Deputies have charged Adam Goff and Harry James Roller with involuntary manslaughter in the death of 28-year-old Michael Ward.
Deputies said Ward died last month at a home in the McColl area of Marlboro County due to an overdose.
Goff and Roller sold Ward the drugs that led to his death, according to Marlboro County Sheriff Larry McNeil.
“We believe in our investigation, that these people. These two people are responsible for the death of a person," said McNeil.
"We did start an immediate investigation, including sending the body off for an autopsy. The autopsy did come back as acute mixture of toxicity of fentanyl and methamphetamine. After speaking with witnesses, our investigation yielded that the night before Mr. Ward was given methamphetamine or fentanyl," said Investigator Clay Anderson with the Marlboro County Sheriff's Office.
Goff and Roller appeared before Marlboro County Magistrate Mia Weaver Wednesday afternoon for a bond hearing.
Anderson asked that bond be denied for the men due to the seriousness of the charges against them. Roller and Goff are charged with involuntary manslaughter as well as possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
Goff has also been charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine 2nd offense. At the time of Goff’s arrest, he was out on bond for other charges. And Anderson said when they arrested both men they had drugs on them.
Ward's family attended the bond hearings.
His mother, Susan Ward, pleaded with the judge to deny the bond.
“It’s just so indescribable. The pain will never go away. It’s never going to stop unless they keep these people locked up, it is never going to stop. Nobody or nothing can ever fill that hole. That was my baby boy. That was my only baby boy. I miss him so much. And I know that there is nothing going to bring him back," said Susan Ward.
Natalie Ward said it has been very hard for her three children, that she now has to raise without him.
“It is indescribable. I have three kids that are suffering. This is the end. I can’t pick up the pieces for them. There’s nothing I can do to make it better. They will always have to deal with this," said Natalie Ward.
Weaver denied bond for Roller due to his extensive criminal record.
Anderson said his record dates back more than 30 years with convictions in South and North Carolina.
Goff's bond was set at $100,000, but he has to stay away from Ward's family.
Sheriff McNeil is hoping the arrest of Goff and Roller sends a message to drug dealers in his county.
"We are having to be more reactive than anything. And that’s what we want to change. I don’t want to be reactionary. I want to try and get ahead of the game and it is very difficult. And what we are trying to do is let the public know that we are doing all that we can," explained McNeil.
He said the county has had six deadly overdoses so far this year.
“And drugs is a problem here. And we have to figure out how to deal with them and this is one way. Once people know that we are going to be going after those people who are selling, and we will be going after them, with the intent to do all we can to save as many lives as we possibly can," said McNeil.
Anderson said they're going to work every case as hard as they can to hold those responsible for overdose deaths.
“We are going to work around the clock. We are not going to stop. The drug dealers aren’t going to stop. We are not going to stop. We encourage the community to reach out to the sheriffs office with any kind of concerns or tips. And And we are getting tired of having these conversations with the families that are losing loved ones. To these crimes," said Anderson.
Roller and Goff told the judge they didn't sell any drugs to Ward because he was their friend.
Goff said he hadn't seen Ward for 48 hours before his death. Roller said Ward was his friend and he loved him and would never sell him drugs.
Ward's mother and family said they're just waiting for justice and believe that it's coming sooner rather than later.
"I just got to have the faith that he is where he needs to be. In the arms of Jesus right now. Regardless of the situation," said Susan Ward.
The investigation is ongoing.