Fentanyl-laced crack caused four deaths in single day
ELIZABETH CITY — A Duplin County man was sentenced Monday to more than 16 years in prison for conspiracy and distribution of cocaine base (crack) and fentanyl. Four people died of overdoses on a single day in April 2021 after consuming drugs sold by the man, the U.S. Attorney’s Office stated in a press release announcing the sentence.
Marshall Ray Scarborough, 65, of Beulaville, was also ordered to pay the funeral expenses for all the victims. Scarborough pled guilty to the charges back in February.
“Drug dealers who lace fentanyl into their supply are killing Americans at record rates, and families across Eastern North Carolina are feeling the pain of burying their loved ones far too early,” said Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina. “Four of this fentanyl dealer’s customers had their lives snuffed out in a single day.”
Easley made the announcement after the sentencing by U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle, who gave Scarborough 200 months (16 years, eight months). The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office, the Wallace Police Department, and the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tyler Lemons prosecuted the case.
According to court documents and other information presented in court, deputies with the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office responded to three separate residences with unresponsive individuals, and the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office responded to a fourth. Efforts to revive individuals were unsuccessful.
In three of the four cases, autopsies were performed, and the cause of death was listed as acute fentanyl and cocaine intoxication. In the fourth case, no autopsy was performed, but a blood test revealed fentanyl, cocaine and diazepam. The investigation determined that Scarborough was the source of supply for the crack that all four victims had ingested, prosecutors said.
“This is a great example of what happens when we work together, and I commend the men and women who worked relentlessly in conducting a thorough investigation,” said Duplin County Sheriff Stratton Stokes. “Today, Marshall Scarborough was sentenced to a lengthy prison sentence in federal court, which ensures that he will no longer spread poison in our community, or other communities.
“I hope this brings some form of comfort and closure to the victims’ families,” Stokes continued. “Let this be a notice to anyone actively dealing narcotics or planning to deal narcotics in Duplin County. Our office will continue to work diligently with our local, state, and federal allies to rid our communities of these issues.”
Easley said such partnerships between federal authorities and county sheriff’s offices will continue to be the norm.
“Dealers should know the U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering local Sheriffs Offices to send fentanyl dealers to federal prison for the death and sorrow they sow.”
