41-year-old Kevin O’Neal Carroll of Hickory will serve an active prison term of eight-to-10 years after pleading guilty to death by distribution of fentanyl during Catawba County Superior Court on October 23. The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Penn Broyhill, Superior Court Judge from Forsyth County. The defendant will serve his period of incarceration in custody of the North Carolina Division of Adult Corrections.
Carroll was sentenced in connection with an incident in which a 31-year-old female victim was found deceased following an overdose at a Hickory apartment complex in September of last year. An investigation showed that the victim purchased fentanyl from Carroll prior to her death.
Carroll admitted to selling fentanyl to support his own drug use and told Investigators that he had supplied the drug to the victim. An autopsy showed that the victim died from fentanyl and methamphetamine toxicity.
Family members addressed the court as they remembered the victim and the circumstances surrounding her death, noting the significance of her loss and the impact it has had on them. Carroll offered an apology and told the court that he never meant to hurt anyone.
Josh Rector investigated the case for the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant District Attorney Howard Wellons handled the prosecution with aid from Legal Assistant Meredith Scott.
More on Hickory Man Sentenced after Pleading Guilty to Death by Distribution available on WHKY.
