Orrville men federally indicted in fentanyl overdose

Two Orrville men were indicted in federal court for allegedly selling fentanyl to a man who later overdosed.

Kenneth L. Johnson, 46, and Joseph N. Carpenter, 33, were both indicted on one count of distribution of fentanyl, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Northern District of Ohio. The release added that the charge carries an enhancement due to the resulting death.

Johnson faces an additional charge of distribution of fentanyl.

Donald Hall, director of the Medway Drug Enforcement Agency, said the two have been charged after Drew Eberly, also of Orrville, died of an overdose at 316 N. Ella St.

Johnson was arrested earlier; Carpenter was arrested last week at a North Lawrence residence, Hall said. He noted that Carpenter was taken to jail after he was medically cleared. He suffered from shortness of breath.

The release indicates that Carpenter helped set up Eberly to purchase $20 worth of drugs from Johnson.

"Obviously it's enough to kill you," Hall said, concerning the amount of fentanyl in question.

"The speed with which these arrests were made likely saved lives," said Orrville Police Chief Matt Birkbeck. "This case sends a message to others engaged in this behavior that the time for warnings is over. These cases are being taken very seriously."

"We have the same problems like a city like Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati," Hall said previously.

Johnson is a convicted heroin dealer with numerous Wayne County cases.

Reporter Steven F. Huszai can be reached at 330-287-1645 or shuszai@the-daily-record.com. He is @GeneralSmithie on Twitter.

News Topics:
*click back button to return to news post list