A Lincolnton woman faces federal charges linked to a fatal fentanyl overdose of a Maiden teenager.
Madison Dare Winslow, 24, was indicted on federal charges of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, U.S. District Attorney Dena King said in a news release on Wednesday.
Winslow was initially charged by the Maiden Police Department in September 2022. Winslow was charged with death by distribution, four counts of conspiracy to traffic opium or heroin, possession of a Schedule II controlled substance with intent to sell or deliver, maintaining a vehicle, dwelling or place for the use or sale of a controlled substance and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, Maiden police said in 2022.
The overdose victim was a 17-year-old from Maiden.
According to the indictment, on Feb. 14, 2022, in Catawba County, Winslow distributed a controlled substance, identified as fentanyl, that caused an overdose death. The indictment also said that Winslow distributed fentanyl on April 4, 2022, which is after the date of the victim’s death, King said.
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Winslow is expected to make her initial appearance in court on Thursday. Winslow is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
US attorney describes danger of fentanyl
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin. Fentanyl remains the deadliest drug in the United States, King said in the release.
Laboratory testing indicates seven out of 10 pills seized by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration contain a lethal dose of fentanyl. According to the DEA, in 2023, the agency seized more than 79.5 million fentanyl-laced fake pills and nearly 12,000 pounds of fentanyl powder, King said.
The fentanyl seized by the DEA in 2023 is equivalent to more than 376.7 million lethal doses of fentanyl — enough to kill every American. So far in 2024, the DEA has seized enough fentanyl to administer more than 82.6 million deadly doses, King said.