A Whiteville man was among four fatal overdoses on fentanyl-laced crack cocaine that sent a Beulaville man to federal prison this week.
Marshall Ray Scarborough, 65, pled guilty in February to four counts of conspiracy and distribution of drugs, according to a U.S. Attorney’s Office press release. He was sentenced to 200 months in prison on Monday, and ordered to pay the funeral expenses for the victims.
Eric Sacco, 42, was one of four people who died in a single day after purchasing the drugs from Scarborough in 2021. The deaths took place in Columbus and Duplin County, according to the Eastern U.S. District Attorney’s Office.
According to court documents, 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.
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 used by all four victims.
“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 U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “Four of this fentanyl dealer’s customers had their lives snuffed out in a single day.”
“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.”
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle. 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.
