Elizabethton, TN – A Carter County man is facing a felony murder charge years after an overdose death that investigators say was linked to drugs he allegedly sold.
According to the Carter County Sheriff’s Office, Darrell Lewis, 53, of the Stoney Creek community, was arrested Thursday after a grand jury indictment charging him with second degree murder. The charge stems from a 2021 overdose death at a residence in Hampton.
Investigators said the case began on May 5, 2021, when deputies responded to a report of an overdose. A 39-year-old man was found dead inside the home. An autopsy later determined the cause of death was a drug overdose.
According to investigators, evidence showed the victim had purchased the drugs that led to the fatal overdose from Lewis. The findings were presented to a Carter County grand jury earlier this month, resulting in the indictment.
Lewis was booked into the Carter County Detention Center on Thursday evening and later released after posting a $100,000 bond, according to jail records.
Carter County Sheriff Mike Fraley said the investigation was lengthy and emphasized the dangers posed by fentanyl and other illicit drugs.
“Fentanyl is an extremely dangerous drug, and it poses a serious problem for our community,” Fraley said in a statement. “In addition to being potentially fatal to those who use it, fentanyl also poses a risk of death to those who are exposed to it accidentally.”
Sheriff Fraley added that investigators remain focused on identifying and prosecuting individuals who allegedly sell drugs that result in overdose deaths.
The case remains active. No trial date has been announced.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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