, 46-year-old Daniel Reaves, and 45-year-old Melissa Norris-Cribb in connection to the overdose.

Britt was charged with:

Death by Distribution
Trafficking in Opium or Heroin/Fentanyl
Trafficking Methamphetamines
Possession with the intent to Manufacture, Sell and Deliver Fentanyl
Sell and Deliver Schedule I (Fentanyl)
Conspiracy to Sell Schedule I (Fentanyl)
Maintain/Sell/Deliver/Possess within 1000 feet of a school
Possession of a firearm by a felon

According to NHCSO, Britt received an additional 23 drug-related charges and has a $1,190,000 secured bond.

Cribb was charged with:

Death by Distribution
Possession with the intent to Manufacture, Sell, and Deliver Schedule I (Fentanyl)
Sell and Deliver Schedule I (Fentanyl)
Conspiracy to Sell Schedule I (Fentanyl)

According to NHCSO, Cribb received a $155,000 secured bond.

Reaves was charged with:

Death by Distribution
Possession with the intent to Manufacture, Sell, and Deliver Schedule I (Fentanyl)
Sell and Deliver Schedule 1 (Fentanyl)
Conspiracy to Sell Schedule I (Fentanyl)

According to NHCSO, Reaves received no bond as he waits for his first appearance in New Hanover County Superior Court.

NHC Sheriff’s Office arrest suspect in fatal overdose case

Read the original article and watch the video on the WECT6 News website.

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a suspect involved in a fatal overdose investigation that started in May of last year.

Michael Lawrence Walker Jr. was arrested on Friday, Nov. 8 and is suspected of selling and delivering fentanyl to 28-year-old Hannah Holt on May 7, 2023.

Holt was found dead inside an apartment building on Tesla Park Drive. .

Walker was charged with death by distribution, second-degree murder, PWIMSD Sch II CS and sell/deliver Sch II CS. He received no bond and awaits his first appearance in New Hanover County Superior Court.