Wilmington Man Sentenced to Prison for Fatal Fentanyl Overdose in Carolina Beach
WILMINGTON, N.C. — A Wilmington man has been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to charges connected to a fatal fentanyl overdose in Carolina Beach that claimed the life of a 2022 victim.
According to the Carolina Beach Police Department, 25-year-old Ethan Faircloth was convicted for his role in the death of Dennis “Nash” Connor, who was found dead from an overdose inside a home on Hamlet Avenue on September 7, 2022.
Fatal Overdose Traced to Fentanyl-Laced Pills
Investigators say Faircloth sold Connor several blue, round pills that were later found to be laced with fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that continues to drive record overdose deaths across North Carolina.
When Faircloth was arrested, police reportedly recovered 80 fentanyl-laced pills identical to the ones sold to the victim.
He was subsequently charged with death by distribution and attempted trafficking in opioids or heroin.
“Fentanyl is extremely lethal. Some drug dealers are selling pills that are made to look like real pharmaceutical drugs, but they’re actually manufactured in illegal labs and can kill with even a small dose,” said District Attorney Jason W. Smith.
Court Sentencing and Rehabilitation Terms
Faircloth pleaded guilty earlier this week and received a prison sentence of 5 to 8 years. After serving his time, he will spend two additional months at the TROSA residential recovery facility, a Durham-based program focused on rehabilitation and substance abuse recovery.
Prosecutors said the sentencing reflects the growing push to hold dealers accountable for overdose deaths linked to illicit fentanyl.
“Even a portion of one counterfeit pill can be deadly,” Smith added. “Anyone selling or delivering fentanyl in any form should expect to end up behind bars.”
Fentanyl’s Deadly Grip on North Carolina
North Carolina continues to battle the fentanyl crisis, with hundreds of deaths reported statewide each year. The synthetic opioid, up to 50 times stronger than heroin, is frequently mixed into counterfeit pills and other street drugs without users knowing.
Officials warn that the smallest amount — even as little as two milligrams — can be fatal.
Law enforcement agencies across the state, including in New Hanover County, are working to increase community awareness and strengthen criminal penalties for distributors linked to fatal overdoses.
Community Response and Awareness
Local advocacy groups have praised the conviction but stress that long-term solutions require both accountability and prevention. Programs like TROSA aim to help offenders and addicts break free from the cycle of addiction and drug-related crime.
Residents are urged to learn how to recognize overdose symptoms, use naloxone (Narcan) in emergencies, and seek immediate medical help for anyone showing signs of distress after drug use.
For more updates on local crime and public safety cases, visit SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
