Lincolnton, N.C. Woman Charged With Selling Fentanyl That Led To An Overdose Death

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - A federal grand jury in Charlotte indicted Madison Dare Winslow, 24, of Lincolnton, N.C., for allegedly selling fentanyl that led to an overdose death, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

Kyle Burns, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in North Carolina and South Carolina, and Chief Tracy Ledford of the Maiden Police Department join U.S. Attorney King in making the announcement.

According to allegations in the indictment, on February 14, 2022, in Catawba County, Winslow did knowingly and intentionally distribute a controlled substance, that being fentanyl, that caused a victim's overdose death. The indictment also alleges that Winslow distributed fentanyl on April 4, 2022, which is after the date of the victim's fatal overdose.

Winslow is expected to make her initial appearance in court on Thursday, April 18, 2024. She is charged with one count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death and one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

The charges in the indictments are allegations. The defendant is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

In making today's announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked HSI and the Maiden Police Department for their investigation of the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Nick J. Miller of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Charlotte is prosecuting the case.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin and remains the deadliest drug threat in the United States. Laboratory testing indicates 7 out of 10 pills seized by Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) 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. That's equivalent to more than 376.7 million lethal doses of fentanyl - enough to kill every American across the country. So far this year, the 2024 fentanyl seizures represent over 82.6 million deadly doses.

For information and resources related to substance use disorder, please call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or visit the online treatment locator.