Images

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.

Woman charged with killing man who overdosed on fentanyl, Wake sheriff says

Read the original article on the Raleigh News & Observer website.

The Wake County Sheriff’s Office has arrested and charged a woman in connection with the overdose death of a man earlier this year.

A woman has been charged in connection with the fentanyl overdose death of a man she allegedly sold drugs to earlier this year, the Wake County Sheriff’s Office said.

On March 29, deputies responded to a home on Panther Lake Road in the southern part of Wake County for a death investigation and found 39-year-old Matthew Godbold unresponsive, according to a news release. The initial investigation pointed to a possible overdose.

Evidence submitted to the Wake County Bureau of Forensic Services tested positive for fentanyl, the release stated.

Deputies determined Lauren Tasha Olsen, 37, had sold drugs to Godbold that led to his death. She was charged Monday with aggravated death by distribution and with felony sell/deliver a schedule II controlled substance, according to the release.

In 2017, Olsen was convicted of attempted drug trafficking of a schedule I controlled substance, court records show. She was sentenced to between 2 years and 1 month and 3 years and 6 months in jail, with her parole ending in May 2020.

Fatal drug overdoses down in North Carolina

Godbold’s death comes as the number of fentanyl and other overdose deaths in North Carolina has declined.

There were 259 suspected overdose deaths in June 2025 compared to 275 in June 2024, according to the N.C. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. There was an 8% decrease in such deaths year to date (1,541) compared to January to August 2024 (1,666).

There were 175 fentanyl-positive deaths in April 2025 compared to 204 in April 2024. There was a 28% decrease in such deaths year to date (588) compared to the same time period in 2024 (822), the medical examiner’s office reported.

Woman charged with selling fentanyl that led to fatal overdose, Wake County deputies say

Read the original article on the WRAL TV5 website.

A woman was arrested Monday and charged with the fatal overdose of a man earlier this year.

A woman was arrested Monday and charged with the fatal overdose of a man earlier this year. 

On March 29, the Wake County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a death investigation at a home off Panther Lake Road. They found 39-year-old Matthew Godbold unresponsive inside the home.

Their initial investigation indicated that the cause of death was a possible overdose. 

Officials collected and sent evidence to the Wake County Bureau of Forensic Services for testing, which determined that substances found at the scene tested positive for fentanyl. 

Deputies determined that 37-year-old Lauren Olsen sold drugs to Godbold that ultimately led to his death. The WCSO did not provide details as to how they connected Olsen to him. 

On Monday evening, deputies arrested Olsen and charged her with aggravated death by distribution and felony sell/deliver a Schedule II controlled substance. She is scheduled to appear in court for the first time for this offense Tuesday afternoon. 

According to court records, Olsen has a previous arrest history related to possessing drugs and drug paraphernalia from other counties. 

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid. When manufactured by pharmaceutical companies and approved by the FDA, it can be safely used to treat patients in severe pain. The synthetic fentanyl leading to many overdose deaths is made in unregulated labs, pushed by drug cartels, and put in various drugs as a cheap way to produce extremely strong substances.

The fentanyl crisis continues to devastate families across North Carolina, even as overdose deaths decline. Back in late May, Gov. Josh Stein called for a special unit to investigate fentanyl trafficking across the state. 

Spring Lake man charged in deadly deal

Read the original article on The Daily Record website.

A Spring Lake man is accused of providing a drug that killed a woman who recently moved to Harnett County from Arizona.

A Harnett County Grand Jury indicted 34-year-old Issac Anthony Ortiz, of 415 Wapiti Drive, on a charge of death by distribution for allegedly selling Michale Ryan the fentanyl that killed her between Sept. 7 and Sept. 10.

Ryan, 32, had recently moved to the area, according to Harnett County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Spencer Elmore. The woman was found dead in her home earlier this month. Investigators believe her death was caused by an overdose of the deadly opioid.

“The investigation revealed, prior to Michale’s death, Issac Ortiz provided or sold illegal narcotics to Ryan, causing her to become deceased,” said Elmore. “This is still an ongoing investigation.”

The indictment was returned on Sept. 15. Ortiz was arrested on Tuesday.

He is being held under a $500,000 secured bond. In his first court appearance, Wednesday, Judge Brian E. Lewis appointed attorney Jesse W. Jones to represent Ortiz in court proceedings. His next court date was set for Nov. 10.

In an affidavit of indigency submitted to the court on Tuesday, Ortiz claimed he is self-employed as a landscaper. His spouse, Zorina Chase is self-employed in retail clothing, he noted in the court record. Ortiz listed his monthly income at $3,000 and claims five dependents. He reports his monthly expenses as $2,200.

Ortiz pleaded guilty to a previous charge of misdemeanor larceny in another case last year. He was ordered to pay a fine of $100 and court costs of $203.

Monroe woman charged with death by distribution in July overdose death

Read the original article on the WCCB Charlotte website.

MONROE, N.C. (News Release) — Monroe Police arrested Amber Nabia Gingham, 38, of Monroe, charging her with Death By Distribution in connection with the fatal overdose of Johnny Reyes-Matos.

On July 20, 2025, at 7:11 a.m., Monroe Police responded to a 911 call reporting an unconscious victim at a home on Caleb Street in Monroe. Despite lifesaving efforts, Reye-Matos was pronounced dead. The cause of his death was determined to be a drug overdose.

Following an extensive investigation, investigators determined Amber Gingham was the individual who supplied the narcotics that led to Reyes-Matos’ death. Investigators pursued leads and gathered evidence leading to the issuance of an arrest warrant for Gingham.

Gingham was taken into custody on September 23, 2025 and is being held at the Union County Detention Center without bond.

  • At the time of her arrest, Gingham was out on bond for multiple felony drug charges stemming from an August 28, 2025 narcotics investigation at her home. During that investigation, Monroe Narcotics Detectives charged Gingham with the following:Maintaining a Dwelling for Controlled Substances
  • 3 Counts of Possession With Intent to Manufacture, Sell or Deliver Controlled Substances
  • PWIMSD Cocaine
  • Possession of Marijuana
  • Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
  • Possession of a Controlled Substance Inside Jail Facility

The Monroe Police Department continues to work diligently to hold individuals accountable for illegal drug distribution and the tragic consequences that follow.

Anyone with additional information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the Monroe Police Department at 704-282-4700.

Monroe woman, out on bond, charged with fatal overdose

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

MONROE, N.C. — Amber Nabia Gingham, a 38-year-old woman from Monroe, has been charged with death by distribution following the fatal overdose of Johnny Reyes-Matos in July, Monroe police said.

Officers arrested Gingham after determining she supplied the narcotics that led to Reyes-Matos’ death on July 20. Reyes-Matos was found unconscious at a home on Caleb Street and was pronounced dead despite lifesaving efforts.

Following an extensive investigation, Monroe Police gathered evidence that led to an arrest warrant for Gingham.

She was taken into custody on Tuesday and is being held at the Union County Detention Center without bond.

At the time of her arrest, Gingham was already out on bond for multiple felony drug charges related to an August 28 narcotics investigation at her home.

During that investigation, she was charged with maintaining a dwelling for controlled substances, possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver controlled substances, possession of cocaine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and possession of a controlled substance inside a jail facility.

Translate »