wnct Archives - Fentanyl Victims Network of North Carolina fentvic.org

Two charged after law enforcement finds fentanyl in search of vehicle

Read the original article on the WNCT9 On Your Side website.

WILLIAMSTON, N.C. (WNCT) — Two people were charged after a traffic stop near the intersection of Technology Blvd. and U.S. Highway 64 Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Law enforcement officers said they smelled an odor of marijuana and saw evidence in plain view of controlled substances.

Deputies with the Martin County Sheriff’s Office responded and searched the vehicle. The search found 37 grams of fentanyl, digital scales and about $700.

Donta Antwan Valentine, 41, of Windsor, was charged with:

Trafficking opium by transportation
Trafficking opium by possession
Possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a controlled substance
Substances within 1,000 feet of a school
Possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a schedule II controlled substance
Possession of drug paraphernalia

Valentine was jailed without bond for 48 hours.

Tineshia Latrice Brown, 34, of Lewiston-Woodville, was charged with:

Trafficking opium by transportation
Trafficking opium by possession
Possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school
Possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a schedule II controlled substance
Possession of drug paraphernalia

Brown was also jailed without bond for 48 hours.

Alleged Williamston drug dealer arrested during fatal overdose investigation

Read the original article on the WNCT9 On Your Side website.

MARTIN COUNTY, N.C. (WNCT) — Law enforcement officers with the Martin County Sheriff’s Office arrested a suspect connected to a fatal overdose from May.

On May 23, deputies arrived at Tammy Lane in Williamston to assist with reports of an overdose. Deputies found the individual deceased, prompting an investigation.

Investigators determined that Donta Antwan Valentine was involved in delivering the drugs to the victim before their death.

On July 22, law enforcement arrested Valentine at a Williamston motel. Detectives searched his room and reported that they found more than 100 grams of methamphetamine along with digital scales.

A Martin County magistrate revealed that Valentine was already on pre-trial release at the time of his arrest. Valentine was taken to the Catawba County Detention Facility, where he is being held without bond on one case and under a $2 million secured bond on a second.

“The distribution of illegal narcotics continues to devastate families and communities across our state. Those who choose to profit from selling these deadly substances must understand that they will be held accountable for their actions. I commend Lieutenant Roebuck, Agent Raynor, Sergeant Harrell, Deputy Murphy, and everyone involved in this investigation for their professionalism, dedication, and tireless efforts,” said Sheriff Drew Robinson. “The Martin County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to aggressively investigating overdose deaths, holding drug dealers accountable, and doing everything within our power to protect the citizens of Martin County.”

Kinston drug dealer arrested after fatal overdose

Read the original article on the WNCT 9 News website.

KINSTON, N.C. (WNCT) — A Kinston man is in custody and charged with death by distribution after a fatal overdose.

On April 8, around 8:30 a.m. officers with the Kinston Police Department responded to a reported fentanyl overdose at a residence of Carey Road.

There they found 28-year-old Andrea Grant unresponsive and after EMS’ efforts, Grant was airlifted to ECU Health and placed on life support.

An investigation by KPD detectives and members of KPD’s B-Squad identified 31-year-old Michael Oats as the fentanyl distributor.

The next day, KPD officers carried out a traffic stop involving Oats. During that stop on April 9, Oats was taken into custody and found to be in possession of marijuana laced with fentanyl, marijuana, and a firearm.

Andrea Grant was removed from life support on April 11 and died from her condition. After this, detectives obtained warrants on Oats for Death by Distribution.

Oats remains in custody at the Lenoir County Jail.

In addition to Death by Distribution, Oats has been charged with the following:

· Trafficking Fentanyl
· Felony Possession of Marijuana
· Possession of a Firearm by a Felon

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.

North Carolina man charged with death by distribution in fentanyl overdose

Read the original article on the WNCT-TV 9 website.

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.

Pamlico County man arrested for Death by Distribution

Read the original article on the WNCT-TV 9 website.

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.

Deputies with sheriff’s office now serving as School Resource Officers in Beaufort County

Read the original article on the WNCT 9 On Your Side website.

BEAUFORT COUNTY, N.C. (WNCT) — Students in Beaufort County Schools were welcomed back this week with help from the sheriff’s office.

Deputies served as School Resource Officers throughout schools in the district. They’re replacing a third party police force used for the past three years.

There are 13 deputies, meaning each school in the district gets one. On the first day of school, SROs were seen greeting students at car rider lines, giving them high fives and tying their shoes in the hallways.

Having the local sheriff’s office provide school security has been a work in progress since winter.

“To be honest, there’s nothing better than your local sheriff’s department being able to provide school resource officers into our schools each and every day,” Beaufort County Schools Superintendent Dr. Matthew Cheeseman said. “And through that, you’ll see them out at our athletic contests, extracurricular activities and so let’s celebrate them as they celebrate and protect our students and staff. Perfect.”

In order to become a SRO, a 40-hour SRO certification programs has to be completed. During that training, school security is practiced in addition to courses on ethics and leadership.

Each SRO is a sworn police officer and is armed. They’ll be making sure buildings are secure, alarm systems are working, doors are not propped and students and staff feel safe.