Silver Spoon Man Charged with Death by Distribution

A Silver Spoon Road man is in Brunswick County Detention after he allegedly provided the narcotics that killed a man.

Dylan Mark Fowler, 32, of 9620 Silver Spoon Rd., Clarkton, was arrested Wednesday on charges of second degree murder, death by distribution or sale of fentanyl, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver the drug, and sale and delivery. His bond was initially set for $200,000, but the bond was removed after his first appearance today in Brunswick County court.

 On March 21, according to the indictment, Fowler provided a quantity of fentanyl to Austin McLean in Brunswick County. McLean overdosed and died from the drug.

Death by distribution, as it is commonly called, became law in North Carolina in December 2023. According to the General Statute, a person is guilty of death by distribution if they sell at least one type of illegal narcotic; someone dies from using that drug; and the defendant sold the illegal drugs to the user who died.

Controlled substances that can be considered in the law are opioids; synthetic or natural salt, usually referred to as “bath salts”; any opioid compound; cocaine; methamphetamine; depressants; or a mixture of substances.

Only a handful of people have been charged with death by distribution and the attached second degree murder charge since the law went into effect. Law enforcement and prosecutors lobbied for the change due to the rising number of opioid related deaths.

Fowler was arrested by Columbus county Deputies at his home between Chadbourn and Bladenboro.